326 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



at least an article of produce and sale — a source of revenue, 

 and with the light of the knowledge imparted by physiology, 

 he regards it as a most useful and necessary addition to his 

 daily bread, — a partial substitute for the physician, and a relief 

 to his pork barrel. The amateur horticulturist, with the curious 

 eye of the connoisseur, inspects the fine specimens of new and 

 rare, or perhaps older and more valuable varieties, and the 

 lover of beauty gratifies his artistic feelings by admiring the 

 fair proportions and rich colors of ruddy-cheeked apples, melt- 

 ing pears, luscious peaches and clustering grapes. For these, 

 or other reasons, all persons are more or less interested in 

 these productions of the garden and the orchard. 



As an article of profit, we incline to think that the cultivation 

 of fruit for the market is not sufficiently attended to in this 

 vicinity. The love of fine fruit in our community is increasing. 

 The better qualities are sought for, and the supply is unequal 

 to the demand. Good fruit has an increasing market value, 

 and a little extra care in gathering, assorting and packing, is 

 sure to be well repaid in the additional price obtained. 



It is not our purpose to attempt an essay on fruit cultivation, 

 to give advice as to the best methods of planting and feeding' 

 fruit trees, or to speak of the many obstacles in the way of 

 success. There are well written treatises, accessible to every 

 one, that contain the combined knowledge of many careful, 

 thoughtful and practical men. There is hardly any serious 

 difficulty that may not be overcome ; — there is but one subtle 

 enemy that we are unable to conquer. Whoever shall discover 

 and make known a simple and efficient check to the destruction 

 caused by this insignificant looking beetle, but most dangerous 

 enemy, — the curculio, — will do more than we can express, to 

 encourage fruit growers and advance the progress of horticul- 

 ture. At present, this pest has nearly deprived us of our plums, 

 and threatens to wrest from us our peaches, cherries, and even 

 apples ; while nectarines and apricots are now unheard of. 



A plan for increasing the size and hastening the maturity of 

 certain kinds of fi'uit, has been somewhat adopted and is worthy 

 of mention. Messrs. G. & C. Craft, of Brookline, exhibited 

 Isabella grapes treated in this manner, and grown in the open 

 air, perfectly ripe, and of remarkable size and beauty. This 

 fine grape does not ripen perfectly in this vicinity, unless the 



