FRUIT CULTURE IN MA88ACHU8ETTB» 



An intolli<»'ent fariiKT of 1" raiikliii County, \viiti;.s as follows : — " The cultivation of 

 fruit is prospectively most important to tlic farmer's interest, and the farmers are just 

 befinnino- to learn it; there is no other way by which land can be made so profitable 

 jis by raising fruit, and our land is well adapted to the cultivation." 



The same may be said of some parts of the county of Worcester, where "fruit of all 

 kinds has, within the last fifteen years, received great attention, and been attended 

 with most beneficial results, yielding to the farmer the most net profit of any thing that 

 he could cultivate. Choice Apples are raised in great abundance — except this year, the 

 new edition of worms has produced almost an entire failure." 



Another from the same county, writes : — " Great attention has been paid to tlie cul- 

 tivation of fruit, particularly the Apple, within the last few years. The soil is pecu- 

 liarly adapted to fruit of all kinds, it being a deep yellow loam, and the surface greatly 

 diversified. Peaches are generally, and in some instances extensively cultivated 

 Pear culture is receiving very much attention, and Quinces are raised, more or less, by 

 every body. With many farmers the profits of the farm have doubled within the 

 last ten years." 



In the county of Middlessex, also, the farmers are paying greatly increased attention 

 to this subject, and find it profitable to do so. A correspondent writes as follows : — 

 "Considerable attention is given to the cultivation of fruit. There are some valuable 

 old orchards, producing the Baldwin and Hunt Russet in abundance. Great num- 

 bers of young Apple trees have been set within the last six years, and are receiving 

 excellent care by careful pruning and the constant cultivation of the ground. Garden 

 fruits, such as Peaches, Pears, Plums, Currants, Gooseberries, Blackberries and Rasp- 

 berries have also recently received a degree of attention unknown here, until within a 

 few years. There is no doubt among our cultivators but that these fruits materially in- 

 crease the profits of the farm." 



From another town of the same county, the following return was made, showing 

 also the great attention which this subject is receiving : — 



" !More attention is paid to fruit culture, than any other branch of agriculture, and 

 with great success — especially Peaches, which thrive exceedingly well here ; about 

 5,000 bushels were raised the past season. Apples, and other fruits do well. It is 

 generally considered, that fruit trees pay for themselves, including care, cost of trees, 

 &c., in about twelve years ; and I think a great part of the time bestowed on an or- 

 chard is clear gain. All should plant an orchard who have land; I can assure them 

 more profit thereby, than from any other branch of agriculture." 



In the county of Ilampden, though less interest is felt in fruit than in some other 

 counties, it is now beginning to excite attention. One practical farmer writes from 

 there, as follows : — "People have paid considerable attention to the cultivation of 

 fruit, for a few years past, and I think with pretty good success. I have done as much 

 in the way of raising fruit, as any man in our town, and I can say that I get more net 

 profit from my fruit, considering the labor, than from any other products of my farm 

 We are seventy miles from Boston ; we can pick our Apples one day, and have 

 in Boston market the next." 



