178 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



of poultry manure was added. This treatment has changed the orchard 

 from a state of aegled and decay, to one of thrifty, healthy growth, and 

 best of all, the apples, which a tew years ago were worthless, being full of 

 apple maggot, codlin-moth, sooty fungus, and other pests, are now of 

 good size, tine color, excellent quality, and sell for the best prices. 



It is the practice of the owner of this orchard to grow even - year some 

 crop which can be ploughed into the soil to supply nitrogen; this is now all 

 the cultivation the orchard receives. 



Summing up results as to the value to this Society of the experiment 

 of the orchard contest, in the tirst place, it has emphasized the fact that 

 good apples can be grown in almost any location provided the grower will 

 use the best known methods of orchard culture, and give the care and 

 attention to this business that it receives in the West. Apple growing 

 has gol to become a business in Massachusetts, so the days of the apple 

 tree of the pasture and roadside are numbered, for with insects and disease 

 abroad, the tree which receives no care will soon succumb to its cmemies. 

 In the second place this contest has again impressed the fact that spraying 

 i~< a very necessary part of orchard management, being most essential in 

 controlling the various bacterial, insect, and fungous enemies. 



Spraying also adds greatly to the appearance of the fruit, the health of 

 the bark and the leaves of the trees, in short solves many of the most 

 difficult of orchard problems. 



Such contests, as the one we have reported to you, tire undoubtedly 

 of value and should be encouraged by our Society especially along the 

 lines of new orchards. 



The Society appropriated $193.00 for fruit prizes during the 

 year 1910. Of this amount $178.00 has been awarded, leaving an 

 unexpended balance of $15.00. There have been awarded also 

 2 Silver Medals and 1 First (lass Certificate of Merit. 



The awards made during the year are as follow: 



PRIZES AND GRATUITIES AWARDED FOR FRUITS. 

 1910. 



Midwinter Flower Show. 

 February 25, 26, and 27. 



For the best collection of Winter Apples, not less than four varieties: 



1st. (i. V. Fletcher, $5. 



Gratuities: — 



L. F. Priest, Roxbury Russet apples. $2. 

 (i. Y. Fletcher, collection of pears, $2. 



F. W. Dahl, •' " " $1. 



