64 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1876. 



pointing to the enormous apple crop of the present year to support his 

 cheerful view. But such crops are terribly exhaustive. Few young 

 orchards are planted, and the complaint is universal that they fail to re- 

 pay the original cost. Too often are they set out in soil from which every 

 element essential to scrowth and fecundity was long since eliminated. 

 Oftener than not do they betray some fatal taint of inherited disease, 

 fatal to themselves and infecting all in immediate contiguity : and in the 

 majority of instances they are left to struggle as best they may, without 

 fertilization, their trunks moss-bound and swarming with insects, and 

 with roots either water-logged or parched from careless neglect of mulch- 

 ing. We cannot explain the mystery of their bearing fruit at all. But 

 still less can we account for the persistency with which they yield their 

 harvest, in defiance of such manifold obstacles. Even should the Fruit- 

 crop never totally fail, it cannot be denied that it might be made more 

 perfect. Kor can it be doubted that Science, assured of suitable remun- 

 eration for its investigations, could solve most of the problems that now 

 puzzle us, supplying remedies for disease and methods of prevention 

 from insects. Would not such a consummation be of as great benefit to 

 the community as the attempt, hitherto fruitless and always painful to 

 behold, of veteran politicians to be born again ! 



The disappearance of the Quince from the Exhibitions of our Horti- 

 cultural Societies grows more sadly evident with each recurring year. 

 Some time since it was hoped that its failure might be accounted for b}'- 

 the intense frost that heretofore swept the Cherry from existence. But 

 young bushes succeed no better, apparently lacking vigor to endure even 

 a moderate winter. The cherry trees have been replaced and, when let 

 alone by the Aphlis, return a bountiful crop. But there seems to be but 

 little constitutional vigor remaining in the Quince. It is rarely seen, 

 save at some old farmstead, where, among weeds and under neglect, it 

 maintains the arduous struggle for an unprofitable existence. Yet it is a 

 fruit of exceeding value for domestic uses, aud its cultivation would 

 doubtless repay its successful grower. At present the poorest specimens 

 command Five Dollars per bushel. They must be Apples of unusual ex- 

 cellence which will bring in to their ownei One Dollar per barrel. Diver- 

 sity in the pomological harvest is as indispensable as in the other branches 

 of Terraeculture. The planter who raised nothing but cotton became rap- 

 idly impoverished. The orchardist, who grows apples onl}', has himself 

 to thank for a glutted market and an empty purse. 



The Horticulturist has been compelled to wage fierce battle, through- 

 out the past season, with old and new insect foes. The Canker- Worm 

 was quite prevalent and proved constant in his devotion to the 



