xxiv BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



The Excoueagement of Oechakding. 



A new line of work for the year was that under the appro- 

 priation for the encouragement of orcharding, made by the 

 Legislature of 1910. A special committee, consisting of 

 Messrs. Bursley and Wheeler and Professor Sears, pomolo- 

 gist to the Board, prepared a plan for the carrying out of the 

 provisions of the act, which was accepted by the executive 

 committee, acting for the Board. Under this plan prizes 

 were offered for the greatest yield from any single apple tree ; 

 for the greatest yield from any acre of apple trees, trees to 

 be in one solid block ; for the best results from spraying, and 

 for the best young orchard, of not less than two acres, trees 

 not necessarily in one solid block, set in 1908 or 1909. The 

 first three classes were awarded on sworn statements by the 

 contestants, and the last class as the result of an inspection by 

 Mr. Wilfrid Wheeler, acting as judge. The prizes were 

 awarded as follows : Class 1, — first prize, $25, to Frederick 

 A. Russell of Methuen, for a yield of 56 bushels from a 

 Gravenstein tree ; second prize, $15, to C. W. Mann of 

 Methuen, for 44 bushels from a Baldwin tree ; third prize, 

 $10, to Rev. IT. B. Fiske of Danvers, for 32 1-2 bushels from 

 a Wealthy tree. Class 2, — first prize, $50, to the Drew- 

 Munson Fruit Company of Littleton, for 227 barrels of 

 Baldwin ai:>ple3; second prize, $30, to Rev. IST. B. Fiske of 

 Danvers, for 115 barrels of Baldwin apples. Class 3, — 

 first prize, $30, to Rev. jST. B. Fiske of Danvers ; second 

 prize, $20, to the Drew-Munson Fruit Company of Little- 

 ton. Class 4, — first prize, $50, to Turner Hill Farm of 

 Ipswich, with a score of 95; second prize, $30, to H. A. 

 Hale of Colrain, with a score of 92 ; third prize, to E. Cyrus 

 Miller of Haydenville, with a score of 91. 



One demonstration meeting was held under this appro- 

 priation, at Medway, with very good results. It is planned 

 to hold at least two meetings each year in future. Another 

 feature to be developed during the current year is an exhibit 

 of Massachusetts apples, in conspicuous places in Boston and 

 other large cities. The fruit has been secured and plans are 

 under Avay for its being shown. 



