141 



REPORT OF DELEGATES TO FARMERS' CLUBS 

 AND FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATIONS. 



The Houghton Horticultural Society, of Lynn, has a 

 large number of enthusiastic members, and as a body have 

 acted as a City Improvement Society. They have caused 

 a large number of ornamental and shade trees to be planted 

 on many of the streets, they sometimes establish courses 

 of lectures during the winter, and annually hold an exhi- 

 bition of fruit, flowers and vegetables, continuing two 

 days and evenings, followed the next evening by a social 

 festival, with liberal refreshments. As Lynn is a spec- 

 ially favorable location for the growth of pears and other 

 fruit, their exhibitions are remarkable for the excellent 

 quality of the fruit shown. Many first premiums offered 

 by the Essex Agricultural Society are taken by members 

 of this society. Its influence has been very marked, by 

 the great advance in fruit culture and improved taste in 

 floriculture and arboriculture which makes Lynn appear as 

 a city of gardens. This is often remarked by strangers 

 who visit that city. 



The Marblehead and Swampscott Farmers' Club has 

 been organized six years. It has succeeded in enlisting 

 the interest of nearly all of the inhabitants of the farm 

 districts of the two towns. Old and young, male and fe- 

 male, are induced to become members. The annual mem- 

 bership fee is 50 cents ; children under twelve, 25 cents. 

 The ladies of the club have formed a supplementary club 

 called "The Helping Hands," and they have truly proved 

 what their name indicates. They hold weekly afternoon 

 meetings at their several homes, which have resulted in 

 providing for two fairs for the sale of fancy and useful ar- 

 ticles, the products of their taste and industry. These 

 fairs have netted some two or three hundred dollars, and 

 thus they have been enabled to help out the meagre in- 



