EEPOETS. 



Report of the Committee on Fruits, 



FOR THE YEAR 1869. 

 BY W. C. STRONG, CHAIRMAN. 



"What are the experiences and suggestions of the year in respect to 

 Fruit culture in Massachusetts? In view of the fact that tlie total 

 product has been below the average, and, at the same time, that prices 

 instead of being higher have actually been lower; in view of the large 

 quantities and in some fruits the fine specimens which have been brought 

 to our markets from abroad, there may possibly be a feeling of discour- 

 agement among our cultivators in regard to future prospects. We 

 notice the enterprise of planters of small fruits in the Middle States. 

 We receive large quantities of Strawberries and other fruits at prices 

 below the line of profit to us. Of Peaches from the South we have 

 had an unprecedented supply, and at very low rates. Pears from Vir- 

 ginia, from Kansas, and from California have been equal, and some kinds 

 superior, to any we have ever produced. The Grape season has been 

 favorable with us, but not so in other sections. Still we have received 

 a fair supply from the West, and, judging from sijecimens sent from 

 California, we are inclined to think that, in future years, we shall have 

 larger quantities of Grapes from the Pacific slope and at rates quite 

 below those to which we have been accustomed. 



It is said that S30 per ton is the full price for the best of the 

 European varieties of Grapes, in the California vineyards. As these 

 vineyards are now but about a week's distance from us, and as we 

 know tlie product is likely to be immense, beyond anything the world 

 has heretofore seen, can we doubt that our markets will receive a large 

 supply and be considerably affected thereby. Beyond question, fruit 

 culture has received a stimulus throughout our vast domain which 

 gives promise of highest results. Can we in Massachusetts hope to 

 maintain our rank? Have our cultivators reason to expect that their 

 enterprise will be rewarded with profit? We still think so, we believe 

 there is reason for a hopeful enthusiasm in this field. In the first 

 place, we are to keep in mind the fact that within the next thirty years 



