No. 4.] FEUIT Gll(3WING. 93 



Mr. Hale. I should not care anything about that. In 

 our few years' experience in Connecticut we have never seen 

 any ill effects from exposure. But I can conceive that there 

 might be a time when the mercury sank to ten or twelve 

 degrees below zero, and a north-west gale came that lasted 

 two or three days, when a wind protector would l)e of value. 



Question. How late do you cultivate your orchard, and 

 is there not danger of cultivatino- it too late ? 



Mr. Hale. Oh, yes. That is a good question. We sel- 

 dom care to cultivate after the middle of July, but occasion- 

 ally do finish up the last week in July. But we never want 

 to lap over into August, on any account. 



Professor Roberts. I rather got the impression, from 

 the drift of the discussion this forenoon, that there are a 

 good many men in this audience who believe that they can 

 buy cattle food cheaper than they can raise it here in Massa- 

 chusetts. I believe there are a good many such men in New 

 York. I think we are carrying that idea a little too far. I 

 understand from your remarks that you believe that peo})le 

 had l)etter raise their fruit rather than l)uy it of other par- 

 ties. Am I right? 



Mr. Hale. Of course. 



Professor Roberts. And they can raise fruit cheaper 

 than they can ))uy it of you ? 



Mr. Hale. Yes. I expect a profit of at least one per 

 cent, and if you buy packages with the red labels upon them 

 you pay two or three per cent. 



Mr. Vincent. I live in Conway, in the western part of 

 the State. I have been engaged somewhat for the last two 

 or three years in raising plums, and so far I am rather 

 pleased with it. I have a Japanese variety which seems to 

 promise well. I would like to know if you have any fruits 

 in the plum line, and whether they arc sul)ject to the black- 

 knot? I have never seen any sym[)t()ms of the disease on 

 that tree, and I have had it five years. 



Question. What is it? 



Mr. Vincent. It is called the Botan. There are several 

 varieties of the Botan. I have been very much pleased with 

 it. 



Mr. Hale. I am o-lad the o-entleman has broui'ht that 



