REPOKTS. 49 



set two rods apart and Peach trees between them. I use no manure 

 when setting the trees, but apply a mixture of wood ashes and lime 

 on the surface, around the trees once a year, amount from 2, to 4 

 quarts to each tree, according to size, — I have never used animal ma- 

 nure in my fruit orchard, preferring Ashes, Lime, Plaster and Salt- 

 petre, for the benefit of the trees. I use a w'ash for my trees as re- 

 commended in Coles American fruit book. Have never been much 

 troubled with the borer until this year, they have attacked my most 

 thrifty trees in great numbers. Had I scraped the trees at the sur- 

 face of the ground, and Avashed them thoroughly, in season, I think 

 I might have prevented them. There would probably have been a 

 ■ full crop of fruit this season, had it not been for the east winds which 

 prevailed at the time of blossoming and setting of the fruit, "\vhich 

 caused much of it to fall off, yet I estimate the crop worth $50 per 

 acre. I have other fields which have been set out about two years 

 and cultivated as above described, which are in a very flourishing 

 condition. So far as my experiments extend, I am decidedlj^ in fa- 

 vor of thorough cultivation of the ground, and a judicious annual 

 trimming and washing the trees, together with a good top-dressing of 

 ashes, lime &/C., as indispensable to a vigorous, healthy and produc- 

 tive Orchard. I prune my Peach trees by shortening the branch' 

 es at the extremities. I\Iy principal varieties are Crawford Early, 

 Yellow Rareripe, and Royal George, besides four or five other kinds. 

 The Committee were highly pleased -with the thrifty condition of 

 the large number of trees shown by Mr. Montague, and offer this as 

 another illustration of what can be done by perseverance and judic^ 

 ious management. 



PAOLI LATHROP, Chairman, 

 South Hadley, Oct. 22, 1851. 



ON MILCH COWS. 



The Committee on Milch Cows, having read the statements, and 

 decided according to the best of their judgment, as to the compara- 

 tive excellence of the cows exhibited, are happy to say, that with one 

 exception, they were of superior qualitj^ 



No. 2 was a cow entered by Alvan Barnard ; and by his statement, 

 (that she yielded 113 12-16 lbs. of milk in three days, ending Oct. 

 18, from which he churned 5 12-16 lbs. of butter) appears to be a 

 very valuable animal, and would have been entitled to a high premi' 

 um, had the conditions of the Society been complied with on his part. 

 We recommend to him a gratuity of $1,00, 



7 



