REPORTS OF COMMITTEES. 



PEAR ORCHARDS. 



The Committee on Pear Orchards would respectfully submit the 

 following Report : 



Tliis Committee consisted of five members. Two members not be- 

 longing to Fitcliburg were not present. But one Orchard was entered 

 for premium — that of Doctor Thomas Palmer, situated on Summer 

 Street, in Fitchburg. Therefore the duties of this committee were not 

 burdensome, and they very readily came to the conclusion to award to 

 Doct. Palmer the highest premium awarded by the Society. We 

 found in this orchard many things to commend ; the location, prepar- 

 ation of the land, plan and order of setting, the varieties, manure, 

 trimming, &c. The statement of Doct. Palmer being found herewith, 

 we recommend a careful reading to those who are interested in this 

 department of fruit-growing, as we believe that he deserves much 

 praise for having carried out so -faithfully his plan for a good pear or- 

 chard, and only hope that it may be an incentive for others to com- 

 mence in a like good work. Who does not like a well ripened, deli- 

 cious pear ? — an Early Summer, Eartlett, Seckel, Flemish Beauty, 

 Louise Bon De Jersey ? All doubtless confess the beauty of fine trees 

 and the luxury of good fruit. Yet but few who can do so, are wilHng 

 to put forth the necessary exertion and pains-taking to raise it. The 

 idea may have been somewhat prevalent that raising Pears was only 

 to be indulged in by a few, and could not come into general cultiva- 

 tion, like the Apple. This, we believe, is not correct ; but that the 

 Pear tree is as hardy in New England as the Apple tree, and for the 

 past five years the raising of Pears in Massachusetts has been quite as 

 profitable as raising apples, and requiring no more care than ought to 

 be given to otiier fruits in this climate. 



Your Committee would reconnnend setting out good Pear trees, 

 and no otlier. It certainly does not pay to set poor trees. Look at 

 the i-oots and the hcalthfulness of the l)ark, which will tell whether the 



