216 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



OPPOETUNITIES FOE FRUIT GROWING IN 

 MASSACHUSETTS.^ 



FRED C. SEARS, PROFESSOR OF POMOLOGY, MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURAL 

 COLLEGE, AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS. 



It is natural for the residents of any orchard section to con- 

 sider it the one ideal spot in which to grow fruit. That is 

 cheerfully admitted. But even when every allowance has been 

 made for this prejudice we believe that New England generally, 

 and Massachusetts especially, can come very close to making 

 good on this proposition. 



Stated briefly, the case of Massachusetts is this: first, she 

 can produce fruit of exceptionally high quality; second, her 

 land values are exceptionally low; third, the labor supply is 

 abundant; and fourth, she is within easy reach of the best 

 markets in the world. There may be sections with a more 

 attractive combination of advantages than this, but if so we 

 should be glad to hear of them. 



Let us examine into these various claims and see what evi- 

 dence there is to support each one. If they cannot be sub- 

 stantiated we want to know it, for Massachusetts does not want 

 anything that does not rightfully belong to her. 



First, then, as to quality of fruit. We are not going to make 

 any comparisons because that is not considered polite, and be- 

 sides, is not necessary. All we want to show is that Massachu- 

 setts does grow fruit of exceptionally high quality. The proof 

 of the fruit, as well as the proof of the pudding, is in the eating, 

 and it is to be regretted that it is not possible to give a sample 

 of Massachusetts fruit to every man who is interested, or who 

 might become interested, in Massachusetts orcharding. We 

 certainly believe that that would convince any one. But two or 



1 This article was prepared to accompany the Massachusetts exhibit at the Panama-Pacific 

 Exposition. 



