90 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



HAMPSHIRE. 



Report of the Committee. 



The culture of fruit trees has always received the attention 

 of the inhabitants of Massachusetts, as a matter of high im- 

 portance in its relations to beauty and utility. AVhile the' soil 

 ■was new, it contained all the elements necessary for their 

 growth ; so that a crop of apple trees was raised with as much 

 certainty as a crop of wheat. But afterwards, when some of 

 the elements were exhausted from the soil, the orchards planted 

 failed in vigor of growth and in perfection of fruit. The trees 

 ■were smaller and shorter-lived, and the fruit was inferior 

 in size and number. Their enemies too, of the insect tribe, — 

 if not from increase of number, at least from diminished power 

 of resistance in their victims, — were more successful in their 

 attacks. As cider became less in demand for the table and for 

 the distillery, and the orchards became thinner and less pro- 

 ductive from the axe or from natural decay, — while the popu- 

 lation of the State increased, — the supply of fruit became less, 

 while the demand for the table or for culinary purposes became 

 greater. 



What then shall be done to supply the increased and increas- 

 ing demand ? The answer is : Increase the number of growing 

 trees ; improve the modes of cultivation. As nature, in the 

 diminished fertility of the soil does less, art, reinforcing nature, 

 must do more. By studying the laws of vegetable life, by the 

 application of appropriate manures, in short, by proper cultiva- 

 tion, fertility can be communicated to the soil, vigor to the 

 growth of the tree, and improved flavor and increased size to 

 the fruit. 



It is the object of the committee, in making their report, to 

 throw together a few brief remarks for the benefit solely of the 

 young and inexperienced cultivator, in the shape of rules, with- 

 out accompanying them with a statement of the principles on 

 which the rules are founded. Those who seek for the foundations 

 of these rules in the conclusions of science, can find them 

 elsewhere. 



1. Plant a Nursery. Let your nursery consist chiefly of 



