No. 4.] FRUIT GROWING. 171 



definite recommendations as to the varieties. The followinof 

 are recommended for general cultivation : Belmont, Bubach, 

 Charles Downing, Jessie, Leader, Miner's Prolific and Sharp- 

 less. 



The currant is a much neglected fruit, though it is a profit- 

 able market fruit and may be grown successfully in the or- 

 chard among the apple and pear trees longer than any other 

 crop. The Yersaillaise and Fay's are the best red varieties, 

 and Dana's Transparent and the French Transparent the best 

 white. 



The raspl)erry and lilackberry, although grown in some 

 towns to a larger extent than any other fruit for market, are 

 more liable to injury during the winter than other fruits, as 

 none of the best varieties are perfectly hardy. 



We are situated on almost the northern limit where the 

 grape can be grown in open culture, yet the increase in the 

 amount of this fruit grown for market has been as large if 

 not larger than any of the small fruits within the last twenty 

 years, and the most of this increase has been in the northern 

 part of the State, as the largest vineyards are to be found 

 in Concord, Fitchburg and Ashby, and extending up to and 

 across the line into New Hampshire. The introduction of 

 new and earlier varieties and the girdling of a portion of 

 the vines, as practiced by some of the growers, has made 

 the crop more secure from early frosts. The Moore's Early, 

 Worden and Concord are the varieties generally grown for 

 market. 



To the farmer interested in this subject the natural in- 

 quiries are, what are the opportunities and what are the pos- 

 sibilities for fruit growing in Massachusetts? As to tlie 

 opportunities, it may be said : First, we have a soil and 

 climate not excelled ])y any State in the Union for producing 

 some of the best and most largely consumed fruits grown ; 

 second, we have thousands of acres of land, at present of 

 little value, admirably calculated to grow the orchard fruits ; 

 third, the means of cheap and rapid transportation from 

 every part of the State to the wholesale markets and the 

 port for shipment ; fourth, we are nearer the foreign market 

 than any other State having equal shipping facilities. 



The possibilities are : First, converting land of little value 



