26th February, A. D. 1891. 



ESSAY 



BY 



E. W. WOOD, OF Newton. 

 Theme: — Orchard Fruits. 



In considering the subject of fruit culture, it is well to con- 

 sider its relative commercial value compared with other leading 

 agricultural and horticultural products of the State, also what, 

 if any, are the local advantages for its production in this 

 vicinity. The Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, in 

 his report for 1887, gives the following estimates for a single 

 year : Fruit, $3,000,000 ; Market Garden, $2,500,00 : Butter, 

 $2,700,000; Corn, $1,000,000; Potatoes, $2,500,000; and this 

 does not include the larger amount grown in private gardens 

 and on small estates for domestic use. 



The advantages of location are, first, in being situated in 

 almost the centre of what may be termed the apple belt of the 

 country. The northern portion of the Middle States, the New 

 England States and a portion of the British Provinces produce 

 the best apples, especially the later varieties known to com- 

 merce. And second, the opportunities for disposing of the crop. 



With a constantly increasing home market and nearer the 

 foreign market than any State having equal shipping facilities, 

 with railroads running to every part of the State affording 

 quick and cheap transportation, with simply a reference to 

 the favorable opportunity offered to those wishing to engage in 

 fruit culture by the large quantity of land running up with a 

 growth of wood of little value but admirably calculated for 

 growing the tree fruits and which can be purchased at a nominal 



