112 



^ On the 23d. of June, 1848, notice was given to the Secre- 

 tary, by Dr. Andrew Nichols, of Danvers, that he had a 

 plantation of oaks, situate " on the northwestern brow of 

 Nichols Hill, in Middleton, made about the middle of May, 

 from acorns gathered the last autumn, which had come up 

 well, and the plants were then from one to six inches in 

 height." 



This plantation was entered by him for the premium 

 offered by Mr. Fay. 



Another entry was made by Mr. Wetherbee, for a planta- 

 tion made about the same time, on the farm of Mr. Fay, in 

 Lynn. 



The Committee visited both of these plantations, in the 

 autumn following, and found them in vigorous and healthy 

 condition ; plants sufficiently numerous, varying from three 

 to twelve inches in height. 



On the 8th of August, 1850, the following observations 

 were made by the Committee, upon Dr. Nichols plantation. 

 ,' Field rude, rough and briery. Plants varying from one 

 to four feet in height. The English oaks are much ahead 

 of the American, averaging twice the height. Tae trees 

 stand in hills about five feet apart, numbering about three 

 thousand on the lot. Early in the season the earth was 

 stirred about the trees and vacant spaces were supplied by 

 transplanting from hills that contained more than one ; 

 many of those thus moved have failed to grow. Between 

 the hills nature has had full possession, and blackberry and 

 other vines abound, with here and there a bunch of birches 

 or a stray poplar. Some of the English oaks have started 

 ahead at least two feet the present season." 



On the 1st of September, 1851, the following observations 

 were made on the same plantation. ,, The trees vary from 

 six inches to six feet in height. Most of them are between 

 one and two feet high. Many of them have a vigorous 



