176 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Afternoon Session. 



The Board reassembled at two o'clock, and took up the last 

 subject upon the programme. 



THE CULTIVATION OF FRUITS. 



The discussion was opened by Mr. A. P. Slade, of Somer- 

 set, who spoke as follows : — 



The subject of conversation this afternoon is Fruit-Culture, 

 and the task of openiug the discussion has very unexpectedly 

 been assigned to me. 



When I see gentlemen present who have made this subject 

 a life-study, the light of whose experience has ever been our 

 guide, I am really at a loss to determiue the reason why one 

 was not selected from their number to advise and instruct you 

 on this occasion. I have heard of an old gentleman, living in 

 the* town of Barrington, R. I., the father of a large family, 

 who was renowned for the sumptuousuess of his Thanksgiving 

 dinners. But he required each of his guests to eat a green 

 quince for the first course, in order, as he alleged, that they 

 might the better appreciate the rich repast which was to fol- 

 low. The committee who arranged the bill of fare for this 

 meeting, and appointed me to open the discussion, were, 

 undoubtedly, governed by a policy involving the same 

 principle. 



However, as openiug a discussion is somewhat vague in its 

 meaning, I shall take the liberty to put my own construction 

 upon it, and endeavor to provoke discussion on this interest- 

 ing and important subject. And if I am fortunate enough to 

 succeed, I shall flatter myself that I have accomplished the 

 end and aim of my appointment. 



I do not propose to select any particular kind of fruit, and 

 follow out in detail its culture from the simple seed to its 

 luscious maturity, but, on the contrary, I propose to consider 

 very briefly, the possibilities of fruit-culture in Massachu- 

 setts. 



