i3i 



ing" as a subject, who said that forest growths were a 

 necessity in this country to enrich the soil with their dis- 

 carded foliage ; by retaining water in the soil ; their pro- 

 tection against tornadoes, frosts, and other changes of cli- 

 mate, not only important in an agricultural view, but the 

 source of our water ways from which large industries 

 have sprung. 



He appealed for the use of our hardy trees and shrubs 

 in decorating and beautifying our homes and grounds and 

 to encourage all such efforts among our people. He gave 

 information of value on the hardy and desirable trees for 

 Essex county, their propagation, etc., and was pleased to 

 see the good effects of " Arbor Day" in many localities, 

 and that "tree planting" should be encouraged in all 

 rational ways. 



T. C. Thurlow, of West Newbury, followed Mr. Apple- 

 ton, and for half an hour interested his hearers with hints 

 from his own abundant experience. He thought more 

 attention should be given in our towns to public improve- 

 ments in the way of parks and adornment of streets and 

 home grounds. 



The 52d Institute, or " Ladies' Day,"* was held in 

 Plummer Hall, Salem, on March 25, 1887. The forenoon 

 subject being "Impressions of Farm and Peasant Life in 

 Austria and Germany," by Mrs. E. V. Gage, of Bradford, 

 and conveyed information of interest and value and 

 showed that most of the farm work of those countries was 

 done by women, and from her impressions and that of 

 others, who spoke afterwards, all agreed that our country 

 and New England especially, are far ahead of the old 

 countries of Europe in the intelligence, comfort, advan- 

 tages and mode of living, of her farming population. 



In the afternoon, Mrs. Maria II . Bray, of Gloucester, 

 opened the meeting, on " Flowers." Her essay contained 

 much of the sentimental in relation to them, as well as 

 information in regard to the commercial uses of many of 

 them. She was followed by others who gave practical 



