176 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



•we are so well persuaded that, though falling a little short of the 

 size attained in some sections this frnit is decidedly superior in 

 qnalit}', and attains the highest degree of excellence in our sturdy 

 climate and soil, that it becomes our duty to protect and promote 

 this interest by every means in our power. It is an interest which 

 requires protection, and possibly, Government aid. It is not 

 strictly a garden fruit ; its location is not in the near vicinity of 

 large cities ; it requires space and time ; it would be grateful for 

 sheltering belts of forest trees, to invite and retain moisture, and 

 break the force of sweeping winds. These are hard conditions, 

 sufficient to discourage our impatient and eager cultivators. As 

 a consequence our Apple orchards are falling into disrepute, and 

 their cultui-e is neglected. Yet there are thousands of acres of 

 hill-side in our Commonwealth which are peculiarly adapted to 

 produce this fruit in highest excellence, yielding a much larger 

 pecuniary return, even in years of abundance, like the present, 

 than do the ordinary farm crops, provided the experiment is con- 

 ducted judiciously and on a sufficiently extensive scale. Can this 

 Society promote this interest by diffusing information, by offering 

 prizes for new plantations, by invoking State aid, or in any other 

 legitimate way? These are questions in respect to one kind 

 of fiuit which we have no right to neglect. And so with other 

 fruits and flowers, it is our duty to give public expression of our 

 opinions and our knowledge, to diffuse information and make 

 full use of the influence given by our prominent position. 



Under the auspices of the Committee upon Lectures and Dis- 

 cussions, several meetings were held in the early part of the sea- 

 son, at which essay's upon various topics of interest were read 

 which were followed by discussions, in which a large numbci 

 participated. A combination of circumstances has prevented the 

 continuance of these discussions during the latter part of the 

 season, which is to be regretted. There can be no doubt of the 

 value of the free interchange of opinions and experiences of the 

 intelligent and i)ractical cultivators of this Society. The task of 

 the Committee has been to procure essayists and lecturers who 

 would freely i)resent topics of practical value. While we leave 

 this care with them, I venture to suggest whether we may not 

 with profit depart somewhat from our custom at stated and ad- 

 journed meetings, and, instead of conlining our attention to mat- 

 ters of business alone, we allow some latitude for the considera- 



