ESSEX SOCIETY. 43 



and thus perhaps leading to the discovery of its cure or preven- 

 tion, is a subject worthy of the careful attention and inquiry of 

 those engaged in their cultivation. 



Taking into view all the circumstances, the species of trees 

 offered for premium, their growth, vigor and general appearance, 

 as well as the number of specimens, the quality of the soils, and 

 the cultivation of the several nurseries examined, the Committee 

 award 



To Ephraim Woods, of Salem, the 1st premium of $10 

 To Wm. G. Lake, of Topsfield, the 2d " 8 



To James B. Cole, of Beverly, the 3d " Washing- 



ton's Letters on Agriculture. 



For the Committee, 



JOSEPH S. CABOT. 



Fruits. 



The exhibition of fruits this year has exceeded, in variety 

 and interest, any previous one held by the Society, and the spe- 

 cimens presented were generally fine and well grown. 



From the endless variety of fruits now presented in the cata- 

 logues, the difficulty seems to be in the selection of a limited 

 number for a small garden, The nurseryman finds his profit 

 in multiplying varieties, and it is the ambition of the amateur 

 who cultivates extensively, to swell his list of fruits, by the 

 addition of every thing which is new ; but the small grower re- 

 quires those kinds only which, by their good bearing qualities 

 and thrifty habits, are likely to repay him for the labor and care 

 bestowed in their cultivation : he should therefore endeavor to 

 select such good kinds as are suitable for his locality and soil. 

 It is well known that some varieties flourish in a strong loam, 

 others in a light and sandy soil, while a few, like the Bartlett 

 pear and the Baldwin apple, seem at home in every variety of 

 soil and exposure : hence the conflicting opinions of good culti- 

 vators, each giving the correct results of his own experience. 



