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trees suffered still more from neglect. By this time it had 

 become almost traditional that in order to obtain fruit all 

 that is was necessary to do was to set out the trees and then 

 let them alone. In consequence, when fruit came into de- 

 mand for table use it found almost all the farmers of Massa- 

 chusetts with nearly worthless trees, fruit averaging poor in 

 quality, and with insects and fungi rampant. In addition, 

 it found the farmer without a knowledge of proper methods 

 of fruit culture, and devoting his energies to other crops. 

 As a natural consequence, fruit raising in other parts of the 

 country, where more up-to-date methods were promptly 

 adopted when the demand came, has increased rapidly ; while 

 the people of Massachusetts with a few individual excep- 

 tions, have allowed their opportunity to pass rather than 

 master modern methods of fruit growing and obtain their 

 share of this rapidly increasing and profitable occupation. 



The demand for first-class fruit is now greater than the 

 supply, and the export trade is calling for larger shipments. 

 Much of this fruit now comes from west of the Mississippi 

 River, has been grown in climates less perfectly adapted to 

 produce fine quality and keeping properties than is that of 

 this State, and has been shipped long distances at freight 

 rates much higher than would be the case here. Over half 

 of the first-grade fruit. in Boston markets to-day has come 

 from the west, while Massachusetts supplies the lower grades 

 at correspondingly lower prices. 



Failure to raise the best fruit here has given the west its 

 chance ; and this has been taken advantage of, the finest 

 grades attractively packed now selling in Boston markets 

 for more than twice as much as home fruit. Only last year 

 Hood River apples were selling at from $2.50 to $4 per box, 

 the boxes holding about a bushel, and retailing at some places 

 in this city at $1 a dozen ; while the best home apples avail- 

 able were selling at $2.50 per barrel ! 



There is no reason why this condition should continue. 

 Massachusetts can raise just as good fruit as Oregon, and at 

 less cost. With much lower freights to pay, less risk of 

 injury during transportation, excellent soil and climate, it 

 is only necessary that fruit raising should be undertaken as 



