PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 107 



HOETICULTUKE AT LOWELL. 



BY ME. N. P. HUSTED OF LOWELL. 



Horticulture in Lowell, as a branch of commercial industry, dates back 

 about twenty years. It has progressed from a very primitive beginning 

 until it is now recognized as a hading and profitable industry. The 

 experience of our orchardists within the past few years has fully estab- 

 lished the fact that the soil in the vicinity of Lowell affords superior 

 advantages for growing fruit. Tillers of the soil who are complaining of 

 dull times and the very low price of farm produce should bear in mind 

 the fact that fruit has always found a ready market, selling at a highly 

 remunerative price. The present demand for choice fruit is far in excess 

 of the supply. The consumption of fruit is rapidly on the increase, and 

 in a greater ratio than the production. In addition to our large home 

 markets, a foreign demand is springing up for the products of our 

 orchards, which will absorb our surplus for years to come. The processes 

 of canning, drying, and preserving fruit, within the past few years, have 

 made rapid strides. The facilities for rapid and cheap transportation 

 have been greatly increased, demanding greater supplies, and the planting 

 of more and larger orchards. The products of our orchards are needed to 

 feed the millions of consumers. The outlook for fruitgrowers was never 

 more encouraging than at present. The experience of practical orchardists 

 has fully established the fact that the net proceeds of an orchard on good 

 fruit land, in full bearing, is many times greater than the same land can 

 be made to produce if planted to ordinary farm crops. There are thou- 

 sands of acres of the choicest fruit lands surrounding Lowell, which, if 

 set to orchards, would soon return large net incomes for their owners with 

 comparatively little labor. 



It is a fact that the price of many farm crops has fallen below the cost 

 of production. In 1863, wheat was worth from $2 to $3 per bushel, wool 

 $1, horses from $100 to $250 each. In 1894, wheat is selling for 45 to 55o 

 per bushel; good horses are bringing from $10 to $50 each, and wool sold 

 from 10 to 15 cents per pound. Times have been dull, and money scarce, 

 but notwithstanding the depressed condition of trade, and the money 

 panic, fruit has sold at good prices, netting the growers large profits. 



For the purpose of showing the extent and condition of fruitgrowing 

 in this section, the Lowell district horticultural society appointed com- 

 mittees for several townships adjoining Lowell. Their reports show large 

 acreage of orchards; a great interest in horticulture; the bttsiness on a 

 sound basis; the net returns satisfactory, and all interests pertaining to 

 fruit culture in a profitable, progressive and prosperous condition. Lands 

 are being fitted for the planting of trees coming season on a more extensive 

 scale than ever before. 



Tcwnsliip (f Boston.— 22,0G0 apple trees, 2,000 pear, 1,000 plum, 183,000 

 peach. Commenced setting trees for commercial orchards twenty years 

 ago. Have had full crops of peaches for the years 1891, '92, 93 and '94. 

 Sold 22,0CO bushels of peaches in 18r4 at an average price of $1 per 



