124 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



over it with impunity. Cannot some of our chemists look- into 

 the matter, and give us something that will remain sticky for a 

 long time, or else that will poison the grubs? We saw one 

 very successful experiment tried last year, where the ground 

 was ploughed about four inches deep just before it froze up for 

 the winter. The worms were very plenty in the orchard the year 

 before, but this either killed them or frightened them away, for 

 there were none there of any consequence tliis year. 



Other insects, as caterpillars, borers, &c., are more easily 

 exterminated, and should be in all cases where they exist. 

 For the Committee, 



T. C. Thurlow. 



MIDDLESEX NORTH. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



APPLES — FIRST CLASS. 



In some towns within the limits of our society the crop of 

 apples is small ; but chiefly in parts where better attention was 

 paid to fruit-growing the crop is good. The blossom was full, 

 but the unfavorable weather which immediately followed caused 

 much of the young fruit to blast. 



Some people think they perceive a tendency in apple orchards 

 towards a general deterioration, tlie same as we see in peaches 

 and plums. Happily our most intelligent fruit-culturers do not 

 participate in this idea, but urge — and practise what they urge 

 — a more careful and thorough cultivation of the apple. The 

 means of information upon these points are so ample at the 

 present day that any suggestion from us, in this report, would 

 seem out of place. Apples are a staple commodity, profitable 

 to raise, healthy to eat, unequalled by any other fruit for culi- 

 nary purposes ; they are one of the necessaries of life, and we 

 liojoe to see their cultivation greatly extended in the towns 

 about Lowell. It has been fully demonstrated that with proper 

 cultivation most of the varieties of apple-trees will thrive and 

 bear well in our soils. We say set more apple-trees. There is 

 no danger of overdoing the business. 



One thing we would urge : that contributors pass in a state- 

 ment in regard to the peculiar characteristics of the articles 



