42 



ing, however, there is a reasonable amount of activity in this 

 direction. Apples are receiving by far the greatest amount 

 of attention, possibly because more attention has been paid 

 during the past few years to booming this fruit, but more 

 probably because of its keeping qualities as compared with 

 the more perishable fruits and berries. Considered by coun- 

 ties the summary of the answers to this question appears 

 about as follows: Berkshire, some new orchards, but not ex- 

 tensively, apples almost exclusively; Franklin, quite exten- 

 sively, apples, some peaches, pears and cherries ; Hampshire, 

 some, but not very extensively, apples and a few peaches ; 

 Hampden, increased activity, apples, peaches and a few 

 plums; Worcester, generally an increased acreage, and espe- 

 cially in certain localities, apples principally, also peaches, 

 pears, cherries and strawberries; Middlesex, generally an in- 

 creased acreage, with certain localities very active, among 

 which is Littleton and vicinity, apples largely, also peaches, 

 pears and small fruits; Essex, quite extensive operations, 

 apples, pears and peaches ; IsTorfolk, to a limited extent, 

 apples and peaches ; Bristol, increased acreage, apples and 

 peaches, the latter used largely as fillers, strawberry growing 

 on the wane ; Plymouth, activity is apparent only in special 

 localities, apples, peaches and pliuns; Barnstable, small or- 

 chards in different localities, apples, peaches and pears. 



WiNTERKII-LIXG OF FrUIT BuDS. 



In general, the past winter was a very favorable one to 

 fruit buds, the weather being exceptionally mild for the most 

 part. The month of February, however, brought with it 

 some cold weather, and during this month most of the damage 

 to buds occurred. 



The figures at hand show for the whole State that of 

 peach, plum and cherry buds the following percentages came 

 through the winter in good condition: peach, 77.8; plum, 

 72.8; cherry, 91.1. 



Fruit Bloom. 



This subject was quite fully discussed under the same 

 heading in the summary of general crop conditions, and 

 therefore further discussion is unnecessary. Suffice it to 



