112 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



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

 almost traditional that in order to obtain fruit all that it was 

 necessary to do was to set out the trees and then let them 

 alone. In consequence, when fruit came into demand for 

 table use it found almost all the farmers of Massachusetts 

 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 nat- 

 ural 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 exceptions, 

 have allowed their opportunity to pass rather than to 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 sup- 

 ply, 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 a busi- 



