422 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



drying up of the soil, the young tree, recently planted, withers, 

 fades, and dies ; the larger trees languish, the leaves grow yel- 

 low, the fruit is either for the most part knurly and imperfect, 

 or drops prematurely from the tree, while that which remains 

 and matures goes swiftly to decay after it is gathered. Of 

 these evils, mulching is the greatest cure yet discovered, and 

 its effect always is to produce a healthy, thrifty, generous growth, 

 with fair, juicy, abundant', and lasting fruits. 



James Richardson, Chairman. 



Statement of A. W. Stetson on the Method of preserving 



Apples. 



The fruit must be taken from the tree by hand, wrapped in 

 paper, (common " tea paper" is preferable,) and put in cork 

 dust, which costs about $1.25 per barrel. One barrel of cork 

 dust is sufficient for four barrels of fruit. It is not necessary 

 to head the barrel. By this method apples will retain their 

 flavor for six or eight weeks longer than by the ordinary way. 

 It is perhaps unnecessary to say that the fruit must be sound, 

 and not over-ripe, when put in. The fruit, when barrelled, 

 must be kept in a cool place ; but, from my experiments, it is 

 a matter of indifference whether it is damp or dry. I have 

 tried this method of preserving my apples for three years, and 

 have, from time to time, exhibited them at the Horticultural 

 Rooms. The cork dust will retain its efficiency for some years. 



BRISTOL. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



Our spacious City Hall was well and amply filled with the 

 varieties of the fruits and flowers which the season affords. 

 Although the general prematurity of the fruits of the pre- out 

 year had nearly deprived us of some of the varieties which 

 usually occupy a conspicuous place in our exhibitions, yet, under 

 this disadvantage, the display, both in quantity and quality, was 



