PROGRESS AT THE HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTER 



As you may recall, in the fall of 1961 it became apparent that the 

 old University of Massachusetts orchard area in Amherst, which had been 

 available for fruit research and teaching purposes for over 50 years, 

 was needed for dormitories to accomodate an additional 1,300 students 

 at the University. When this information was made known to the Direc- 

 tors ol the Massachusetts Fruit Growers' Association, Mr. Jonathan Davis, 

 Derwood Frost, Elmer Fitzgerald, G. Stacy Gay and Jesse Rice were author- 

 ized to see what could be done to establish a new site for fruit and 

 other liorticultural research and teaching at the University. 



This group found the Robert Hanifin Farm at Belchertown available 

 and immediately initiated a fund raising campaign for its purchase so 

 that it might eventually be presented to the University for continued 

 horticultural research and teaching. By the spring of 1962 over $40,000 

 was pledged by approximately 200 individuals, associations and industries 

 which have an interest in commercial horticulture in Massachusetts and 

 New England. On June 26, 1962, at a banquet sponsored by the University 

 administration, with Dr. John W. Lederle, President; Dr. Frank L. Boyden,, 

 Chairman, Board of Trustees; Dr. A„ A. Spielman, Dean of the College of 

 Agriculture and the Massachusetts Fruit Growers' Association Directors 

 as invited guests, this Horticultural Research Center was presented to 

 the Trustees of the University of MassachusetTis as a Trust. We are cer- 

 tain that gifts of this sort to universities are rare. Also, the con- 

 tributors have been so interested in this project that 100 per cent of 

 the money pledged has been received. 



The Horticultural Research Center consists of about 215 acres of 

 land, what was once a dairy barn complex, a common storage and a farm 

 house. About 7 5 acres of cleared land appear to be very suitable for 

 fruit. The remainder is either in woodland or pasture. This center is 

 15 miles from Amherst and is situated above much of the surrounding 

 countryside, with ,an excellent view of the distant Holyoke Range. 



In order to put the land and buildings in shape for experimental 

 purposes following its acquisition by the University, much effort, time 

 and additional money has been expended. The following is a list of the 

 major accomplishments at this Research Center during the past two years. 



1. Prior to planting trees approximately one mile of tile 

 drains were laid to improve soil drainage in two large areas. 



2. The barn complex has been extensively repaired and repainted. 

 Concrete floors, asphalt driveways, overhead doors, toilet facil- 

 ities, rewiring and heating systems have been installed so that we 

 now have good facilities for storage and servicing of equipment and 

 supplies plus comfortable working quarters for the orchard foreman 

 and his labor force. 



