11 



great American pomologist, thought the fine apple-growing 

 section bounded by the Mohawk River in the North, and the 

 James River in the South. Fruit-growing in this State was 

 confined principally to apples and peaches. But very few of 

 the latter found their way to the markets of the North ; while 

 strawberries and other small fruits were scarcely to be seen, 

 except in the locality where they were raised. 



Now the culture of fruits has extended from Canada to 

 the Gulf of Mexico, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific 

 coast. Almost every steamer from New York for Liverpool 

 or London, in the fall and winter months, takes apples, vary- 

 ing from five hundred to three thousand barrels. Shipments 

 have been made from other ports ; and, as late as last May, 

 there were fifteen hundred barrels sent to England from 

 Philadelphia. In December last, ninety thousand barrels of 

 American apples were landed at Liverpool. These exports 

 have varied much in yearly amounts, occasioned by scarce or 

 abundant seasons. In 1861 the amount was only $269,000 ; 

 in 1871 it was $509,000 ; while for the year ending June 30, 

 1877, it amounted to $2,937,025, — as kindly furnished me 

 by Dr. Young, chief of the Bureau of Statistics — showing 

 an increase of more than five hundred per cent in five years. 

 Very little difficulty is experienced in the winter months ; but 

 arrangements have been made to ship in warm weather by 

 vessels with refrigerator compartments. 



As the refrigerating process becomes more and more per- 

 fect, it will aid largely the exportation, not only of apples, 

 but of more delicate fruits. Pears, peaches, and grapes have 

 been sent to England in good order; and it is confidently 

 expected that American peaches will soon be well, known in 

 the markets of England. 



How great the progress ! Massachusetts, in fruit-culture 

 as well as in other departments of educational and industrial 

 life, has been a great leader ; and from her has emanated, in 

 the early history of American pomology, more than from any 

 other source, the wide-spread interest that has distinguished 

 our land. 



Now Canada, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kansas, Nebras- 

 ka, California, Oregon, and other new States and Territories, 

 where the cultivation of fruits had scarcely commenced 

 when this Board was established, have made exhibitions of 



