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them more valuable than almost any other variety ; others 

 think less favorably of them. We would therefore recom- 

 mend their cultivation on different soils as they may be of 

 more value than they are generally supposed to be. 



We have also made further inquiry about the result of cross 

 grafting and find accumulated evidence in favor of the theory. 



We would therefore renewedly recommend experiments on 

 the subject, hoping and believing that good may result from it. 



Joseph How, Chairman. 



Methuen, Nov. 11, 1881. 



TREAD WELL FARM. 



Tlie lease under which the farm has been lield by Mr. 

 Thomas W. Pierce for seven years having expired on April 

 1st the committee made a new lease for five yeju's to Mr. David 

 P. Philbrick, at the rate of three hundred and fifty dollars per 

 year with the same provisions as to the quantity of manure to 

 be applied and general management which were in the former 

 lease. 



The Committee are pleased to report that the farm is now 

 under better cultivation and in a better condition in every way, 

 as they believe, than it has been since it came into the hands 

 of the Society, with the single exception of the pastures, 

 which are becoming somewhat foul from the spread of bushes 

 and wood wax — which it is desirable should be eradicated. 

 The buildings are in good condition. The annexed state- 

 ment of Mr. Philbrick, of the product of the farm, sliows that 

 its capacity for crops is much larger than has generally been 

 supposed, and places it among the best farms in the county. 

 The experiment required by the Committee in conformity with 

 the terms of the gift by Dr. Treadwell was in raising potatoes, 

 and will be shown by the statement of Mr. Philbrick to have 

 been an interesting one, which if continued on similar land 



