FRUIT8. 203 



the plant is not strong enough to carry out so many berries to a 

 suitable size. In regard to mulching and covering, I use pine 

 leaves (tassels) from the forests, the cost of which is the labor 

 of collecting them, which, in my statement, is put in with the 

 cost of labor. 



This year I shall put the pine leaves on them, some salt grass 

 on top ; for the past two winters have been hard for the plants, 

 unless well protected. I take about one-half the leaves off in 

 spring, leaving the rest on as mulching, which serves a good 

 purpose in keeping down weeds, and keeps the 'fruit clean, 

 though making the crop three or four days later in ripening. 



When Mr. Robinson states the cost of picking and packing is 

 less than three cents per box, I think he makes a mistake. If I 

 remember aright, in my statement it is just three cents per box : 

 one thousand four hundred and twenty-five boxes, at three cents, 

 makes $42.75; though this season it cost me less for picking 

 than some other seasons, owing to size and thickness of the ber- 

 ries. A hand could pick seventy five boxes per day on an aver- 

 age, making, at two and one-half cents per box, $1.87 per day ; 

 and I have had a hand pick one hundred boxes per day in the 

 best picking. My own folks did the packing, which I estimated 

 at one half cent per box. One hand, by working all day, could 

 pack two hundred boxes, making one dollar ; though in former 

 seasons when I have hired, I have paid more than that, — about 

 one cent per box. I think the subsoil is a moist loam, with the 

 soil not over ten inches deep. The general price paid for picking 

 in this place is three cents per box. 



WORCESTER NORTH-WEST. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



Pears, of the choicer varieties, are among the finest fruits of 

 our climate. In this latitude, with sterile soil around us, we 

 cannot recommend their culture, extensively, for the market, 

 but every person owning a patch of land should raise a few for 

 home use. As a rule, the hardier varieties should be selected 

 for this region ; in favorable aspects those more tender may 

 succeed well. 



Among the summer varieties, the Rostiezer is a general favor- 

 ite ; it is hardy and productive ; its fruit resembles, but is not 



