22 THE HISTORY OF THE 



in the common schools, to teach the elements of the science 

 of agriculture, the constituents of soils and manures, the 

 physiology of plants and the philosophy of vegetation. 

 A notice had come to him that the State of New York 

 had made a liberal appropriation for a State Agricultural 

 School. He deplored that Massachusetts should be out- 

 done in a work so essential to her best interests. 



The Cattle Shows were very popular at this period, 

 taking the place of the former training days of the 

 militia as an autumnal holiday. Year by year new ex- 

 hibits varied the familiar series. Fruits and flowers had 

 appeared in 1835, bees and honey in 1844. Home indus- 

 tries in infinite variety made a fine display. As Mr. 

 Gregory had begun the cultivation of the tomato in 1841 

 this novelty probably had a place of honor. The new 

 breeds of cows were contending for supremacy. Col. 

 Moses Newell of West Newbury, one of the finest farmers 

 of his day, favored a cross of the Ayrshire and Alderney, 

 and the North Devon for oxen. Daniel P. King of Dan- 

 vers, farmer and statesman, and John W. Proctor claimed 

 that the Ayrshire was best adapted to this climate. 



But tree culture was perhaps the most engrossing 

 theme. The apple orchard, it was claimed by some, was 

 a neglected asset on most farms. But there were bril- 

 liant exceptions to this rule. William Thurlow of West 

 Newbury was gathering a thousand barrels a year, worth 

 $1,200, as early as 1824, from his 2,500 trees, the largest 

 and most productive orchard in the County. In 1843 

 George Thurlow received the first premium for his West 

 Newbury nursery, with 20,000 apple trees on a single 

 acre, and Joshua H. Ordway's nursery in the same town 

 received a premium the year before. 



The building of the railroad had facilitated competition, 

 the price of butter was depressed, farm products did not 

 find so ready a market. Allen W. Dodge of Hamilton, 

 lawyer and farmer, discussing the outlook in 1843, saw 

 great promise in the growing of the apple. "The apples 



