50 



seeking it, although we believe it one of the requirements of 

 the Society. However, enough valuable information has been 

 furnished to interest and instruct others, and we trust that 

 hereafter exhibitors, especially those receiving awards, will 

 feel it a pleasant duty to forward to the Chairman of the 

 Committee, soon after the close of 'the annual exhibition, an 

 unsolicited statement in regard to their exhibits, whether it 

 be fruits or anything else, with items of their own experience 

 which may benefit others, thus adding to the stock of knowl- 

 edge for the procurement and dissemination of which our So- 

 ciety was formed. 



Respectfully submitted for the Committee. 



David W. Low, Chairinan. 



EEPORT OF MRS. LUCY J. PRATT, OF DANVERS CENTRE. 



Danvers Centre, Oct. 23, 1876. 

 D. W. Low, Esq. : 



Sir : We received your circular, and although 

 we have no real report to make, will cheerfully and briefly 

 answer your questions as far as we may be able. 



Our orchard is small, only about 34 apple trees, with some 

 14 varieties. The soil is heavy and black. The trees are 

 nearly all in mowing field, and no particular enriching is used 

 except an occasional top-dressing of good stable manure ; no 

 digging round the roots or other means are used, — they are 

 simply let alone. 



Some half-dozen of the trees are quite old, but the remain- 

 der are young, very fair shape, flourish well, and bear well. 

 Of the starting of it I cannot say, except that no particular 

 pains were taken with it above the average. 



To the question of caterpillars and canker-worms I must 

 say, yea, yea. 



The pill we prepare for caterpillars is simply a bristle brush 

 on a pole, — give it a few good twists, and step on them. 



