64 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



nearly every clime : it lias always been a favorite fruit 

 wherever cultivated. We look over our country, from the 

 shores of the Atlantic to the Pacific States and Territories, 

 and behold thousands of acres of luxuriant vineyards, until 

 we reach the Golden State, where the rich purple fruitage of 

 the valleys vies with the vineyards of Southern Frcyice and 

 Italy. Grapes require rather a gravelly loam or clayey soil, 

 a little manure (and that well decomposed), or ashes, or 

 bone-dust. A great deal depends upon location and treatment : 

 they require a southern slope, with good shelter, and protec- 

 tion from northerly winds. 



The strawberry, among the so-called small fruits, is of great 

 importance : it is very rich and delicious ; and the increasing 

 supply of this article from thousands of acres in this State, 

 and car-loads on car-loads from others, has reduced the prices 

 so low, that they comport with the means of the poorest con- 

 sumers. This healthful fruit is easily grown ; yet there are 

 farmers who have abundance of land, and to spare, who seldom, 

 if ever, have it upon their tables. Strawberries require a 

 good rich soil, not too low or wet, well prepared by deep 

 ploughing and very heavy manuring. From three thousand 

 to four thousand quarts can be raised per acre, if the season 

 is favorable, at an income of from one thousand to fifteen 

 hundred dollars. 



Blackberries are entitled to great consideration, especially 

 in this county, where we import annually such large quanti- 

 ties of this berry and the whortleberry. It has been estimated 

 that from three thousand to four thousand dollars are annu- 

 ally paid here for these fruits. The Lawton variety thrives 

 well in our county : a strong, but not wet soil is better adapted 

 to this fruit than a light, sandy one. The vines should be 

 set about five feet apart, well pruned by removal annually of 

 the dead wood, and with care can be made to pay as much 

 per acre as any other product raised here, having an excellent 

 home-market. 



Next in our list of berries is the cranberry : we had ex- 

 cellent specimens on exhibition at our fair, that showed 

 improved quality by careful cultivation. Without doubt 

 cranberries will pay well for culture. 



We have hastily penned a few thoughts on the culture of 

 the most prominent fruits raised in our State ; and the ques- 



