198 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



young trees thus insuring some remuneratii)n from the hind 

 until the trees come into bearing. We need more capital to invest 

 in fruit lands, but we cannot get the capital until results can be 

 shown that will induce capitalists to invest in such ventures, and 

 along with the money we need more trained men to take up this 

 work and give to it the painstaking care that is given to other 

 lines of business. 



The possibilities for fruit growing in ^Massachusetts have not 

 been realized as yet and will not be imtil we have a more scientific 

 knowledge of our soils, climate, market, and other conditions 

 which bear upon this industry. Undoubtedly our Society should 

 do more toward stimulating a desire to produce more fruit in the 

 home garden; and especially in the suburbs of our cities where 

 so many of the small back yards which are capable of producing 

 good fruit are now* allowed to lie idle and neglected. The fruit 

 committee would suggest that the Society extend aid to any who 

 would care to develop their limited resources, and as a suggestion 

 a letter or prospectus might be made up and mailed to any who 

 may be interested in such an opportunity. 



In looking back over the history of our society it is noticed with 

 regret that interest in fruit culture has been gradually falling off. 

 As far back as 1852 our exhibitions were filled each year with many 

 new varieties of fruit and particularly the grape which was at that 

 time of great interest to growers and hybridizers. Then, too, the 

 pear was a fruit much thought of and we hear of one of our former 

 presidents exhibiting over 300 varieties from his own garden. More 

 of the small fruits, with the exception of the strawberry, were grown 

 at that time, and the cherry flourished everywhere near Boston. 

 Indeed, the suburbs of Boston seemed like one large fruit garden 

 and keen competition marked the exhibitions of the society. In 

 some ways the loss of this fruit gartlening can be explained for now 

 it is possible to get a greater variety of fruit and at all seasons 

 shipped from distant points, while then in order to get fruit at all 

 one had to grow it himself. However, it does not seem right that 

 we should lose an industry or an avocation which promises so 

 much health and enjoyment to the grower. 



INIarket prices have ruled this year as follows (wholesale) : 



