202 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



of the bark, borers try the quality of the wood, and finally, the 

 top is taken off by some half-starved cow ; the farmer concludes 

 that raising fruit is very poor business, and gives up the 

 experiment in disgust. 



As a source of comfort and material prosperity, its culture 

 cannot be overestimated. With as oil well suited to its success 

 ful growth, one of the best markets in the world easily accessi- 

 ble, and the great markets of Philadelphia and Baltimore as a 

 reserve for the sale of his late varieties, the merchant of the 

 city has no greater facility for an advantageous disposal of any 

 number of barrels in those cities, than the producer ; always 

 bearing in mind the nearer the grower of the fruit comes to the 

 consumer, the greater his profit. 



A fertile soil, devoted entirely to the growth of the tree, is 

 an essential requisite of success. The expense of preparing 

 the ground, purchasing and setting trees, will not exceed $20 

 an acre. Allowing, for ten years after, the purchase of $25 an 

 acre for manure, the trees and crops during the time will pay 

 interest and expenses ; and at twelve years, many an orchard 

 has produced its four barrels to the tree, paying all expenses 

 in a single year. In the culture of the tree, removing the outer 

 bark at any stage of its growth is of doubtful expediency ; the 

 tree may, perhaps, require some pruning to check a too vigorous 

 growth, but as a protection from the sun's rays all the bark 

 should remain. The two great enemies of the tree and fruit, 

 the borer and curculio, are not sheltered by it, and other insects 

 are of minor importance. Clean culture, with plenty of 

 manure, is of more benefit than an iron scraper. 



Where the intention is a market orchard, two or three vari- 

 ties arc sufficient. Accidental circumstances may make the 

 Williams or a Sweet apple valuable for a few years, but high 

 prices are not to be depended upon, while the Baldwin and 

 Russet are long keepers, and with the Hubbardston, are always 

 reliable. Perhaps, for pasture trees, no apple equals for profit 

 the Hubbardston. The farmer who has a stock on hand, should 

 be as well accpiainted with the markets of New York and 

 Baltimore as he is of Boston. And always bear in mind the 

 fact, that it requires much more skill to raise the fruit in the 

 greatest perfection, than to sell it to the best advantage. 



Samuel H. Pierce, for Committee. 



Lincoln, September 19, 1861. 



