368 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



One hundred parts of that ash, calculated on the above 

 specific basis, contained : — 



It will be seen by the above, that there is a great differ- 

 ence in the ash constituents of the two, — the wild straw- 

 berry and the above cultivated variety. The variations of 

 the ash elements are no less remarkable than those of the 

 organic constituents of sugar and acid. In the wild fruit 

 the proportions are one of acid to two of sugar ; while in 

 the cultivated varieties the ratio is one to six, and more. 



This question of the effect of the different fertilizing 

 elements upon the character of the various products of the 

 garden and orchard is of great importance to the practical 

 gardener, and large results may be expected from investiga- 

 tions in this direction in the next few years. 



Many of the most important questions of the times, upon 

 horticultural practice, must be settled by the chemist's 

 balance and the microscope. We cannot expect the solu- 

 tion of such questions as the degree of hardiness of plants 

 as affected by special fertilizers or by growing naturally in 

 soils of different composition, the laws which govern the 

 production of new varieties from seed, the effect of the 

 scion upon the stock, and the stock upon the scion, and many 

 others, in any other way. The Massachusetts Agricultural 

 College has facilities for such work, and has many experi- 

 ments under way, which, with proper support, will result in 

 much good to the people and to the college. 



Adjourned. 



THIRD DAY. 



The Board met at ten o'clock a.m., James S. Grinnell, 

 Esq., of Greenfield, in the chair. 



Present : Messrs. Abbott, Anderson, Baker, Brown, Damon, 

 Demond, Gleason, Goessmann, Grinnell, Hadwen, Herrick, 

 Hersey, Lynde, Mayhew, Moore, Pierson, Slade, Sessions, 



