REPORT 



OF THE 



COMMITTEE ON FRUITS 



For the Year 1876. 



By HERVEY DAVIS, Chairman. 



As the swift and fleeting hours of time pass, and another 

 fruit season draws to a close, it becomes our dut}^ to examiiie and 

 report upon the past, present, and future condition and prospects of 

 the supply and demand for fruits in Massachusetts. In relation to 

 the past, we have to acknowledge a great change. In going hack 

 but a few j'ears, we notice a marked difference in the supply of 

 strawberries. It is but a short time since our strawberry season 

 lasted only from the 15th of June to the 10th of July ; but now, 

 owing to the improTcd facilities of transportation, our markets are 

 supplied with this very desirable fruit from about the 1st of May 

 until the 10th of Juty, and at a much less price than formerly. 

 The same rule will apply to almost all kinds of fruits, as regards 

 the increased length of time, and the prices we have to pa}'. 



Besides the strawberry, a very striking instance may be found in 

 the grape. It is but a very few years since, that almost the onl}^ 

 varieties of gi'apes we had were the Isabella and Concord, and 

 those in \evy limited quantities ; but now we are supplied with this 

 fruit, from the South and West, from early in August until late in 

 the season, when California comes in with her abundant crops, and 

 continues the season of this desirable fruit until mid-winter. With 

 this great increase of fruits from the South and West, and the 

 great interest taken in the Eastern States, with their innumerable 

 varieties of the different kinds of fruit now grown, and the equally 

 great interest shown in raising new hybrid and other seedlings, we 

 should have no fear for the present and future supply of all kinds 

 of fruit, covering nearly the entire year, from January to December. 



