Reports of Committees. 57 



for cooking is more universally liked, and commands a much higher price. 

 We hope therefore to see more pear orchards started in the county. 



The roots of the pear tree ruu more perpendicularly into the ground 

 than the apple. Pears, therefore, require a deep, dry soil, and are less in- 

 jured by the extreme droughts to which our climate is exposed. As their 

 limbs also run up more perpendicularly they will bear to be planted more 

 closely than the apple, so that on a given plot we can plant twice as many 

 pear as apple trees. 



A mistake of many young orchardists is to put out too great a variety. 

 — There is only one best variety. Amateurs differ as to which is the best, 

 but all agree that the varieties of both apples and pears which are letter A, 

 are few r iu number. 



Another mistake is to plant too closely. While the young trees are 

 mere whip^stalks, they seem far enough apart, but ere we arc aware, their 

 branches are interlaced and the sun's rays are excluded. 



We award as follows. 

 First premium on Apple Orchards, Orren Curtiss of Sheffield, $10 00 

 2d do., William Sprague of Alford, 8 00 



For the best Pear Orchard, Frank Curtiss of Sheffield, 10 00 



Respectfully submitted, 



Alexander Hyde, ) 

 ; Guy Day, > Committee. 



Charles Stork. ) 



RECLAIMED LANDS. 



The committee on reclaimed lands offer the following report. 



There were entered for premium seven pieces of one acre each and one 



of three acres. 



First piemium, Merrick G. Hall of Great Birriugton, $15 00 



2d do., Orren Curtiss of Sheffield, 12 00 



3d do., Walter Richards of Lenox, 8 00 



The three acre piece entered by Joshua A. B.irton of Stockbridge, was 



abandoned without an effort. 



R. N. Couch, Chairman. 



SEEDS AND VEGETABLES— FINAL REPORT. 



AWARDED AT ANNUAL MEETING, JAN. 13, IStO. 



For best bushel of coarse clover seed, Harvey Roys of Sheffield, $3 00 



For best bushel of medium clover seed, Abner Roys, Sheffield, $3 00 



2d do., Gi-aham Roys of Sheffield, 2 00 



Jarld Lewis, 



Henry Dresser, \- Committee, 

 J. II. Rowley, 



