2 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



our population is to advance from forty millions up to one hundred 

 millions. What a stimulus to eftbrt is given by this simple fact of 

 increase in demand. "We shall have need to put forth all our energies to 

 feed this vast multitude. 



Again, local producers of fruits must always have a disproportionate 

 advantage over distant producers. Teas, Silks, Woollens, Cottons, 

 even the more bulky products of agriculture may be shipped from conti- 

 nent to continent. But fresh fruits deteriorate, and though, as we said 

 before, we must expect competition from beyond our State borders, yet 

 the home producer not merely saves the cost of forwarding and of 

 commissions, but, in the case of many fruits, he has the much more 

 important advantage of their fresh and healthy condition. He should 

 be encouraged, therefore, to contend against serious odds in soil and 

 climate. We do not rest here. For our most important fruits our stern 

 climate and soil are no discouragement. We acknowledge no inferior- 

 ity in the capabilities of Massachusetts, for the culture of fruit adapted 

 to this latitude. Let us briefly pass the list of fruits in review. 



Strawberries are admitted to be at home with us. In all respects our 

 soil and our climate are adapted to the perfect development of this val- 

 uable fruit. In ordinary seasons our beds make vigorous growth during 

 the burning months of July and August, producing large and firm 

 crowns, which are a sure index of a large croj), of superior size. In 

 warmer sections and dryer soils the beds become more or less burned 

 in midsummer, and consequently the fruit will be smaller. It is only 

 necessary to give generous culture, and hold in check the tendency to 

 make a sui:)erabundance of runners (an evil not sufficiently recognized), 

 in order to secure the best results, with a I'emarkable degree of certainty. 

 It is the testimony of visitors from abroad, that our exhibitions of this 

 fruit are superior in quality to any they have seen in other parts of the 

 country. As to the profit of growing the Strawberry there can be no 

 question. It is true our markets are aflfected by the low price of the 

 crop received through New York. Yet our fruit is so superior that it 

 bears its own price, to a good degree. Even the present season, when 

 the small fruit business has been confessedly overdone in the Middle 

 States, Avhen besides the large quantities, picked at low rates and sent to 

 us at a loss, there were still left other large quantities to perish in the 

 fields, our growers on the other hand have been amply compensated. 

 Our fruit was a little later, it was better in quality, it brought better 

 prices and was a remunerative crop. 



Nothing but wise culture is necessary to make the Cherry a success. 

 It is liable to injury in winter, but this, to a great degree, is owing 

 to over luxuriant growth, which can be checked. It is liable to the 

 sting of the curculio, but this is an evil which we can and must over- 

 come, however laborious the task. We have not had Cherries of late 



