170 HATCH EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



measures 10^ by 11|^ by 22 inches inside, giving a capacity 

 of 2,(i5H| cubic inches, or considerably over a bushel, — in 

 fact, more nearly five pecks. This box is made with ends of 

 1-inch lumber, sides, top and bottom of |-inch wood, the 

 whole being firmly dovetailed at the corners. It forms a 

 fine package for the foreign trade, though it is larger and 

 more expensive than necessary. 



We would not recommend any one to undertake the use 

 of the bushel box for apples on a large scale without consid- 

 erable preliminary experiment ; but we consider it well worth 

 trying. We shall be glad to answer any inquiries on this 

 subject, so far as our experience and information allow. 



Notes on Quinces. 



One of the most profitable crops during the last two years 

 on the farm of the horticultural department has been fur- 

 nished by the quince orchard. This consists of about 250 

 trees, of all sizes, ages and varieties. The larger })art of 

 them are growing on a springy slope at the base of a hill. 

 The soil is good, rich alluvium, excellent for garden crops 

 when dry enough. The particular spot where these trees 

 stand has been partially drained by tile some time ago, but 

 these drains have now become so much cloijged that the land 

 is quite wet during a considerable part of the year. 



Under these conditions the plantation gave an abundant 

 crop of very fine fruit in 1902, and a very fair crop of nearlj'^ 

 as good quality in 1903. These were sold mostly at whole- 

 sale, — that is, to market men and dealers, or through com- 

 mission men in Boston, Worcester and Springfield. 



In 1902 the No. 1 fruit, which constituted by far the bulk 

 of the crop, sold for $2 a bushel. In most cases this price 

 was received for the fruit f. o. h. at Amherst, though that 

 shipped on commission to the three cities named sold for $2 

 in those markets, and charges had to be deducted. The 

 No. 2 fruit sold for 75 cents, $1, $1.25 and $1.50 a bushel, 

 averaging about $1.25. 



In 1903 quinces were very scarce, but at the same time 

 the crop on the trees was not so large nor of quite such good 

 quality. The No. 1 fruit brouglit $2 and $2.25 (mostly the 



