260 



Hon. Allen W. Dodge of Hamilton, read a list of the 

 plants and shrubs found in Amesbury and Salisbury, pre- 

 sented by Mr. Whittier. He also said, the field meetings of 

 the Institute possessed one interesting feature, in the fact, 

 that every trade and profession was represented, thus show- 

 ing that whatever else might principally engage their atten- 

 tion, yet they found time to devote to the study of nature, 

 and it was really astonishing how much may be learned by 

 persistent application. As an illustration of this he referred 

 to his own experience in a particular department of agricul- 

 ture — the nursery enterprise — in which he flattered himself 

 that he had been the instrument of good to the people of the 

 county, in many parts of which he could recognize fruit 

 trees that had passed through his hands. He hoped that, in 

 this regard, the world was better than when he found it. He 

 then paid a deserved tribute to the excellent Horticultural 

 Society in Amesbury. Mr. Dodge had noticed with interest 

 and concern that, in our vicinity, several kinds of fruit seem 

 to be now hardly worth cultivating. The Plum appears to 

 have seceded, the Cherry is feeble, and it was a rare thing 

 to get a Raie-Eipe. Fears were abundant and excellent last 

 year ; this year they do not promise so well. Quinces, once 

 so popular for preserves, had been superseded by the Cran- 

 berry. It was for the interest of the farmers of the county 

 to make the best of what they have left. Small fruits, such 

 as Currants, Raspberries, &c., might be profitably cultiva- 

 ted. Gooseberries he did not consider so important. As 

 to Strawberries, he would say that he had taken some exer- 

 cise in weeding them, and that he considered them cheap at 

 twenty-five cents a box. 



Mr. J. J. H. Gregory, of Marblehead, said a few words 

 relative to the Strawberry culture, recommending the 



