198 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



pears, but for other fruits as well." "With us it should be an 

 eastern hillside. The " shelter " best suited is not surrounding 

 hills, for the reasons given above ; but buildings and shelter 

 trees. The editor thinks that " evergreen trees afford the most 

 perfect shelter in the least space." With regard to " soil," he 

 remarks that " the pear will exist in a variety of soils, but 

 attains greatest perfection in clayey loam." Soil should be pre- 

 pared for setting by deep tillage, and the holes should be dug 

 deep for the same reasons as for the apple graft in similar soil, 

 elsewhere noted. A brief statement of the other general di- 

 rections seems to be, plant carefully, mulch wisely and prune 

 sparingly. 



Quinces are well adapted to our soil and climate, as the writer 

 of this has said in a former paper ; and peaches, although the 

 tree is short-lived, can be grown, and they certainly contribute 

 an agreeable variety for the palate. But the apple is the kind 

 of fruit for culinary uses, being the leading fruit of New England. 

 And it has been held that as respects the flavor of this kind of 

 fruit it is better in this State than is that of the Maine apples on 

 the one hand, or of those of the West on the other. The Western 

 apple is larger, but not of so good flavor as ours. It is when 

 the apple is in the perfectly ripe state that it has the most sugar. 

 It is then healthful for all, even for the domestic animals ; and 

 the best for them raw. But when rotted, it is not fit to eat ; it 

 is only fit for the compost heap. 



Mr. J. F. C. Hyde, of Newton, one of the best authorities, 

 holds that " the raising of apples is one of the most profitable 

 branches of farming to-day." He adds, " With the exception of 

 market gardening and the raising of small fruits about the cities, 

 I believe it is as profitable a branch of farming as any one can 

 engage in." He further says, " You can just as well grow 

 apples as oak-trees." 



No entries of orchards for premiums have been made to the 

 secretary this year, therefore the committee have no sums to 

 award. This is regretted, because it is known that there are 

 some excellent orchards in the county, although the committee 

 learn that generally the show of fruit the present year is not as 

 good as an average. 



Hebron Vincent, Chairman. 



