OHCHAED FRUITS. 



THEIR CULTIVATION, STORING, AND KEEPING. 



Considered by the Society, Febnmry llth, A. D. 1878. 



Mr. Joseph C. Lovell, of West Boylston, introduced the subject. He 

 pointed out the different circumstances of the fruit growers, for home 

 use or for market, the single tree or the large orchard, the early summer 

 or the long keeping varieties. He said one general rule is that growers 

 must study. The question of fertilizing is important, for too little and 

 too much are alike disastrous ; insect ravages need constant watching ; 

 the soil for one variety may cause others to fall, and various methods of 

 treatment are only adapted to certain varieties. He fa^vored attempts to 

 improve the quality of some approved varieties, rather than to produce 

 new varieties, and he suggested the question whether raising seedlings 

 from carefully selected healthy trees, may not be a help toward eradicat- 

 ing blight. 



He favored only moderate fertilizing, for too much will enfeeble the 

 tree. Varieties can only be selected to adapt the crops to the individual 

 want; no general rule can be given. He gave a caution in regarding 

 planting, that there should be abundant room for roots, and the tree 

 should be set as deep as it stood in the nurseries. The best soil for Apples 

 and Pears is a strong deep loam on a hill side ; the soil should be 

 frequently stirred about young trees. He would gather winter fruit 

 only when it is fully ripe, if quality be desired ; for storage he would 

 select a dry cellar with a uniform temperature of from 34" to 36". Hfe 

 urged eveiy tree planter to be sure and give clean culture, and a fair 

 chance to his trees, before condemning the nurserymen or the stock. In 

 answer to questions he said he could not recommend either apples or 

 pears for a crop to the exclusion of the other, but would advise a grower 

 to have good stocks of both. 



