104 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



its commercial worth, its adaptation to varied climes and 

 soils, we are unable to account for the comparative apathy of 

 our people in not growing more of the vast quantities of this 

 fruit that are used in our State, and thus save the millions of 

 dollars that are paid out of this State annually for apples 

 grown in the Middle and Western States. It is proverbial 

 that the apples of Massachusetts are not equalled in flavor by 

 any grown in the Union. And at the great markets of Bos- 

 ton, of the apples oifered for sale, the " fairest and the best" 

 are grown in Middlesex County. This county has ever borne 

 the banner for her fine fruit. 



In coming years may the hillsides of this county be adorned 

 with young, vigorous, fruitful orchards, and we again have 

 this standard fruit in the same abundance as in its pristine 

 days. To accomplish this we must begin anew, by starting 

 our future orchards with hardy, native seedling-stocks, budded 

 or grafted to the very best hardy new varieties known to the 

 orchardist, and only those that have met the approval of author- 

 ities in horticulture. We have much, I think, to expect from 

 the many new and improved varieties ; also from choice seed- 

 lings that are now being tested, and will soon be given to the 

 public. 



