STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 91 



other products of the soil, she places small fruits within the reach of 

 all who own or occupy a few rods of land. The march of progress 

 in the line of introduction of small fruits has been very marked and 

 rapid. And now, with the numerous varieties we have to select 

 from, adapted to every taste, for every purpose, for the table, for 

 market, for canning, with different modes of cultivation, and a cli- 

 mate suitable for every variety, there is an opportunity for all 

 classes to enter into the full enjoyment of the excellent fruits, which 

 an indulgent Providence has been pleased to provide. 



To enjoy the different kinds of small fruits in their greatest per- 

 fecti> n requires a considerable amount of care in their growth and 

 training, and this excuse is offered by the average farmer against 

 their general cultivation. It is true that the farmer in the cultiva- 

 tion of general crops, the care of his stock and general management 

 of the farm, must spend the larger portion of his time. Yet there 

 are always some opportunities when a few moments might be ex- 

 pended in this work that would otherwise remain unimproved. A 

 little time spent at the blacksmith shop or at the corner store, dis- 

 cussing the tariff or in some other equally unprofitable manner, 

 would be sufficient to give all necessary care to a collection of small 

 fruits that would furnish an agreeable succession during the average 

 fruit season, and when the undertaking is once full^' entered upon, 

 the new beginner is frequently surprised at the small amount of 

 time actually required in the production of that which furnished so 

 large a share of gratification and comfort to the family. But there 

 is a higbtr consideration than the gratification of appetite in this 

 question, and that is the health of the family. 



Physicians are agreed in according health producing and health 

 giving qualities to well ripened fruit. Then, as a matter of 

 economy alone, how much better it would be for the farmer even to 

 spend a little extra time in the cultivation of fruits for the use of his 

 family when diseases are prevalent or likely to occur rather than 

 be obliged to make an expenditure of money to pay the family 

 doctor for accomplishing the cure which perhaps his fruit would 

 have rendered unnecessary. Sickness is caused no doubt during 

 the summer season by an improper use of fruits, but it is generally 

 brought about by using those in an over-ripe or decayed state, and 

 frequently it is our own boy who has been sampling ihe cherries or 

 green apples. There are many families withui our State the head 

 of which may be a mason, carpenter, blacksmith, mill-hand or day 



