8 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



fair qualitj^ a little coarse, and with a slight tendency to rot at the core. 

 Its large size and £ne appearance may make it desirable. We need only 

 add, under this head, that each season confirms the opinion that the Pear 

 is at home in Massachusetts. 



The Apple. — We are glad to report an excellent crop of this most 

 important fruit. It is true our orchards have sadly diminished in the 

 Eastern portion of the State within a few year^, and many of those 

 which remain have been seriously and probably permanently injured 

 by the ravages of the cankerworra. Yet this hist evil has been less 

 felt than usual during the past year. While this is a source of congratu- 

 l;;tion to the negligent, the diligent orchardist rejoices in the health and 

 vigor of his trees, which, by his care, have been kept in thrift, and which 

 now yield a return, reminding us of the abundance of the past. There 

 , can be no doubt that our soil and climate are eminently fitted for the 

 growth of the Apple in its highest state of excellence. It is to be 

 regretted that the returns from this crop require so many years, such 

 long and patient waiting, that young men, in this age of rapid enterprise, 

 are deterred from embarking in its culture. It is true that an abundant 

 reward may be expected to follow a judicious culture on land not held 

 at high prices, even during the lifetime of the planter. Still it is also 

 true that he will get but a moiety of the crop, at the most; the best part 

 of his orchard, if properly- cared for, will be left for the succeeding 

 generation. It is for this reason that it may be worthy of consideration 

 whether the State should in some way encourage the plantation of the 

 Apple, as it may also of Forest Trees. Can there be a doubt that it 

 would result in public gain if generous and permanent prizes should be 

 offered by the State and by our Societies for extensive and well kept 

 Apple Orchards, as well as for the products? In this connection it is 

 to ,be remembered that the Paradise stock has done very much in 

 mitigation of this difficulty of time. The Dwarf Apple is indeed a 

 o-reat acquisition, for family use, performing the same office for this 

 fruit as the Quince does for the Pear. It will require the same care, the 

 same regular and full supply of food, constant watching lest the top 

 should outgrow, overtax and overload the root, but with this reasonable 

 care it will give equally as satisfying and bountiful results. No sight 

 in the fruit garden can be more beautiful than a well formed and evenly 

 loaded dwarf Astrachan, or Williams, the highest fruit being within easy 

 reach from the ground. While the standard Apple, when in its prime, 

 produces such immense quantities, and the price consequently rules low, 

 we do not attach the same importance to the dwarf Apple that we do 

 to the dwai-f Pear, still it is of far more value to small families than is 

 generally supposed. It develops early, within two or three years from 

 planting; it gives a moderate— a /a»u7^ supply of each kind; it occupies 

 but little room in the garden, and its size renders it comparatively easy 



