G2 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



equally well adapted to fruit culture as that now appropriated 

 to this purpose, and upon the ever increasing demand for fruits, 

 we cannot doubt its future importance to the Commonwealth ? 



A moment's reflection upon the comparative value of our 

 fruit crops, will convince us of the propriety of encouraging 

 fruit culture. In 1845, the value of apples, pears, cherries and 

 other fruits in this State is put down in our industrial statistics 

 at $744,000 ; in 1855, at $1,315,000. At the same ratio of 

 increase as in former years, it will amount in our next census 

 to more than two millions of dollars, a sum greater than the 

 combined crop of wheat, oats, rye and barley in the year 1855. 



Our exports confirm this calculation. In the three autumnal 

 months of 1858, and winter of 1859, there were about 120,000 

 barrels of apples exported from Boston, four-fifths of which 

 were Baldwins. Our pear crop probably exceeds 8100,000 per 

 annum ; and both of these are on the increase. The same is 

 true of the strawberry and some other fruits. 



When we consider the progress in pomology within our own 

 recollection, the advancement of the arts of cultivation, the 

 knowledge of the principles upon which those arts depend, 

 and the interest awakened among all classes of society in the 

 growth of fruits, we cannot but congratulate those who are just 

 entering upon this inviting field, on the success which will 

 surely reward their labors. And who can predict the blessings 

 which this branch of industry will confer, as well on the poor 

 as on the rich, and to the wealth and prosperity of the State ? 



The assembling of these rural comforts around the family 

 mansion strengthens local attachments, multiplies the joys of 

 home, sweetens the social relations of life, and promotes the 

 love of kindred and of country. Fruits have too often been 

 considered a luxury rather than a necessary of life. But, the 

 more we use them, the more we shall approach a refined and 

 healthful state both of body and of mind. It is, therefore, our 

 duty, as guardians of the public weal, to develop these resources 

 of our State, and to increase them to their utmost extent. 



With this view, the State Board of Agriculture, at its meet- 

 ing in the spring of 1859, appointed three of its members as a 

 committee on fruits and fruit culture, and authorized them to 

 issue the following circular : — 



