€8 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



given up growing English hay when the crop has been ahnost 

 worthless from drought, or given up the growing of the differ- 

 ent grains because they have suffered from blight, rust, or 

 insects ? Not by any means, but we have endeavored to find a 

 remedy for the trouble. 



And now, while I do not think that it would be advisable to 

 plant apple orchards on good tillage lands worth one or two 

 hundred dollars an acre for other purposes, I am well satisfied 

 that there is a large amount of land, well adapted to the apple, 

 that is not so accessible, free from stones, so well adapted to 

 other farm crops or so valuable, that might well be planted 

 with apple trees and made profitable to their owners. I will 

 not undertake to give any reason for the small crops of the last 

 four years, but can only say that there are a few instances 

 within my own knowledge, where, having high cultivation, very 

 fair crops and quite profitable ones have been grown the last 

 three years. 



Then would it not be safe advice to give, in view of the fact 

 that we consume more than we produce, and that the old 

 orchards, having fulfilled their mission, are fast going to decay, 

 to plant such cheap lands as I have described, with the apple, 

 not only for home consumption but for the market ? I certainly 

 think that it is. 



The pear, which it was considered of doubtful expediency to 

 plant largely for profit, has become one of the standard fruit- 

 crops, second only to the apple in value for general cultivation. 

 This is largely due to the introduction of better, more produc- 

 tive and desirable varieties, for which we are indebted to the 

 liberality and public spirit of a few eminent horticulturists, 

 more particularly to a former member of the Board of Agricul- 

 ture, Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, and to the influence of the 

 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. These have done a great 

 deal for the public benefit by importing and disseminating new 

 varieties, and by showing the fruit, thus enabling those desiring 

 to plant to make a proper selection of varieties, which, with a 

 good soil and high cultivation, are three of the most important 

 requisites in" pear culture. 



I will not name any methods of cultivation, as there are others 

 here who will take part in the discussion who are much better 

 qualified to describe the best methods than myself. 



