CULTURE AND PRESERVATION OF FRUITS. 349 



ure to fruit trees as to other crops. The importance of clean 

 culture without injury to the roots of trees by deep ploughing 

 or spading. The early and proper thinning of fruit, and lastly, 

 that constant care and vigilance are the conditions of success. 



Tlie year 1870 has been in some respects the most remark- 

 able on record, and it may be profitable to note some of the 

 obvious results of such a season on certain fruits. The heat 

 and drought of the last summer were unusually severe ; but 

 notwithstanding this, the crop was abundant throughout New 

 England. The fruit, although perhaps not so large as usual, 

 was never smoother, handsomer or of better quality. This re- 

 mark will apply especially to pears, for even the Beurre Diel, 

 Flemish Beauty and some other varieties, which almost always 

 crack and blast, were perfectly fair and free from imperfections, 

 the old St. Michael or White Doyenne in many instances bear- 

 ing fair fruit. All the varieties of out-door grapes ripened per- 

 fectly without spot or mildew. Some of the varieties of grapes, 

 which seldom ripen in this latitude, came to maturity, and there 

 was neither mildew on the foliage or rot on the fruit, and 

 although the size of the clusters and berries was not of extra- 

 ordinary size, it was never more excellent in other respects. 



From these facts may we not draw the conclusion that mildew 

 on the foliage, the cracking and blasting of fruits in former years, 

 was the result of too much moisture, either in the air or the 

 earth, or perhaps both ; and do not these facts go to confirm our 

 theory in favor of the thorough drainage of lands used for fruit 

 culture? What the effect of such an extraordinary season may 

 be on fruit-trees, time only can determine. 



In regard to the small fruits, we advise that more attention be 

 given to their cultivation, especially the strawberry and currant. 

 Of the necessity of an increased supply, we need only to refer to 

 the able report of our associate member, Mr. Slade, in 1868-G9, in 

 which he states " that while the market increased in population 

 in seven years about forty per cent., the increase in consumption 

 of strawberries was over two hundred and fifty per cent.," or in 

 18G1 one box would supply a family of seven persons, and in 

 1868 the same family required three and a half boxes. 



With reference to the currant, it may be proper to observe 

 that the demand is constantly increasing, both for home use and 

 for shipment. True, the worm is a serious drawback on its 



