102 HAMPDEN SOCIETY. 



the cultivation of this fruit to the public, if they can have the 

 patience to watch over and train the vine. No other tree will 

 produce the same weight of fruit upon the same land, as this ; 

 and when we take into consideration its longevity, and its cer- 

 tainty of producing every year, it seems to the Committee, that 

 the only disease to which the grape is subject (the mildew,) may 

 be guarded against. 



But the apple is the fruit of New England, and of the early 

 varieties there was a plenty, and generally of good quality. 

 There is much complaint, that the winter fruit drops from the 

 trees ; and it is feared, that the early maturity may have a ten- 

 dency to shorten its duration the coming winter. Some orchards 

 in the northeast part of the county were injured by hail, and 

 the Committee would mention that they do not recollect a sea- 

 son when so much hail has fallen as in the present. Heavy 

 hail storms occurred in the northeast part of Springfield on the 

 20th and the 23d of June, and on the 26th of July. 



D. M. BRYANT, Chairman. 



Reclaimed Swamp Lands. 



The Directors say, two claims have been presented, and the 

 first premium has been awarded to T. K. D'Wolf, of Chester. 

 The other applicant is Joel Tucker, of Monson, whose state- 

 ment was not received seasonably, and is wanting in one of the 

 requisites for premium, a " detail of all incidental expenses." 

 Mr. Tucker has done an excellent work in this way, having 

 reclaimed a miry swamp, by ditching, &c., so that he has, the 

 present season, cut two tons of good hay to the acre, besides a 

 second crop on part of it. Four years ago, it produced nothing 

 of any value. 



T. K. D' Wolf's Statement 



The piece of land I offer for premium contains 12 acres and 

 9 rods. To describe its appearance at the time I purchased, 



