148 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



culture. How few orchards have annually the labor and fertil- 

 ization which are given to corn and tobacco. Until we are 

 willing to bestow such culture on our fruit trees, we must 

 expect beggarly returns in crops. Thousands who never expect 

 good crops of corn witliont thorough tillage, pronounce fruit- 

 raising unprofitable, because their trees do not yield great crops 

 with little or no cultivation ; acting in this matter as though 

 they thought their orchards must produce grapes from thorns 

 and figs from thistles ! 



The cultivation of the smaller fruits demands greater atten- 

 tion. Against this does not lie the objection so often raised 

 against planting orchards ; that too much time is required 

 before we can enjoy the fruit. A judicious selection of straw- 

 berries, currants, raspberries, gooseberries, blackberries and 

 grapes, all of which can be raised with comparatively little 

 labor, would, in connection with the orchard, supply the culti- 

 vator with a constant succession of fruits profitable for the 

 market, and healthful and delicious as food for the table. No 

 fruits make better returns for the outlay required to raise them, 

 than grapes, such as are adapted to our climate. The Northern 

 Muscadine, Concord, and Delaware, flourish and ripen well in 

 the open air of this valley. Every home would be happier 

 which had these vines growing on its grounds, beautifying its 

 surroundings, and bending with heavy clusters of luscious 

 fruit to delight the palate and promote the health and comfort 

 of every member of the household. 



In conclusion, your committee would urge the owners of 

 land to devote a large portion to fruit, believing that with the 

 same cultivation which is given to tl^e cereals, it will pay well ; 

 if not in wealth, certainly in health and happiness, which are 

 the true ends of wealth. Seth Hunt, Chairman. 



PLYMOUTH. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



The entries of fruit this season were not so numerous as 



usual. Heretofore, the show of fruit at our exhibitions has 



been quite creditable to the county ; but, owing to causes not 



very certainly known to the committee, the diminution of 



