1G4 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



portance. A few well-known A^arieties will prove more 

 profitable than a miscellaneous assortment, having only a 

 local name and reputation. A few years since an elibrt was 

 made to ascertain the proportion of the diiierent varieties of 

 apples exported, and from the best information ol)tainable 

 it was found that between eight and nine tenths of all the 

 apples shipped to foreign ports were Baldwins. 



If there is a home trade to be supplied, it may be desir- 

 able to set trees enough to supply the demand for any de- 

 sirable local varieties, but beyond that the Gravenstein, 

 Hubbardston, Rhode Island Greening, Baldwin and Roxbury 

 Russet would furnish all the varieties necessary for an or- 

 chard, however extensive, and of these the Baldwin should 

 be by far the leading variety. It is a native of the State ; 

 makes a strong, vigorous growth ; adapts itself readily to 

 diflerent locations and soils ; is a profuse bearer ; the fruit 

 sells readily in the market, commands a good price and 

 keeps in good condition longer than any of the others ex- 

 cept the Roxbury Russet. 



The apple under ordinary conditions is a biennial fruit. 

 The bearing year for most orchards in this State is the even 

 calendar year, though to a less extent than formerly, as a 

 change has been eifected in some cases by late frosts in 

 spring and in others liy the canker worms. The bearing 

 year may be changed if the blossoms are removed from the 

 young trees for three or four years when they would nat- 

 urally produce their fruit. 



The principal enemies of the apple are the codling moth, 

 canker worm, tent caterpillar and apple maggot. Fruit- 

 growers are largely indebted to the experiment stations for 

 the discovery of means for destroying the insect pests and 

 the fungoid growths injurious to fruit trees. Experience has 

 shown that by the application of arsenical poisons for the for- 

 mer and copper solutions for the latter, in accordance with 

 directions as to time and methods of application given in 

 bulletins issued from the various stations, there has been a 

 marked im[)rovement in the quality and appearance of the 

 different fruits. 



In the cultivation of the pear Massachusetts has always 

 held a leading position. In no part of the country is this 



