350 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



cultivation, but an early application of powdered white hellebore, 

 when the dew is on, will readily exterminate the pest. 



Fruit has become almost a daily condiment of many families. 

 "We know of some where fruit constitutes more than half of their 

 subsistence daring the warm months, and that in these families 

 neither fever nor dysentery has appeared for nearly thirty years, 

 and in fact scarcely any other disease, and there is no doubt 

 whatever that where fruit is most regularly used, as food, there 

 health most abounds. This opinion having become more estab- 

 lished in the public mind, the demand for fruits will continue to 

 increase, especially for the strawl)erry, currant and other small 

 fruits which ripen in the summer months, when the constitution 

 requires their cooling, acidulous influence. Our market now is 

 largely supplied by strawberries brought from other States, but 

 we doubt not that, by judicious management, this fruit can be 

 made a highly remunerative crop in Massachusetts ; instances 

 of which are not now unfrequent, as is shown by its extended 

 cultivation by our friend Captain Moore and others at Concord. 



There still exists some difference of opinion in regard to the 

 best methods of cultivation ; but good results have been obtained 

 both with culture in hills and in beds, the opinion however 

 strongly prevailing that hermaphrodite varieties produce best in 

 hills. By the latter method weeds may be kept down with the 

 hoc at much less expense than by hand-weeding of beds. 



In regard to the preservation of fruits we have but little to 

 add to our report of 1869-70, and the opinions expressed by the 

 chairman of this committee in his lecture before the Board at 

 Pittsfield in 1869, page 95 of the Secretary's report. While the 

 patent fruit-houses are of undoubted benefit where carefully 

 watched and controlled, especially in preserving for a limited 

 time early fruits, when the market is glutted with a superabun- 

 dance of autumn pears, yet we cannot but fear that the expense, 

 constant care and superintendence necessary for success of these 

 houses, will prevent their general use. 



Fruit-houses constructed with greater simplicity and cheap- 

 ness are necessary for general use, and our fruit-growers must 

 rely upon their rooms and cellars to be constructed by them- 

 selves. Fruits are of a perishable character, and require con- 

 stant care and watching ; but there are many cellars where they 

 can be kept to good advantage if the necessary conditions for 



