/« ^^-■''"^ .o<-JJ'««® \ o. ise^' DATE DUE d UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LIBRARY SB 354 ^234 '- 1900 mr This book may be kept out TWO WEEKS only, and is subject to a tine of TWO CENTS a day thereafter. It will be due on the day indicated below. TRANSACTIONS OF THE MAINE STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY FOR THE YEAR 1900. Including the Proceedings of the Winter Meeting held in Norway ^ovennber 13 ard 14, 1900. EDITED BY THE SECRETARY, CHAS. S, POPE, AUGUSTA KKNNEr.EC JOURNAL PRINT I9OI. LIBRARY UNIVF"^!''^ OF ! AMHER^l. MASS. l._.. A] 51 ^ "i Cr^ 1^ CONTENTS. PAGE In ^lemoriam — Lyman F, Abbott 5 Aaron Littlefield Simpson 6 Introductory 7 Officers for 1901 10 List of Members 11 Treasurer's Report 13 Premiums Awarded 15 Report of Executive Committee 20 Annual Meeting at Norway 25 Address of Welcome, J. A. Roberts 25 Response, D. H. Knowlton 27 Strawberries for Profit, H. W. Collingwood. 30 Quality as a Factor in Commercial Fruit Growing, Z. A. Gilbert. . 38 Evaporating Fruit from a Commercial Standpoint, F. H. Rollins.. 45 Preserving and Canning Fruit, Mrs. R. H. Libbey 50 Care of Plants for House and Garden, Miss G. P. Sanborn 55 Nature Studies for the Farmers' Boys, Mrs. V. P. DeCoster 62 Saving a Farm, H. W. Collingwood 68 Secretary's Portfolio : Apples of the Fameuse Type 76 Orchard Cultivation 88 Spraying in Blossom 90 Orchard Crops 90 Renovate the Old Orchard 9^ Fruit Specialists 92 Horticultural Meetings 93 Pollination in Orchards 93 1 3 rg-y LYMAN F. ABBOTT IN MEMORIAM. LYMAN F. ABBOTT. The death of Lyman F. Abbott, which occurred at his home in Lewis- ton, March 3c, 1900, removes from our society one of its most reHable and valuable officers, and demands from us more than a passing notice. From his boyhood Mr. Abbott had been closely connected with the farm and interested in everything that pertained to it ; few men in the State were bettej known and more thoroughly trusted by the farmers. He was the son of Nathaniel and Mary vStockbridge Abbott, and was born in Andover in 1830. Here he lived, engaged in farming till he was thirty-four years old, when he removed to Wilton. He remained in Wilton seventeen years, occupied in trade and farming. During his resi- dence in Andover he began writing for the agricultural columns of the Oxford Democrat, and other papers. In 1882 he became agricultural editor of the Lewiston Journal, which position he held until his death, and in addition to his editorial duties he frequently contributed to the leading agricultural papers, and also to the annual reports of the State department of agriculture. These articles covered a wide range of topics, for his interest was not limited to a few subjects. He was an enthusiastic entomologist, acquainted with the farmer's insect friends and enemies, following their life history through all its changes, and knowing when to check and when to encourage them. Bee-keeping was a constant and fascinatiiig study to him. and his papers on this subject were delightful reading. He was also greatly interested in stock-breeding, in the introduction of new breeds, and the improvemenL of the old standards by the infusion of new blood. Still another interest brought him in touch with our work. He was long a cultivator of flowers, and especially enjoyed the development of our beautiful native shrubs under his own care ; the cultivation of small fruits was a pastime and a pleasure, while the larger problems of orchard managemem, pruning, fertilizing and tillage, presented an ever changing and widening lield for study. As an officer of the Pomological Society his unfailing kindliness and courtesy rendered him especially acceptable, while his devotion to its interests, his eager welcome of new and improved methods, and his con- stant efforts to enlarge its sphere of usefulness and influence, made him invaluable. But his was an instance where the sum of his work was far below the measure of the man. Added to his intelligent mind and persevering industry was a personal affection, a sympathy that reached out to all humanity in its struggles and sufferings, the close, warm, human touch that uplifts and strengthens. Of a modest and retiring disposition, a strong religious faith and a singularly pure, upright life, all things beauti- ful in the natural world and all the sweetness, purity and nobility of human life touched in him a responsive chord. To every appeal for sympathy and encouragement he gave of his best — himself — unselfishly and unsparingly, and was ever, in the highest sense of the word, a benefactor. AARON LITTLEFIELD SIMPSON. Aaron Liitlefield Simpson was a native of Dixmont. His grandfather Simpson served in the French and Indian War, and marched through the wilds of Maine in Arnold's expedition to Quebec; he also fought with the colonists in the Revolution. His father took part in thf v;ar of 1812. The subject of the present sketch saw service in the Aroostook War as corporal in Captain Hussey's company of volunteers, and helped build the fort at Fort Fairfield. Having taken a course of legal study he was admitted to the bar in 1S48, and practiced his profession in Bangor continuously until his death, February 7, 1901. The feeling of public confidence in him is shown by the fact that he served the community as member of the common council and of the board of aldermen, as chairman of the school committee, and for a number of years as city solicitor. In January. 1895, he was appointed by President Cleaveland collector of customs for the port of Bangor. Mr. Simpson was a charter member of the Maine Pomological Society, chairman of the committee that called its first meeting and for several years its vice-president. He was also, for many years, president of the Bangor Horticultural Society. He was deeply interested in everything relating to horticulture and always cultivated in his own garden, apple, pear, plum and cherry trees, and the whole list of small fruits. In the culture, development and improvement of the strawberry he was an enthusiast, while the vegetables and flowers gave variety and delight to his gardening. To the end of his life he found in his garden an ever-new enjoyment and recreation from his professional labors, and here, every day, in rain or sunshine, he came in loving contact with nature, strength- ened and uplifted by her healing touch. INTRODUCTORY. During the past year illness and death have made sad inroads in the ranks of our officers, and materially lessened the work which we had hoped to accomplish. Several meetings were planned in different sections of the State, some of which we were tmable to hold as we expected. In answer to calls from several places, speakers were sent out by the society to give instruction in spraying in accordance with the vote of the executive com- mittee. The president, with the assistance of Prof. Gowell, held a horticultural school at Northport, May 4. Lessons in spraying were given by Prof. Munson, and a paper on drainage and til- lage by Prof. Gowell. The annual meeting and exhibition of the society was held at Norway, November 13 and 14. The col- lection of winter apples was the finest we have ever shown, the conditions of the past season having been especially favorable to the production of superior fruit. On one long table were exhibited one hundred and twenty plates of twelve specimens each, representing seven of our leading varieties of winter apples; large, uniform in size, highly colored and entirely free from any blemish, they made up an exhibit not soon to be for- gotten by those who saw it, and one which, we believe, has never before been equalled in New England. A fine display of canned fruits and jellies, also of chrysanthemums and other cut flowers and ornamental plants added variety and attractiveness to the exhibition. At their autumn meeting in Cleveland, O., the apple shipoers of the country announced that there was a prospect of a crop not less than that of 1896. This statement was reported and enlarged upon by the newspapers until the orchardists were con- vinced that the country was overstocked with apples, and many sold at prices that barely paid the cost of picking and barreling. 5 state: pomoi,ogical socie:ty. The farmers who thus disposed of their apples lost heavily, and needlessly, and this calls our attention again to the import- ance and necessity of reliable crop reports. While the crop was very large in some of the best fruit-grow- ing sections of the country, the central south w^'est, which has become a large factor in apple production, had a small crop of inferior fruit. The destructive gale in September, and the prev- alence of bitter rot also lessened the crop materially, and these conditions should have been taken into account by the producers of Maine. Our interest in this m.atter of wide-awake, up-to- date reports is sufficient to warrant considerable outlay for such information as would insure the marketing of our crops intelli- gently. It seems to us that the most hopeful source of such mformation lies in the various State horticultural societies. We would suggest that our society take the initiative in calling on them to form, a national organization for this purpose. To this central station the different horticultural societies should report several times during the season the condition of the orchards, the ravages of insects and of fungus diseases and the prospective amount and quality of the fruit. The results of these reports, distributed among the mem.bers, would furnish them information secured for their benefit and much more valuable and reliable than that supplied by the shippers. The facilities for transportation and the system of marketing are improving every year, so there is not the danger of an over- stocked market and consequent loss that threatened us even a few years ago. Apple buyers from the West acknowledged that they came to Maine because the quality of our fruit could not be surpassed, and our apples have this year a reputation second to none. If v/e are awake to the importance of keeping and extending this reputation we will give our neglected orchards better care in dressing, tilling and pruning, as well as in spraying for the dis- truction of insects and fungus diseases. Though nature may not soon again be so lavish of her favors to us as she was this year, yet she will not fail to reward intelligent and persistent effort. If to such thoroughness and care in cultivation as will insure superior fruit we will add care in handling and honesty in pack- state: POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 9 ing our apples we need not fear to place our fruit in competition with that grown anywhere in this country, or in Europe. Through the efforts of President W. M. Munson a few growers were induced to send apples to the Paris Exposition, and I am in receipt of the following letter in reference to the same. U. vS. Department of Agriculture, Division oe Pomology, Washington, D. C, June 8, 1900. Mr. Charles S. Pope, Secretary Maine State Pomological Society, Manchester, Maine: Dear Sir: — Advices just received from the Paris Exposition through Mr. Wm. A. Taylor, Assistant Pomologist in charge of installation of the United States exhibits in Group VIII, Horti- culture, announces that among the awards made by the second International Competitive Temporary Exhibit that the Maine State Pomological Society was awarded a second prize. Accept my hearty congratulations. Other competitive exhibits are to follow^ and you may hear from us again. Very truly, G. B. BRACKETT, Pomologist. OFFICERS FOR 1901. President. Z. A. Gii^BKRT, North Greene. Vice-Presidents. D. P. True, Leeds Center, C. A. Arnold, Arnold. Secretary. D H. Knowlton, Farmington. Treasurer. Charles S. Pope, Manchester. Executive Committee. The President and Secretary, e.v-ofPcio ; John W. True, New Gloucester ; R. H. Libbey, Newport ; V. P. DeCoster, Buckfield. Trustees. Androscoggin county, John Briggs, Turner. Aroostook county, Edward Tarr, Castle Hill. Cumberland county, T. M. Merrill, West Gloucester. Franklin county, F. D. Grover, Bean. Hancock county, Mrs. S. E. Brimmer, Mariaville. Kennebec county, E. A. Eapham, Pittston. Knox county, Alonzo Butler, Union. Lincoln county, H. J. A. Simmons, Waldoboro. Oxford county, Lemuel Gurney, Hebron. Penobscot county, C. A. Arnold, Arnold. Piscataquis county, H. L. Leland, East Sangerville. Sagadahoc county, A. P. Ring, Richmond Corner. Somerset county, P\ E. Nowell, Fairfield. Waldo county, Fred Atwood, Winterport. Washington county, J. F. Sprague, Charlotte. York county, C. A. Hooper, Eliot. Member Bxperunent Station Council. Charles S. Pope, Manchester. MEMBERvS OF THE SOCIETY. Note.— Any errors or changes of residence should be promptly reported to the Secretary. Members will also confer a favor by furnishing the Secretary with their full Christian names where initials only are given. LIFE MEMBERS. Andrews, A. Emery Gardiner Andrews, Charles E Auburn Arnold, C. A Arnold Atherton, VVm. P Hallowell Atkins, Charles G Bucksport Atwood, Fred Winterport Averill, David C Temple Bailey, W. G Freeport Bennoch, John E Orono Bickford, Lewis I Dixmont Center Bisbee, George E Auburn Blanchard, Mrs. E. E Lewiston Boardman, Samuel L Augusta Bi'iggs, John Turner Burr, John Freeport Butler, Alonzo Union Chandler, Mrs. Lucy A Freeport Chase, Henry M.,103 Federal St., Portland Chase, Martin V. B Augusta *Cole, Horatio G Boston, Mass. Corbett, Herman Farmington Crafts, Moses. .. Auburn Crowell, John H Farmington Cummings, Mrs. Anthony Auburn Dana, Woodbury S Portland Dawes, S.H Harrison DeRocher, Peter Bradentown, Fla Dirwanger, Joseph A Portland Dunham, W. W North Paris Dyer, Milton Cape Elizabeth Emerson, Charles L South Turner Farnsworth, B. B Portland Frost, Oscar F Monmouth Gardiner, Robert H Boston, Mass. George, C. H Hebron Gilbert, Z. A North Greene Goddard, Lewis C Woodfords Grover, Franklin D Bean Gurney, Lemuel Hebron Hackett. E. C West Gloucester Hall, Mrs. H. A Brewer Hanscom, John Saco Harris, N. W Auburn Harris, William M Auburn Harvey, F. L Orono Hobbs, M. Curtis West Farmington Hoxie, James S North Fairfield Hoyt, Mrs. Francis Winthrop Jackson, F. A Winthrop Johnson, Isaac A Auburn Keene, Charles S Turner Knowlton, D. H Farmington Lapham, E. A Pittston Litchfield, J. H Auburn Lombard, Thurston M Auburn Luce, Willis A South Union McLaughlin, Henry Bangor McManus, John Brunswick Merrill, T. M West Gloucester Mitchell, Frederick H Turner Moody, Charles H Turner Moore, William G Monmouth Moor, F. A Waterville Morton, J. A Bethel Page, F. W Augusta Parsons, Howard G Turner Center Perley, Chas. I Cross Hill Pope, Charles S Manchester Prince, Edward M... West Farmington Pulsifer, D. W Poland Purington, E. F West Farmington Richards, John T Gardiner Ricker, A. S Turner Roak, George M Auburn Robinson, Henry A. Foxcroft * Rolf e, Samuel Portland Sanborn, Miss G. P Augusta Sawyer, Andrew S Cape Elizabeth Sawyer, George B Wiscasset Simmons, H. J. A Waldoboro Skillings, C. W North Auburn Smith, Henry S Monmouth Deceased. 12 state: pomological socikty. LIFE MEMBERS— Concluded. Snow, Mary S Bangor Starrett, L. F Warren Stetson, Henry Auburn ♦Stanley, Charles Winthrop Stanley, O. E Wlnthrop Stilpben, Asbury C Gardiner Strout, S. F West Falmouth Taylor, Miss L. L„ (Lakeside) Belgrade Thomas, William W., Jr Portland Thomas, D. S North Auburn Thurston, Edwin West Farmington Tilton, William S Boston, Mass Townsend, Mrs. B. T Freeport True, Davis P Leeds Center True, John W New Gloucester Vickery, James Portland Vickery, John. Auburn Wade, Patrick Portland Walker, Charles S Peru Walker, Elmer V Oxford Waterman, Willard H East Auburn Wheeler, Charles E Chesterville Whitney, Edward K Harrison * Woodman, George W Portland Yeaton, Samuel F West Farmingtoa Abbott, L. F Lewiston Cook, Elijah Vassalboro Cook, Mrs. Sarah F... Vassalboro Cook, Miss Eva L Vassalboro Davis, F Newport Deering, Mrs. R. A Newport Eastman, A. A Dexter Folsom, C. A Palmyra Grant, Mrs. Alice Newport Leland, Will E East Sangerville ANNUAL MEMBERS, 1899. Libbey , R. H Newport Libbey, Mrs. Clara M Newport Marsh, Mrs. J. B Newport Munson, W. M Orono Nowell, F. E Fairfield Phinney, C. S Standisb Pope, Mrs. M. E Manchester Sturgis, C. G Auburn Tarr, E.. Mapleton Twitchell, G. M Augusta ANNUAL MEMBERS E. W. Wooster Hancock S. F. Sweetsir New Gloucester V. P. DeCoster Buckfield J. W. Ricker East Auburn F. H. Rollins Farmington Falls Mrs. W. S. Marsh Intervale Mrs. A. S. Carsley New Gloucester Mrs. A. C. Chandler New Gloucester Mrs. A . L. Richards New Gloucester Z. McAllister Lovell Benj. Tucker Norway Mrs. E. F. Bryant Buckfield J. \^i' . Bradbury Norway 1900. O. N. Cox North Norway Mrs. Frank G. Noble — Norway Mrs. O. B. Upton Norway airs. J. A. Chadbourne.. .North Bridgton Herbert M. Tucker South Paris S. D. Edwards Oxford Elmer V. Walker Oxford A.C.Day South Turner J. W.Dudley Castle Hill S. L. Merchant Winthrop L. P. Toothaker Simpsons Corner E. Tarr Mapleton * Deceased. TREASURER'S REPORT. Charles S. Pope, Treasurer, in Account with Maine State Pottiological Society for, Year 1900. RECEIPTS. January 1, Cash from Treasurer of 1899 $432 79 Farmington National Bank, Interest on stock 10 00- February 15, State stipend 1,000 00 19, Farmington Water Company, interest on stock 5 00 April 2, Gardiner National Bank, interest on stock 3 00 July 1, Farmington National Bank, interest on stock 10 00 August 4, Farmington Water Company, interest on stock 5 00 4, Gardiner National Bank, interest on stock 3 00 November 6, Augusta Safe Deposit and Trust Co., interest on deposit — 62 41 Membership fees 26 oa Total 1,557 20 EXPENDITURES. Jan. 20, Mrs. E. True, for board of officers at New Gloucester $4 50 24, E. Wooster, expenses attending New Gloucester meeting 10 00 24, A. H. Kirkland, lecture and expenses 25 10 24, Chas. S. Pope, Treasurer, premiums awarded at New Gloucester 93 75 24, Fred W. Lee, stenographer at Newport meeting 21 4& 24, G. H. Sturgis, reporting for New Gloucester meeting 8 65 24, Anna Barrows, lecture and expenses, New Gloucester 27 00 March 5, Maine Farmer Publishing Co., printing premium lists, etc 12 73 April 12, Bertha O. True, services as clerk at New Gloucester 5 00 12, J. W. True, expenses at Augusta and express on trunk 7 16 12, W. M. Munson, expenses as member of Executive Committee... 16 30 May 16, G. M. Gowell,, expenses attending Pomological Schools, Auburn, Hebron, Northport 8 30 16, W. M. Munson expenses and lecture at Northport 27 30 16, W. M. Munson, completing work of Secretary, 1899 50 00 16, MaineFarmer Publishing Co., printing circulars, New Gloucester 1 50 16, Augusta Safe Deposit Company, rent of box 5 00 July 20, Charles S. Pope, expenses to New Gloucester, postage on re- ports, etc 24 12 25, Charles S. Pope, attending meeting at Topsham 6 45 Nov. 8, Augusta Safe Deposit Company, in favor of permanent fund — 100 00 15, Canadian Express Company, transportation of fruit and exhibi- tion material 21 15 21, R. H. Libbey, attending meeting at New Gloucester and Norway 27 70 21, V. P. DeCoster, expenses as executive committee, Lewiston and Norway 4 53 21, Mrs. V. P. DeCoster, expenses at New Gloucester and Norway .. 6 52 21, J. A. Roberts, rent of Opera House at Norway 12 50 14 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Nov. 21, H. W. Collingwood, expenses and services at Norway $31 SO 21, J. A. Woodman, board of officers and speakers at Norway 30 39 Dec. 1, Charles S. Pope, clerk hire at Norway 8 00 1, Premiums awarded at Norway meeting 285 00 1, Z. A. Gilbert, expenses at Norway meeting 4 50 31, Charles S. Pope, expenses as Secretai-y, express, etc 30 13 31, Maine Farmer Publishing Co., printing premium lists, circulars 20 15 31, Smith & Reid, binding reports for 1900 36 13 81, F. H. Rollins, expenses at Norway 5 85 31, J. W. True, expenses as Executive Committee 2 65 31, D. H. Knowlton, expenses attending Norway meeting 2 85 31, Charles S. Pope, salary as Secretary 150 00 31, Charles S. Pope, salary as Treasurer 25 00 Cash in hands of Treasurer 398 04 Total 1,557 20 I hereby certify that I have examined the foregoing accounts of the Treasurer of the Maine State Pomological Society for the year 1900 and find them correctly vouched. I also find there is the sum of three hundred ninety-eight and 4-100 dol- lars (398.04) in the treasury. Z. A. GILBERT, Auditor. March 9, 1900. Permanent Fund Account, 1900. Dr. To stock First National Bank, Farmington $400 00 Merchants National Bank, Gardiner 100 00 Farmington Water Company 100 00 Augusta Safe Deposit and Trust Company 790 00 $1,390 00 Cr. By 139 life members $1,390 00 PREMIUMS AWARDED At the: Annuai, Exhibition hf:ld at Norway, Nov. 13 AND 14, 1900. AFFILES. For best general cxJiibition of apples: S. H. Dawes, Harri- son, first, $io"oo; C. A. Arnold, Arnold, second, $6.00; C. S. Pope, Manchester, third, $4.00. For best general exhibition of apples grozvii in Androscoggin county: A. C. Day, Turner, first, $6.00; D. P. True, Leeds Centre, second, $3.00. For same in Aroostook county: J. W. Dudley, Castle Hill, first, $6.00. For same in Cumberland county: S. H. Dawes, Harrison, first, $6.00; J. VV. True, New Gloucester, second, $3.00. For same in Franklin county: E. F. Purington, West Farm- ington, first, $6.00. For same in Kennebec cou.nty: C. S. Pope, Manchester, first, $6.00; W. P. Atherton, Hallowell, second, $3.00. For same in Oxford county: E. V. Walker, Oxford, first, $6.00; Lemuel Gurney, Hebron, second, $3.00. For same in Penobscot county: C. A. Arnold, Arnold, first, $6.00; L. P. Toothaker, Simpson's Corner, second, $3.00. For same in. Somerset county: F, E. Nowell, North Fair- field, first, $6.00. SINGIvE PIvATES. Baldzvins: J. W. True, New Gloucester, first, $3.00; O. N. Cox, North Norway, second, $2.00. Ben Davis: E. A. Lapham, Pittston, first, $3.00; S. D. Edwards, Oxford, second, v$2.oo. Gravenstein: C. S. Pope, Manchester, first, $3.00; S. H. Dawes, Harrison, second, $2.00. l6 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Northern Spy: S. h. Merchant, Winthrop, first, $3.00; E. V. Walker, Oxford, second, $2.00. R, I. Greening: Y. P. DeCoster, Buckfield, first, $3.00; B. Tucker, Norway, second, $2.00. Roxbury Russet: Lemuel Gurney, Hebron, first, $3.00; S. L. Merchant, Winthrop, second, $2.00. Tompkins King: S. H. Dawes, Harrison, first, $3.00; J. B. Bradlniry, Norway, second, $2.00. Yellozu BcIWozifer: V. P. DeCoster, Buckfield, first, $3.00; Z. McAllister, Lovell, second, $2.00. PaUaivater: J. B. Bradbury, Norway, first, $1.00; E. F. Purington, West Farmington, second, 50c. Grimes' Golden: E. V. Walker, Oxford, first, $1.00; S. D. Edwards, Oxford, second, 50c. Hnbbardston Nonsuch: Z. McAllister, Lovell, first, $1.00; E. E. Witt, Norway, second, 50c. Jezvett's Fine Red: V. P. DeCoster, Buckfield, first, $1.00; J. W. True, New Gloucester, second, 50c. Milding: D. P. True, Leeds Centre, first, $1.00. Mcintosh Red: ]. B. Bradbury, Norway, first, $1.00; L. C. Waterman, Buckfield, second, 50c. Mother: C. S. Pope, Manchester, first, $1.00; L. K. Litch- field, Winthrop, second, 50c. Munson Szvcet: E. F. Purington, first, $1.00; A. C. Day, second, 50c. Peck's Pleasant: D. P. True, first, $1.00; J. W. True, sec- ond, 50c. Pomine Rcy\al: Chas. S. Pope, second, 50c. Pound Szveet: J. W. True, first, $1.00; Mrs. B. T. Townsend, Freeport, second, 50c. Rolfc: F. E. Nowell, first, St.oo; J. B. Bradbury, sec- ond, 50c. Stark: D. P. True, first, $1.00; F. J. Sawyer, Otisfield Gore, second, 50c. Starkey: D. P. True, first, $1.00; E. F. Purington, sec- ond, 50c. Tzventy Ounce: V. P. DeCoster, first, $1.00; S. H. Dawes, second, 50c. Wagener: W. C. Whitman, South Turner, first, $1.00; J. W. True, second, soc. STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. ^7 Wealthy: J. B. Bradbury, first, $i.oo; A. C. Day, second, 50c. Spitzenhurgh: H, M. Tucker, South Paris, first, $1.00; B. Tucker, Norway, second, 50c. Talman Szvect: C. S. Pope, first, $1.00; F. D. Grover, Bean, second, 50c. Golden Russet: H. M. Tucker, first, $1.00. Pamense: V. P. DeCoster, gratuity, $1.00. Deane: E. F. Purington, gratuity^ $1.00. Alexander: J. W. Dudley, first, $t.oo. PEARS. General exhibition of pears: S. H. Dawes, first, $6.00; E. V. Walker, second, S4.00. Biierre d'Anjon: S. H. Dawes, first, $1.00; J. W. True, sec- ond, 50c. Biierre Bosc: S. H. Dawes, first, $t.oo; E. V. Walker, sec- ond, 50c. Buerre Clair geau: S. H. Dawes, first, $1.00. Diiehesse d'Angonlenie: S. H. Dawes, first, $1.00. Goodale: S. H. Dawes, first, $t.oo. Howell: S. PI. Dawes, first, $1.00; E. V. Walker, sec- ond, 50c. Louise Bonne de Jersey: S. H. Dawes, first, $1.00; E. \. Walker, second, 50c. Lanrenee: Lemuel Gurney, first, $1.00; Benj. Tucker, sec- ond, 50c. Sheldon.: J. W. True, first, $1.00; S. H. Dawes, second, 50c. Idaho, Garber, Duchesse de Bordeau: S. H. Dawes, gratuity, $1.00. Vicar of VVinkiield, Keiffer, Frederick Clapp: E. V. Walker, gratuity, $1.00. Collection Quinces: S. H. Dawes, first, $1.00; D. P. True, second, 50c. Collection Grapes: S. H. Dawes, gratuity, $2.00. Plate Niagara Grapes: L. K. Litchfield, gratuity, $1.00. Plate Concord Grapes: W. C. Symonds, Norway, gratuity, Si. 00. 1 8 state: pomological socie:ty. CANNED AND PRESKRVl^D I^RUITS, KTC. Bxhihition Canned Fruits, etc.: Mrs. L. K. Litchfield, first,. $6.00; Mrs. O. B. Upton, Norway, second, $4.00; Mrs. J. A. Chadboiirne, North Bridgton, third, $2.00. Canned Blackberries: Mrs. L. K. Litchfield, first, $1.00; Mrs. R. H. Libbey, Newport, second, 50c. Canned Blueberries: Mrs. F. H. Rollins, Chesterville, first, Si. 00; F. P. Towne, Norway Lake, second, 50c. Canned Cherries: Mrs. F. D. Grover, Bean, first, $1.00; Mrs. L. K. Litchfield, second, 50c. Canned Gooseberries: Mrs. L. K. Litchfield, first, Si.oo; Mrs. R. H. Libbey, second, 50c. Canned Pears: Mrs. A. T. Crooker, Norway, first, $1.00; Mrs. F. D. Grover, second, 50c. Canned Plums: ]\Irs. B. T. Townsend, Freeport. first, $1.00; Mrs. L. K. Litchfield, second, 50c. Canned Raspberries: Mrs. F. G. Noble, Norway, first, $1.00; .Mrs. R H. Libbey. second, 50c. Canned Strazvberries: ]\Irs A. T. Crooker, first, $1.00. Canned Tomatoes: 'Mrs. L. K. Litchfield, first, $t.oo; Mrs. A. T. Crooker, second, 50c. Preserved Apples: ^Irs. L. K. Litchfield, first, $1.00. Preserved Currants: Mrs. R. H. Libbey, first, $1.00; ]\Irs. L. K. Litchfield, second. 50c. Preserved Cherries: Airs. F D. Grover, first, $1.00; Mrs. L. K. Litchfield, second. 50c. Preserved Pears: 'Mrs. \. P. DeCoster, Buckfield, first, $1.00; Mrs. L. K. Litchfield, second, 50c. Presd'ved Plums: IMrs. L. K. Litchfield, first, $1.00; ]\Irs. F. D. Grover, second, 50c Preserved Raspberries: Mrs. L. K. Litchfield, first. $1.00; Mrs. F. D Grover, second, 50c, Preserved Strazvberries: Mrs. \\ P. DeCoster, first, $1.00; Mrs. J. A. Chadboiirne, second, 50c. Collection Apple Jellies: Mrs. L. K. Litchfield, first, $5.00; Mrs. F. G. Noble, second, $3.00; Mrs. E. F. Bryant, Buckfield, third, $2.00. Tumbler Apple Jelly: Airs. R. H. Libbey, first, $1.00; Mrs. L. K. Litchfield, second, soc state; pomological socikty. 19. Crab Apple Jelly: Mrs. L. K. Litchfield, first, 50c.; Mrs. J. A. Chadbournc, second, 25c. Currant Jelly: Mrs. E. F. Pnrington, Farmington, first, 50c. ; Mrs. L. K. Litchfield, second, 25c. Grcipe Jelly: Mjs. L. K. Litchfield, first, 50c.; Mrs. J. A. Chadbourne, second, 25c. Cranberry Jelly: Mrs. L. K. Litchfield, first, 50c. Maple Syrup: G. H. Davis, South Paris, first, $1.00; Mrs. A. T. Crooker, second, 50c. Maple Sugar: Z. McAllister, Lovell, first, $1.00. Tomato Catsup: Mrs. R. H. Libbey, first, $1.00; F. P. Towne, second, 50c. Evaporated Apple: Chas. S. Pope, first, $2.00; Whittier & Rollins, Chesterville, second, $i.(X). Canned Apple: Whittier & Rollins, first, $1.00. Cranberries: A. C. Greenleaf, Farmington, gratuity, $1.00. Canned Corn, Canned Beans: Mrs. F. G. Noble, gratuity. Si. 00. Mustard Pickle: Mrs. V. P. DeCoster, gratuity, 50c. Pickled Pears: Mrs. V. P. DeCoster, gratuity, 50c. Piccalilli: Mrs. V. P. DeCoster, gratuity, 50c. Canned Dandelions: Mrs. R. H. Libbey, gratuity, 50c. Chow-chozv: Mrs. R. H. Libbey, gratuity, 50c. Mixed Pickle: Mrs. R. H. Libbey, gratuity, 50c. Ripe Cucumber: Mrs. R. H. Libbey, gratuity^ 50c. Dish Baked Apples: Chas. S. Pope, gratuity, 50c. Jar Cider Jelly: Mrs. Marion Noble, Norway, gratuity, 50c. plants and flowers. Bxhibition pot plants: A. D. Park, South Paris, first, $5.00. Ferns: A. D. Park, first, $1.00. Hibiscus: A. D. Park, second, 50c, Chrysanthemum: Mrs. Thos. Witt, Norway, first, $1.00; A, D. Park, second, 50c. Display of cut Hoivers: Mrs. Lucy A. Chandler, Freeport, first, $8.00. Roses: John Burr, Freeport, first, $5.00. Carnations: John Burr, first, $3.00. 2 20 STATK POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Chrysanthcinums: John Burr, first, $3.00; Miss G. P. San- born, Augusta, gratuity, $3.00. Pandanus: A. D. Park, gratuity, $1.00. Norfolk Spruce: A. D. Park, gratuity, $1.00. Sanseveria: A. D. Park, gratuity, 50c. Japonica: A. D. Park, gratuity, 50c. Ivy Geranium: Mrs. Harvey Wood, North Norway, gratu- ity, $1.00. REPORT OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. Meeting ob^ the Executive Committee at New Glouces- ter, January 18, 1900. Chas. S. Pope was chosen Secretary pro tern. W. M. Munson, President, J. W. True and R. H. Libbey were present. Voted, To appoint Chas. S. Pope as Secretary to fill the vacancy made by the death of Prof. Elijah Cook. Adjourned. Meeting oe the Executive Committee at Augusta, Aprii, 12, 1900. W. M. Munson, President, Chas. S. Pope, Secretary-Treasurer, J. W. True and R. H. Libbey were present. Minutes of annual meeting at Newport read and approved. On motion of Mr. True, voted, that we use as much of the interest money due the Society, as shall make good the amount of permanent fund lost by the scaling down of stock of Gar- diner National Bank. On motion of Mr. Libbey, voted, to hold a series of Pomo- logical vSchools this spring. On motion of Mr. True, 7'Oted, to hold a joint meeting with the Board of Agriculture at Camden in June. Voted, That any Grange wishing special instruction in spray- ing and orchard management can receive help by communicating with the Secretary. state: pomological society. 21 On motion of Mr. Libbey, voted, that we hold one school at Belfast and another at North Jay. The following orders were drawn on approved bills : Bertha O. True $5 oo J. W. True 7.16 W. M. Munson 16.30 Adjourned. Me:i:ting OF' the: Executive: Committe:e: at Lewiston, Sep- tember 6, 1900. All the members were present. Mr. V. P. DeCoster was appointed a member of the Executive Committee to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. L. F. Abbott. Voted, To refer the location of the annual meeting to the Secretary. On motion of Mr. DeCoster, voted, to hold the meeting about the middle of November. The premium list was revised. Adjourned. Business Meeting, Norway, November 14, 1900. The following letter from Prof. W. M. Munson, who was unable to attend the meeting on account of illness, was read by the Secretary: Members of the Maine Pomological Society: It was with the keenest regret that I announced to your Sec- retary my inability to be present at this, the annual meeting of the society. In lieu of a formal address I wish to congratulate the society on the substantial progress made during the past year, and would state that never before has the society been in better con- dition for advancing the interests of horticulture in our State. Owing to the death of Secretary Cook, and the illness of other officers, the program as outlined at our last meeting has not been strictly carried out. Some pomological schools have been held and others are planned for, and will be held during the month of December. 22 STATK POMOI.OCTCAL S0CIE:TY. In fostering the. educational work, the encouragement of the "practical" in fruit and flower growing has not been forgotten. The winter meeting at New Gloucester was a pronounced suc- cess and this exhibition was second only to that shown at the annual meeting at Newport. It had been my purpose at this time to outline a plan for encouraging the improvement of farm homes. We know that one of the most important factors in retaining the interest of young men and women in the farm is an attractive home environment, and it seems to me that one of the important objects of this society is to encourage such changes as will easily and effectively make the desired improvements. I would sug- gest that the matter be referred to the Executive Committee with power to act. I congratulate the society upon the enterprise shown by cer- tain of its members in providing fn,ut for the Exposition at Paris, and upon the prizes received. In this connection I would call attention to the Pan-American Exposition to be held in Buf- falo, N. Y., next year, and would urge that steps be taken at once to have Maine properly represented at this Exposition. In conclusion I wish to express my appreciation of the cordial co-operation on the part of my fellow officers and members of the society and bespeak for my successor the same support. Fraternally yours, W. M. MUNSON, President. After an extended discussion it was moved by Mr. Gilbert that the Secretary be instructed to secure contributions of fruit for the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo. Secretary's report read and approved. Treasurer's report read and accepted. The following committee of resolutions was appointed : D. H. Knowlton, J. W. True, C. A, Arnold. The following amendments to the constitution were presented : No one shall be eligible to office except life members ; also, no one shall be entitled to vote in the society unless he has been a state: pomolocical society. 23 member for one year. The amendments were considered sep- arately and after discussion, voted, that further consideration on both amendments be indefinitely postponed. Proceeded to the election of officers and made choice of the following : Z. A. Gilbert, North Greene, President. D. P. True, Leeds Centre, ist Vice President. C. A. Arnold, Arnold, 2d Vice President. D. H. Knowlton, Farmington, Secretary. Chas. S. Pope. Manchester, Treasurer. J. W. True, New Gloucester, R. H. Libbey, Newport, V. P. DeCoster, Buci^field, Executive Committee. Chas. S. Pope. Manchester, was elected member of the Experi- ment Station Council. Voted, To continue committee on binding reports. On motion of Mr. Knowlton, Voted, That the committee on binding transactions that have accumulated be requested to urge the State Librarian and those who may have the disposition of the State funds appropriated for binding purposes, to apply so much of said funds as may be necessary to bind these transactions. That this society also urges that these volumes when bound may be used by the State Librarian in exchange for the tran- sactions of horticultural societies in other states, that in this way th.ere may be formed a horticultural department in our State Library. On motion of Mr. Libbey it was voted, to choose an Auditor. Mr. G. M. Twitchell was chosen Auditor. The following report of the Committee on Resolutions was lead and accepted: In behalf of the State Pomological Society and the numerous visitors who have attended this meeting, ypur Committee on Resolutions beg leave to present the following report: Resolved, That in Prof. Elijah Cook we had an earnest friend of our fruit interests in Maine, that we recognize the great value of his services to the cause of horticulture in Maine, that we sincerely mourn his loss, and would hereby convey to his family and friends this expression of our appreciation of his services to the society, our grief at his death, and our sympathy in their sorrow. 24 state: pomological society. Resolved, That in Lyman F. Abbott this society has had a warm friend from the time of its organization, that it was in recent years his great delight to do his utmost to promote its interests through the columns of his paper, and that to this We owe very much of the high standing our society has attained. That we mourn his death, and recall his genial manners and cordial words, and it is with sorrow in our hearts that we convey to his family token of appreciation of his life and influence in our society'. Resolved, That we have missed at our meetings, our Presi- dent, W. M. Munson, that we appreciate his earnest work in the past, his counsel and his research, which have always been at our command, and we take this occasion to extend to him our regrets for his misfortune, and united wishes for his early and permanent recovery. Resolved, That we hereby extend our sincere thanks to the Grange and the citizens of Norway, for the cordial invitation and reception they have given us on this occasion. Resolved, That our thanks are hereby given to the railroads for reduced rates, to the hotels for special terms and numerous courtesies. Resolved, That our thanks are also extended to the local and State papers for the wide notice they have given this meeting, and excellent reports of its transactions they are giving to the public. All of which is respectfully submitted. D. H. KNOWLTON, JOHN W. TRUE, C. A. ARNOLD, Committee on Resolutions. statf; pomoi.ogtcai, socie:ty. 25 thf: annual meeting. Early in the season the society received an invitation to hold the annual exhibition and winter meeting at Norway. Not having held a meeting for some years in this section of the State, the Executive Committee decided to accept the invitation and accordingly notice was given and a program and premium list issued for a meeting, which we think proved to be one of the most profitabJe ever held by the society. At the appointed hour, November 13, the meeting was called to order by Vice President D. P. True, and in behalf of the citizens of Norway and vicinity, Hon. J. A. Roberts gave the following ADDRESS OF WELCOME. Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: We are exceedingly glad to have the Maine State Pomological Society meet with the people of Oxford county. Our people know something of your purposes and your work. They believe in them, and they are willing to help the cause along. I believe there is no part of the world where fruit of a higher order can be raised than right here with us. On this account the world is looking to us more and more for fruit. For a few years past caterpillars and other insect enemies of the apple, coupled with fungous diseases, have very much discouraged our apple raisers and this has resulted in neglected orchards. Many had almost come to the opinion that there would never be raised again in Maine such fine apples as had been grown in the past. This year's crop of fruit shows us how foolish were our opinions, how weak our faith in an overruling Providence, and how short- sighted we were to neglect our trees. While in the last few years nature has seemed to conspire against us and aid and abet our enemies, we see her stepping in this year, brushing aside all obstacles in our way and giving us an old-time crop of fruit. The lesson of these events is that we should never lose faith in our work, but should press forward, having faith that in time there will be sure to come a solution of our difficulties. 2f:) STATS POxMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Now the production of fruit is not all there is to be considered. There is a business side to this matter. The people this year who have sold their fruit, given it away., almost, as it were, tl\e prices being today almost twice what they were a month ago, are regretting their haste. And now while this Pomological vSociety has for its chief business, I presume, the encouragement of the growth of fruit and the solving of difficulties which stand in the way of fruit growers, I believe the time ought to come when that body or some other organization should create in the State of Maine a bureau of information and should be able to tell the farmers of this vState the actual condition of the fruit market in this country and in other countries. I believe this can be done without great expense, and if it can be done in no other way T believe it would be good policy for the State itself to establish such a bureau, and with the expendi- ture of a small sum of money I believe there could be brought to the farmers of this State many thousands of dollars annually. Last year the people of this section held on to their apples and lost because they did not have the information they ought to have had. This year the opposite is the case. They have sold early and lost on their crops. I am glad to see so many here this afternoon. This is one of the largest and most important fruit sections of this State. I am glad to see the interest that is being taken in this industry. I think it would be a wise policy for us to take better care of what we have first, and then extend our operations. Now I want to bid you all welcome here. We are glad to have you here. We expect to receive from this meeting a spirit of encouragement, something that will help us along over these difficulties, and that coming here will be remembered by all of us as productive of great good to us all. I am glad to see the people who have come in from neighboring towns. We will try and do all we can to make your stay comfortable, and trust you will gain from this meeting much of good and much of pleasure, and when tomorrow's sun declines to the western hills and this event has become a part of history, we will go away feeling glad that we came. STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 2/ RESPONSE. By Mr. Knowlton of Farmlngton. I have listened with great pleasure to the cordial welcome extended by your representative on this occasion. It is a pleasure to nie to respond to this welcome with a few words in behalf of the Pomological Society, and in behalf of the numerous visitors who have assembled here on this occasion. As I have thought over this matter there came to my mind the meeting which the Pomological Society held in the town of Norway in the month of February, 1890. I remember very well the program which we presented on that occasion. I remem- ber also the cordial invitation which was extended to us by the Grange, and the very pleasant meeting which we had. That year there were six counties represented in the fruit exhibition. The exhibit was not as large, it was not as beautiful as that which we find here today. At that meeting Dr. Hoskins and ex-President Stockbridge of the Massachusetts Agricultural Col- lege were present as representatives of the fruit interests outside of this State. I remember the instruction which we received from both. Then another matter which was presented on that occasion was something of special interest to me and at the time a special pleasure. I refer to the address of Mrs. Beedy on "Education in Flowers.'' I know that m.any of you will recall that address with a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction. Then there was another address which I have always prided myself upon, as I was the secretary of the society at that time and had great diffi- culty in obtaining a speaker who should represent that important subject, that was the lecture of Dr. C. D. Smith on "The Dietetics of Fruit." And I am glad to say that that was the best exposition of the subject given, up to that time. Then again there was present Prof. F. L. Harvey, who spoke on the subject of "Insects." His address was an excellent one and was well received. It seem.s to me that there is no one whose death the fruit interest of the State deplores more ihan that of Prof. Harvey. He was a most diligent student and he gave us much information on the subject of insects. There v/as also represented at that meeting by Mr. True, a plan for a 2S state: pomologtcal society. fruit growers' organization, the object being to bring the fruit growers of the vState together along just such lines as our brother has mentioned here today that we may be instructed in growing and selling fruit, so that the man who grows the fruit may receive the best possible returns from it. This subject was brought before the fruit growers of the society at a later meeting of the society held in Bangor. I had the pleasure of presenting to the society and to the people of the State a paper which attracted considerable attention at the time, for I think it was published in full in several of the leading papers, recommending organization for the purpose of growing fruit, just as capitalists in other states put their money into organizations for this pur- pose. I urged it then, 1 still urge it, believing there is no point in fruit growing to-day that offers more in return for the labor and capital expended than here in the good old State of Maine. Then again at our Winthrop meeting which was held in 1896, when the State of Maine was well-nigh deluged with fruit and hardly knew what to do with it or how to get anything from it, an organization was recommended looking toward cold storage on some co-operative plan that the small growers might economi- cally store their fruit until it could be marketed at a profit. It was a good idea and I believe in it still. There are numerous organizations in California and the South that are bringing to our doors all through the year, grapes, oranges and other fruit and placing them before us in an attractive form and even at a lower price than we can buy good apples even in the apple- growing State of Maine. On cur fruit stands there are oranges m abundance and they are sold right side by side, when there happens to be apples there, and for less money. If they can get anything out of it over the cost of the labor and capital, it seems there is a chance even for the fruit growers of the State of Maine. This idea of organization, — I like it. There is something about it that needs to be talked up and worked up until people get used to it. It is particularly manifest this year. Not many wieeks ago an apple buyers association assembled not far away and the}^ had a consultation. They planned a good many things and among these things it seems to me there was one that met with the favor of the association that was directly inimical to the fruit growers of the State of Maine. Soon after their associa- STATE POMOI.OGICAL SOCIETY. 29 tion met there came from Europe and America reports that told ns there was an immense crop of apples, and every buyer that came in would pull from his pocket statements prepared on pur- pose for your reading and you could read the; same for your- selves. The result was a panic among Maine fruit growers and thousands of barrels of fruit have been sold for 75 cents and $1.00 per barrel and in some cases even less. To-dav we are here in a two-fold capacity. In the first place we come here to learn of you by the exhibition of these fruits and flowers and social intercourse with, your growers. We expect to learn and enjoy much and I am very sure that we shall not be disappointed. Second : We come here for the purpose of helping you and other fruit growers of the State of Maine. We offer ypu an excellent program covering a wide range in fruit and flower interests. We are here to help you and I am sure that every speaker on the program will enjoy being ques- tioned as to what he may say, and I beg you to be: free with your questions. If there is anything in w'hich we can serve the fruit interests of Oxford county it Vv^ill be our delight to do it. I thank you for your cordial words of welcome and for the interest taken in our society. We know we shall enjoy being here and we hope that our visit may be fruitful in doing you much good and in helping you to enjoy the fruits of the abundant harvest which this season has brought forth. 30 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. STRAWBERRIES FOR PROFIT. II. W. CoLEiNGWooD, New York. I am going to tell you how they raise strawberries in New Jersey. In the first place we want a strawberry in New Jersey that is a great, big, firm berry. In our markets you will find the market fairly fiooded with little berries, fairly well colored but too small. When the crop is rushing in from all parts of the country you will find that these little berries can hardly be given away, but when we send our great big, firm, solid berries they are sold before they get there. If a strawberry grower is going to spend his time, if he is going to buy fertilizer, if he is going to put labor on his land, the first principle of crop raising would be to raise these great, big, firm berries. You can do it. We do. Our best berries are produced on heavy land. We think we can raise the largest, finest and firmest berries on our heaviest soil. I don't mean dowr in the swamp ; the soil I mean would be a clay loam, containing a fair proportion of clay. The ground is dark in color, that gives us our best strawberries. I don't believe in growing the strawberry plant on the same kind of soil on which we try to grow the strawberry fruit. I mean this, if I could have my choice I v/ould have my strawberry plant grown on the poorest soil on the farm, for there we get a larger and wider root growth. I would set these plants in heavy soil. To illustrate : If I wanted a boy or young man to come to the city of New York or some other large city to take hold of a great business and get the most out of it in a few years, I would go into the country among the hills and get a boy brought up among hard conditions. I should expect that when put into the city the health and strength from his country training would enable him to do extra work. I have spent some time in digging up strawberry plants to examine their roots. I think it would do us more good if we would not be satisfied with studying that part of the plant that stands up from the ground. You will have to admit that the most important part of the plant is underneath the ground, for that is where it eats. Most people start out with the idea that the roots of the strawberry plant run out all over the ground. STATIC POMOLOOICAL SOCIETY. 3 1 I had an idea that the strawberry, roots were almost as long as the roots of the raspberry, blackberry, corn, or potato. I have never yet been able to find the root of a strawberry plant that ran out three inches beyond the leaf surface. The roots go down into the ground but do not go out very far. Perhaps you never thought of that before. You may put the roots of the strawberry, as I might say, in a peck measure. Think of what the strawberry has to do. Take a Gregg raspberry plant, I have traced the roots of the raspberry plant six or eight feet in differ- ent directions. Here is a big strawberry plant growing inside of a peck measure and here a great raspberry plant growing in a space almost equal to the size of an ordinary room, yet they produce each about the same weight of fruit. All plants are not alike in feeding habits. I do not feed my cow the same as I do my horse. I do not feed dishwater to the cow, but I give it to the pig. I do not feed much corn fodder to the pig but give that to the cow. So we divide things up. The strawberry plant is a heavy feeder and we can feed it to the best advantage by understanding the needs and habits of that plant. Put it in another way. Here is a calf, and here is a baby, perhaps three or four months old, both feeding from the same cow. Now the calf will chase the cow all over the field, but in order to feed the baby you must milk the cow and put the milk into its mouth. It is the same in feeding plants. I would not broadcast manure or fertilizer for strawberries as we grow them. I believe like tlie baby the strawberry must have its food brought right up close to its mouth. You put fertilizer or manure anywhere in a ten-acre field and your corn, grape or potatoes will find it. It is not so with the strawberry plant. The food must be brought up close to it. Now what shall we feed the strawberry on? I said first I preferred to have my plants started on a sandy soil. I want the largest root system I can get. We get this in an open, porous soil. Therefore I want my plants grown on light, sandy land. I want to grow my fruit on the heaviest land I can find on the farm. How do we feed the plant ? In the first place we do not want to buy stable dressing for our strawberries. We prefer commercial fertilizer. I never knew a weed to be found in a commercial fertilizer. We have tried various mixtures and have settled down to this combination as the best : 400 pounds of 12 STATE FOMOLOGICAL SOCIKTY. nitrate of soda ; 400 pounds of muriate of potash ; 400 pounds of fine ground bone ; 800 pounds of acid phosphate. Most people will say that it is an expensive fertilizer to make. Our experience had been that a good grade of fertilizer put on the ground is never lost. A little of the nitrogen may be washed down and wasted but the minerals are always there ready for business. During the days of slavery there was an old darkey who could not help stealing chickens, it was a part of his nature. He stole the chickens his master had fattened for his own use. His mas- ter came to him and said, "the next time you steal a chicken I shall bring you up before all the slaves of the plantation and have you thrashed." The fellow went as long as he could go but one night when coming home from church he went in and stole a chicken, and his wife cooked it and he ate it. He was brought up before the big house and stripped. There stood the overseer with the master v/ho felt badly to think he was going to be whipped. ''Can't we save you in some way ? What did you do this thing for?" The darkey, said, "You just look at this, Master, you owns this nigger and you owns this chicken. When I ate that chicken you didn't lose anything, you may have less chicken but you got more nigger." So when a man grows strawberries for gain ?.nd does not want to put on so much fer- tilizer, he must remember that while he may not have so much fertilizer he has more strawberries. It is not possible for potash and phosphoric acid to be lost out of the soil of a good straw- berry bed. On a small farm v/here every acre must count, strawberries may be started as follows : Plant potatoes in hills the first year. Potatoes in hills may be cultivated both ways and kept free from weeds even if hand pulling is needed. We can dig early pota- toes in the latter part of July or early in August, after they are dug work up the ground with a plow or cutaway harrow and sow the southern cow pea in drills. When this is done and the cow peas are carefully cultivated we obtain a good crop of humus or vegetable matter and, if need be, at the last cultivation we can sow rye or crim.son clover and thus secure a good full crop. When we sow rye or clover directly after potatoes we are troubled with the white grub and when we get a crop of white grubs into the ground we cannot raise these big fine strawberries. STATK POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 33 The southern cow pea is the least hkely to attract the white grub. Is it because the white grub does not like the cow pea? No, it is not. I thought we had got hold of something that the white grub would not touch, but 1 found that it was the late cultivation tiiat destroyed the insect. Constant surface cultivation late in the season is the only thing I know of to cut down the white grub. In this wav we secure a heavy growth of cow pea vines. The next spring we plow them in. We either set our strawberry plants in the spring or keep the earth constantly stirred up until we get ready to set in June or set our runner plants in the latter part of July or about the middle of August. In the first case you can take your plants and put them in in little trenches put- ting the roots down — keeping them well watered until ready to set. For setting strong runners we use what is called a Richards' transplanter. This is shaped like an ordinary tin can with the bottom and the top cut off (they are made of sheet iron), fasten a bail to it, and you have the transplanter. We go along and pick out the plant that we want ; the strong ones. Then we take the transplanter and drive it right down, around that plant and press it down with the foot, then take hold of the bail and pull it up. You have a young, vigorous plant growing in the center of a large ball of dirt. We dig them in that way. A man goes along and digs out the most vigorous plants, puts them right on a wheelbarrow, hauls them right into the field and with another transplanter digs a hole just big enough for the plant with its bale to slip down into and there it is. It has not lost even a single instant of growth and will not even wilt. I have transplanted in Northern New Jersey every month in the year. You can't do that up here. I spoke of having this land rich. We work it up and get it into beautiful shape. We take this fertilizer I speak of and apply all we dare, or say about twelve hundred pounds to the acre, putting it right in across the field in a narrow space where the plants are to go. We don't pretend to broadcast it all over the field. We would rather put it right where these roots are going.. Then we take a cultivator and run it up and down several times and work that thor- oughly into the ground. Then put a light roller on and pack it into the ground. Then we are ready to set out. 34 state: POMOLOGICAI, SOCIETY. And how these plants grow. We set them in drills about three feet apart and about eighteen inches apart in the drills, and then we begin to cultivate them. And we cultivate them if we have to neglect every other crop on the place. Why? Because the strawberry is a plant that must have this petting and constant care. It has got to be petted; it has to have every want supplied. If we set them out we must take care of them and push them along. Along about the first of September T would give them another dose of six or seven hun- dred pounds of the same fertilizer. You may think I am extrav- agant in using one ton to an acre of strawberries but as I have said, "you may have less chicken but you will have more darkey." You cannot raise these great strawberries unless 3^ou feed the strawberry plant. You must put the food right exactly where that plant needs its food. Mr. J. H. Hale of Connecticut says this : "Put on all you dare to, then tell the hired man to shut his eyes and put on more, and then tell your neighbor who wants to see you ruined to put on more." Why don't I wait till spring and put my fertilizer on then ? I will tell you why. I believe that the fruit buds of the strawberry plant are already made and started before the plant goes into winter quarters. Right now the fruit is already, provided for. You can make the strawberry a little larger by applying nitrate of soda in the spring, but the fruit buds were made during the months of August, September and October. It is then that the fruit buds arc developed, I believe the time to fertilize the straw- berry is then, when the buds are being produced. Scientists tell us that with some fruits the bud is made and matured a whole year before it is developed, and you can change your fruit but a little, possibly in shape, possibly in color, by spring fertilizing. The time to put your fertilizer on is during the summer and fall. I would no(- use anything but possibly nitrate of soda in the spring. Never use potash or phosphoric acid at that time. Two or three hundred pounds of nitrate of soda used in the spring will give you more foliage and a little larger berry, but if you use too much it will ruin your fruit by making it soft and mushy. The time to fertilize the strawberry is when the plants are set out. If they look drooping and you are not exactly proud of them, put on a little more about the first week in September and STATIC POMOLOGTCAL SOCIETY. 35 let it go. If you are going- to have good big strawberries you have got to go right down in your pocketbook and lose six, eight or nine months interest on your money. If you raise these great strawberries they will be sold before they are picked. By the use of the Richards' transplanter system it is not necessary to set early in the spring but it may be done after early potatoes and early, sweet corn. I have dug up plants with the transplanter and set them out between rows of early sweet corn, then when the sweet corn is picked the plants are well started. Some of you have perhaps tried potted plants but I doubt if you have had much success with them. To plant as I have described is much better. You can get larger plants and better plants. We do not care to have our plants in the rows develop more than two run- ners each. Some people think that they ought to have twenty, but we would rather develop two or three very large ones. You will be surprised to see how quick the runners will take hold and grow. The result is that by' September we have a row of individual plants right straight across the field. It is not a matted row but a row of single big plants side by side. We never want these rows very wide, for you should be able to run your cultivator close up to the plant. Pay no attention if your hired man comes to tell you that he don't think you had better cultivate them any longer because you will hurt the roots, you can't do it, the roots don't get out where they will be hurt. We plant a grape vine here and a raspberry there and a black- berry over there and four or five feet away on the other side of a stone wall you bury a dog or a dead cat or a bone or any other fertilizer and what will follow? You give it time and you will find that the roots almost instinctively have turned to the wall and gone right over to the dog or cat or bone. I have seen the roots of a grape vme simply eat creases in a bone ! The roots of the plant have run in the soil to where the bone or cat are buried. That is not the way with the strawberry plant. It was never intended to be a long, wide reaching plant. It was designed ta grow within a peck measure or a bushel basket. These things I believe must be fully understood in order to produce fine fla- vored firm strawberries. Many strawberry growers secure good plants, and take good care of them but yet they do not raise these fine big berries. In 3 ^6 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. most cases this is the reason, they don't use enough potash. Most of our fertiHzers are weak in potash which seems to give firmness and color to the fruit. We mulch our plants about the middle of December. There is nothing I have been able to find that is better than the southern cow pea vines for a cover. It protects the plant and does not smother it down. When spring comes you rake the mulch off. and cultivate, cultivate, just as you do for corn or potatoes, and keep cultivating as that agrees with strawberries and it pays us to do it. Simply keep your cultivator running up and down and keep tiie upper part of the soil all loosened up. To sum up. In the first place get your plants right. If pos- sible get them grown on light soil, then transplant to the heaviest soil you can get. Use something to get that soil all filled through and through with vegetable matter. Remember that the straw- berry crop is a money crop. It is a big crop. Put them in in continuous hills. Put them so that you can use the cultivator and then cultivate and cultivate and then cultivate again. Keep tiiem eternally stirred up. Use all the fertilizer you can possibly afford. Dor't go and show the fertilizer bill to your wife until you have got it into the ground and then don't forget to turn right around when you sell the crop and get your wife every- thing she has wanted for she desei-ves it more than you deserve a new reaper or a new mower or any other tool. Put your fer- tilizer on and cultivate, cultivate, cultivate. Put your fertilizer on in the fall and earlv summer. DISCUSSION. Ques. To get the best results you would make plant produc- tion a business distinct from fruit production? Ans. Yes, I believe that is right. Kruit production and plant production are two entirely difl'erent things. One is the produc- tion of leaves and the other is the production of fruit. I think the two business are entirely distinct. Ques. Could wood ashes be used in place of muriate of potash ? Ans. The ordinary muriate contains fifty per cent of potash. Wood ashes five per cent and also about 700 pounds of lime to the ton. The objection is in regard to the lime. Any quantity STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 37 of strawberry plants have been spoiled by the excessive use of wood ashes. Tf the ground is sour you can't do better than use wood ashes. If you know that land is acid and sour use wood ashes, if it is alkaline never put wood ashes on. Ques. How many berries do you get from an acre or an acre and a half? Ans. I regret to say T have never made a correct estimate of an acre. In the first place we have a big family and during strawberry time we almost live on strawberries and make sales of four, five or six thousand quarts to an acre. I have heard people say they have raised eight, nine or ten thousand quarts to the acre, four thousand quarts would be about the average. I have produced a quart, or one and a half pounds from a single plant. Ques. Explain about the transplanter. Will the soil always ciing ? Ans. It will not always do so. Usually it will. We gener- ally transplant immediately after a rain. I have gone along with a watering pot and watered the soil around the plant. It would not do on a large scale. If a farmer has got a back yard and wants to do something to make a little money he can water those plants and dig them up and transplant them, but it would not pay on a large scale. Perhaps it would not pay to buy this trans- planter. The top as well as the bottom of this transplanter is open and you put it right down over the plant, force it right down clear to the ground. Then you have a little plant standing up in the middle of this can. Take the bail in your hand and if the ground is moist enough the plant will stand right in the centre of a little bail of dirt. I use the transplanter made by F. Richards, Keeport, R. I. It does not cost much for the whole outfit of a dozen. One hundred would be all even a large grower would need on a large scale. He would put them down over a plant and stam.p on them then a man would follow behind vvith a wheelbarrow and pull it up and put it on the wheelbarrow and push it out. It is better than potted plants. With the little instrument I speak of there is no danger of their ever getting pot bound. 38 state: roMoi^oGicAi, socie:ty. QUALITY AS A FACTOR IN COMMERCIAL FRUIT GROWING. By Z. A. Gilbert, Agricultural Editor of the Maine Farmer. The people like fruit. This desire of the appetite is universal. There has been a great increase in the consumption of fruit of the different varieties in the last few years. Take the strawberry as an illustration. Where but a few years ago this delicious fruit was available for only a few days in early midsummer, now from May to the close of its season in July the demand is only limited by the supply and the facilities for distributing the fruit among the people who desire it. The banana trade is further illustration in this same direction. Steamers are now engaged in the exclusive employment of the transportation of this tropical iruit from Central American ports to New York and Boston, and car loads are now called for in our nearby cities, where but a few years ago a few crates by express filled the full demands of the trade. This great increase in the fruit demand among the people is due to the fact that people love fruit. It only has to be placed within their reach in order to be taken and consumed in these rapidly increasing quantities. And the end is not yet. No one is so short-sighted as to suppose that the limit of demand for fruit has yet been reached. As the taste for fruit is gratified the desire is intensified and gradually reaches a point where it becomes constant. Hence, when one kind of fruit no longer appears another is called for, and the round of the year is covered. quality. The desire with every one is for good fruit. The better, of its kind, it is, the more it is desired and the greater the quantitv called for. This takes me directly to the subject assigned me at this time. Quality in its application to fruit is a sort of compound term. That is, there are several different properties characterizing fruit that in common parlance are combined in its quality. Even the Ben Davis apple has one desirable property that is included in the characteristic quality of the fruit— it is a good keeper. So, STATE POMOLOGICAI, SOCIETY. 39 too, it is handsome, or good looking. While it is a good keeper and good looking, yet when you come to flavor it is the opposite of "good," — it is inferior. Yet these properties combined make up the quality of the apple. I use the term quality in a sense restricted to that which makes it good, delicious, acceptable to the taste, or on the other extreme, poor or midesirable. In the sense I use the term here an apple of high quality is a good one — delicious, inviting to the taste, acceptable to the senses. It is the property that enabled me years ago to sell to a fruit stand thirty bushels of apples in one season from a single tree for forty-five dollars. Tarrying in a fruit store a few minutes, the other day, to gossip over election pros- pects, the proprietor took up an apple, and biting out a piece, "I declare," said he, ''that is a good apple; won't you have some apples, gentlemen?" as he passed around the box. It was the quality of that fruit that reduced the quantity in the box by a considerable number. WHERE ARE WE AT? The English market is the outlet for the surplus fruit of this statC; and in fact of all the country east of the Mississippi. As a result, fruit specialists, fruit growers and fruit planters are largely confining their interest to a consideration of the demands of the foreign market. In the fruit journals and at fruit con- ventions we hear or read little but discussion of the foreign market and how to reach it with greatest success. For the last ten years and more scarce a member of our society, or any other planter of orchards in the State, as he held the tree in position and covered its roots in the willing soil, has thought of any other disposition of the fruits of the labor he was performing than the European market. Throughout the breadth of the apple produc- ing belt of our country, clear across and beyond the Mississippi river, extensive orchards are being planted with the view to growing fruit for shipment abroad. The standard of quality now being sought among us in a ship- ping apple, is a red color, and the ability to stand the shipping voyage. No other property seems to be considered desirable in a shipping apple. The Ben Davis stands the shipping voyage across the water as well or better than any other variety grown on an extensive scale am.ong us. It also carries the other 40 state: POMOT.OGICAL SOCIETY. important requisite of red color. Hence the plantings of late years here in our State have been largely, where not chiefly, of Ben Davis trees. Furthermore, forty to fifty years ago the great states of the interior of our country, in their earlier filling up with population, had not a single variety of apples that would withstand their winters. Within my remembrance, a single winter of unusual severity destroyed substantially all of the fruit trees throughout the prairie states. The demand was at once aroused for hardier varieties. Our government sent to Russia for hardy varieties which were successfully grown in that high northern latitude. Professor Budd, an enthusiastic horticulturist of Iowa, went abroad to the same country to study up the fruit growing of that hyperborean climate, and brought with him on his return scions of the many Russian varieties of which we have heard and read so much in these later years. Enthusiastic experimenters set about the work of originating new varieties that might prove hardy enough to stand the winters of the northwest. Great expectations wiere raised among fruit specialists all over the country. I recall the remark of that cool and candid observer and experimenter, the late S. L. Goodale, to the effect that he looked for vast strides of improvement in the fruit producing industry from the efforts going on to originate and search out hardier varieties of fruit. As a result of this "iron-clad" craze that thus swept the coun- try many new varieties have been propagated, recommended and sold all over the country that have little other merit than hardi- ness. The power to withstand a severe climate is a great merit, but does not give us a good apple. This search for hardy varie- ties was a necessity to the west. We did not need them, for we already had varieties that would stand our conditions and give us an abundance of fruit. But the demand for hardier varieties to meet the want of the fruitless west settled down into this "iron-ciad" craze, and spread throughout the country. Little else was needed to sell trees than to label them ''iron-clad." This has given us a class of apples, that while the}^ can be produced in quantity, are inferior in quality. Such are the Ben Davis, and the Pewaukee, Haas, Fallawater, Mann, Gano, and a host of others that might be named. Not one among them all is a STATK POMOI.OGICAI,. SOCIEJTY. 4I variety of high quahty as I use the term in this paper, and as it is understood among fruit judges. This demand for apples that will stand up in shipping, and this scramble for hardy varieties passed along to us from the neces- sities of the interior states have had the effect to rivet attention on these new kinds having no other characteristics of merit than those for which their originators were searching. The late planting of trees, even here as well as in those sections of the country where they can do no better, has been chiefly of these sorts so manifestly inferior in quality. To such extent have planters and propagators been absorbed in this one idea that they have hardly thought of the quality of the fruit they were prepar- ing to grow. And not only this, but they have allowed varieties of high merit to fall out of attention for no other reason than that they wTre old. KICH QUALITY WANTED. This effort to produce shipping fruit, together with the uncalled for chase after hardy varieties, is having the effect to liil the country up with inferior apples. We claim this is all wrong, and also that it is damaging to the fruit industry. Fruit growers are losing sight of the home market. While an outlet is needed for such of surplus fruit as there may be, yet the home market is far the more important, and never should be lost sight of. The tendency, so general in late years, to plant only these varieties inferior in quality has the effect to destroy demand rather than increase it. A purchaser desiring some apples for home use buys a barrel of the showy Ben Davis. The cook finds them inferior for her department, the family cannot eat them — that one barrel trails along all W' inter. The result is not only that few such apples are purchased, but what is worse, the desire for apples and the appreciation of them in the family is destroyed. While our population is increasing, and while the ability to gratify all des^'res of the appetite is on the increase among the non-producing people, the present course in apple growing serves to destroy the demand, thus created. Place a barrel of fragrant Gravensteins or delicious Bellflowers in place of those Ben Davis and several barrels will be called for, and an appreciation of fruit so cultivated that the demand will be constant so long as a supply is within reach. It is a law^ of demand that the higher the qual- 42 STATE POMOLOGICAL S0CIE:TY. ity the more will be the consumption and the greater of course the demand. This demand for high quality and its effect on the consump- tion of fruit when gratified is a matter that has been too much neglected by fruit growers and too much overlooked bv conven- tions. The Gravenstein comes as near an ideal apple in quality probably as any kind we are growing. In this year of bounty it has been selling in Boston market for $2.50 and upwards a barrel, and at no time enough of them on the market. No year is there enough of them to be had to meet the demands of the consumers. Every year schooner cargoes of them are shipped from Nova Scotia to our Portland and Boston markets. It is quality that makes the demand for this variety. What was it years ago that built up the demand in Portland market for the old Garden Royal? a variety so long neglected as to be almost forgotten even by our gray-haired veterans and which among the later growers in their scramble after fruit for the shipping trade is entirely unknown. It was this same high quality. The Nodhead is another illustration in the same line. No one ever heard of any surplus of these deliciously rich and melting apples which had to be shipped abroad to get clear of them. Their quality makes a market here for all that are grown, and always at a price above the common grades of fruit. Yet, since the later planters have been running after shipping varieties sell- ing for less money, little is heard of propagating this always sala- ble variety. The case, I presume, was never known of a purchaser wishing to exchange his barrel of that excellent old Yellow Bellflower for any one of the later varieties so largely planted. Its quality always satisfies the consumer, whether for eating or cooking. The Rhode Island Greening is a variety always wanted for home consumption. Its rich quality gives it a welcome in every family. The late David Briggs of Turner, whom we all remember as a warm friend of the v/ork this society is laboring to foster, grew n variety of russet apples, small in size, not attractive in appear- ance, but which ripened up in mid-winter into an exceedingly rich and delicious fruit, and he stated to me, when I was study- ing up the russet apples a few years ago, that however plenty state; POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 43 apples might be he never found any trouble in disposing of that kind. All that was necessary was to offer them anywhere known. The little insignificant looking Pomme Grise is a russet apple that has been widely disseminated, though not extensively planted, yet has no other merit than its extremely high quality. This home market needs to be cultivated. It is to-day the best hold on the business of fruit growing. Fruits suited to the demands of this consumption among our own people — juicy, crisp, melting, rich, luscious and fragrant, always command a price much above the ordinary barreling fruit grown for the foreign market, and which nobody here wants for any purpose so long as that of high quality is within reach. Unless this chase after hardy kinds, and varieties whose only merit is to stand up well on the shipping voyage, is stayed, we shall soon find ourselves in the condition where we have no apples suited to the wants of the critical home trade, and as a result, little home demand cplling for apples. As wealth increases among the people a demand for the very best of everything that can be produced keeps even pace with that growth. These higher levels in fruit supply are never filled and never will be. In the line of apple production the trend of effort is not m that direction. With the Annapolis valley, Ontario, New England, New York, and the whole belt of fruit producmg country clear to the Rocky Mountain slopes planting trees and growmg fruit for the foreign market, I here claim that the best outlook ahead is with him who intelligently caters to the home trade, basing his efforts on the business merits of quality. QUALITY A FACTOR IN FOREIGN TRADE. Throughout my entire experience with fruit and the fruit markets I have noted that finally the appreciation of any variety of fruit, and its resulting demand, settles down and finally rests on its quality. One would infer from the apples we are shipping abroad, and those kinds being planted for the foreign market, that the Europeans do not like good apples. I believe if growers and handlers of apples v/ould study that market more closely they would find the evidence that, there as well as at home, quality, when they can find it, is appreciated, and that dealers 44 statb; P0M01.0GICAI, society. there are ready tc pay a premium on it. In the last issue of the London ''Gardeners Magazine" reference is made to the recent rreat show of native grown fruits held in that city. There were 2,069 fiishes of apples in the show, made up of 299 different varieties. The leading variety in this grand show was Cox's Orange, shown by eighty-five different growers. ''This apple," that horticultural journal continues, "is pre-eminently the finest flavored winter apple grown in the United Kingdom and is becoming more and more popular. It realizes top prices in the market, and around the holiday season reaches to fancy figures." A few days ago I clipped the following report of the Liverpool market, issued by Otto G. Mayer & Co., New York : "We have just received a cablegram from J. C. Houghton & Co., Liverpool, which reports that the apples ex-Majestic have been sold to-day. They say that there is a general improvement in the condition of the apples, and that the demand has become active, and prices are advancing. They quote : Baldwins, $2.45 to $3.75 ; Kings, $^.60 to $5.55 ; Albemarle Pippins, $5.30 to $7." This Albemarle Pippin is none other than the Green Newtown Pippin, usually found on our tables at the annual exhibitions of this society, grown in its highest perfection on the foot hill slopes of the Alleghany Mountains down in Virginia and Pennsylvania, where it is known by the name quoted above. All of us who hnve been shipping apples abroad, or have watched the reports of sales in those markets, have had longing eyes on the extremely high figures quoted for Newtown Pippins. This Newtown Pippin is not of the popular color, is not specially attractive in looks, but in addition to being a good shipper, after it arrives at the market it is appreciated as the best apple in that market. It is its high quality alone that gives it the premium value in those markets. The King ahvays sells for a superior price in all shipments. Why does this apple sell better than the Twenty Ounce or Alex- ander? It is because of its superior quality. Thus it appears that the people abroad know a good apple when they find it, and are ready to pay a superior price for fruit of recognized quality. Yet we are feeding them on Haas, Gano, and Ben Davis ! As the business is now tending we shall soon have but little for them that is better. state: P0M0I.0G1CAI, SOCIETY. 45 Thus by a close study of the situation, abroad the same as at home, quaHty asserts its commercial importance in terms that growers should no longer overlook. It is everywhere the great controlling factor of value in the business of fruit growing. EVAPORATING FRUIT FROM A COMMERCIAL STANDPOINT. A very important question comes to the mind of every orchard- ist when he harvests his fruit, how and in w^hat form shall I market the product ? In years of plenty such as we experienced four years ago, and which earlier in the present season we thought would be repeated, the market becomes glutted with a large stock which rapidly deteriorates in quality and conse- quently in selling value. When this condition is reached there can be but one result, low prices and unsatisfactory returns to the producer. Another thing that might cause a depressed condition of the market is that one-third or one-half of all the apples are inferior in quality. When the consumer buys a barrel of good fruit, pleasing to the eye as well as the taste, it is soon gone and another barrel is wanted. On the other hand the second quality is not so pleas- ing, there is not so m.uch temptation to use it and as it begins to decay the family will care for no more apples. This leads us to consider if a better way cannot be found to market the second quality fruit at a profit. I believe that this principle should be impressed upon the mind of every fruit grower in Maine, never to place upon the city market any second quality product of the orchard. These second quality apples should be either evaporated or canned. Canning has one advantage over evaporating to the farmer who is not very extensively engaged in the production of fruit. It costs but a comparatively small sum of money to provide per- manent fixtures for canning. Exclusive of a suitable building, fifty dollars would furnish everything necessary for the work. In comparing the relative merits of the two methods we find that the evaporating process makes a great reduction in weight and a corresponding reduction in transportation charges. A z|6 STATE POMOLOGTCAL SOCIETY. barrel of apples after being put in cans weighs the same as it did before, but in the evaporating process it is reduced from one hundred and fifty to twenty pounds, a little more than one-eighth of its original weight. Or in other words when your team goes to the station loaded with two tons of evaporated apple it is haul- ing an equivalent of one hundred and ten barrels of apples in their natural state. Again, when a barrel of apples is put into cans the cost of the cans is equal to the value of the apples so that the consumers must pay twice as much for the same quantity of apples canned as they would if evaporated. The outlook for the home and foreign demand for evaporated apple in the imm.ediate future is very encouraging. The preliminary report of the director of the census bureau indicates that there has been an increase of 20% in the popula- tion of the U. S. in the last decade giving a total of more than 76,000,000 people. The increase in population is entirely in the cities and large towns, for it is evident that the population in the rural sections of our country has decreased rather than increased in the last decade. This makes it evident that the consuming population is increasing faster than the production of this class of goods. Another encouraging feature for the ready sale of evaporated apple is the great increase in the number of people who come to our State to pass the summer months. This is a wealthy class of people as a rule, who demand and are willing to pay for the very best products of the farms, and there is already a large and increasing demand for fancy evaporated apple from the hotel people who supply their wants. While the foreign demand for our fancy evaporated apple has not kept pace with some other lines of production in this coun- try, it is quietly and surely becoming an important item in the export trade ; and when we consider tha,t no special effort has been made to introduce or push the sale of these goods in foreign countries, the business that has been done is very satisfactory Bnd indicates that in the near future, when its good quality con- centrated in bulk and weight and adaptability for carrying long distances without regard to climatic conditions will make it a favorite article of commerce. What needs to be done now is for our Agricultural Depart- ment at Washington to bring our evaporated fruit to the atten- STATG POMOLOCICAL SOCIETY. 47 lion of the people in foreign countries, that its good qualities fliay be better known, and its own merit will do the rest. Another reason why either canning or evaporating the second quality apples should be encouraged is, that they may become a blessing rather than a curse to our own people. If they are not put to some better purpose in the economy of the farm, they are likely to be made into cider, which is the beginning of so much intemperance. It is now but a little more than twenty years since evaporated apple was first seen in our markets, and rather less than that tmie since it came into general use and was found as a regular article of merchandise in all the grocery and provision stores. Previous to that time the markets were supplied by "dried apple" which had been cut in quarters and placed on strings, then fes- tooned on the sunny side of the wood-shed to dry. The sunny side was usually the side facing the road also, and the apple was sure to catch the clouds of dust wafted thither by the strong September and October winds, and here swarms of flies basked happily in the sunshine. This apple was finally made into pies which furnished inspira- tion for poems like the one from which I quote the following lines and which some of you probably remember : "How I abhor, detest, despise. Abominate, dried apple pies." But some bright genius conceived the idea that all this might be changed, that apples could be preserved clean, bright, whole- some, and pleasing to the taste, thereby adding one more article to the culinary department of the household. The best quality of this evaporated product is a really tempt- ing and wholesome article of food and has several points of superiority over canned apple. It is far better in flavor and sub- stance for apple or mince pies, makes nice boiled cider sauce and properly prepared makes the nicest kind of fruit for cake. In the last few years a very large business has grown up in supplying not only this country but the whole world with our evaporated apple, peaches, pears and other fruit products and potatoes. Perhaps a short review of the different methods employed in evaporating fruit would be interesting at this time. 48 STATK rOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. The first evaporators were square structures reaching- from the first floor of the building to nearly the top of the second story with a wood or coal furnace in the basement, using hot air as it radiates from the very highly heated surface of the furnace to evaporate the moisture from the newly cut apple or other fruit and carry it to the top of the building where it was discharged laden with its burden. The newly cut apple was first placed over the furnace or in the lowest part of the evaporating flue, and as it became heated it was gradually raised and other trays of fruit put in its place until that first put in arrived at the top of the flue. This process was theoretically perfect, but in practice the cur- rents of hot air were not evenly distributed, with the result that while some of the apple was dried too much, other parts of the same trays would be dried little if any. Others tried the inclined flue, giving a chance for the air after becoming charged with moisture to pass off without going- through the trays of nearly dry fruit. This evaporator, it was claimed, could be managed with greater economy than the others ; but soon gave place to the steam evaporator where the trays of prepared fruit are placed between pipes heated by steam, giving the operator perfect con- trol over the amount of heat to be used, distributing the hot air evenly throughout the whole lot; with the result that the apple is dried evenly, thoroughly and v/ith perfect cleanliness, which is so characteristic of the best evaporated apple found in the markets to-day. We believe this process to be the best yet devised for the purpose. An ideal plant for evaporating apple where the capacity would be forty to fifty bushels per day would be a building about thirty by thirty-six feet, with either a basement or an adjoining room for the steam boiler, which should be enough lower than the floor in the main room so that when the boiler is set, the water which condenses very rapidly in the steam pipes may flow readily and rapidly back into the boiler. There should be one thou.sand feet of pipe placed in branch T's with perhaps five pipes in the lowest bank or tier and four in each one above, placing these tiers of pipes one above the other and about one foot apart as high as is desirable. The pipes should be cased up in front with doors ten inches wide and STATE POMOLOGICAI. SOCIETY. 49 about eight feet long, to give access to the space between the pipes for the apple. After the apple has been placed in the evaporator it does not need any attention until dry. The so-called bleaching of the apple is an important part of the process. In reality they are not bleached at all, for when once discolored by action of the atmosphere no amount of bleaching will make them white again. In the early days of evaporating apple, a small quantity of sulphur was placed on the hot surface of the furnace at intervals of about ten minutes, and the fumes would be carried by. the currents of hot air through the whole mass of apple above to the top of the Hue and thence to the open air. The apple was subjected to the sulphur fumes for four or five hours or until dry. When the ap; le becam.e partially dry and in the very long- time it was subjected to the sulphur fumes, there was liable to be a very fine deposit of the sulphur on the apple ; enough so that a person with a fine taste could detect it. But the more modern method is to have a separate bleacher where six trays of the cut fruit may be placed and subjected to sulphur fumes for two minutes, wdiich wall prevent any discoloration of the fruit while in the process of drying. It should be remembered that attractiveness of package is as necessary and important for apple as other things, and w^hile the fifty-pound boxes neatly faced with overlapping slices does very well, apple put in one-pound packages in square pasteboard cartons is still more attractive and pleasing to most buyers, and is the best way to put it on the market. The theory of evaporating the moisture from fruit (and prac- tical work proves the theory to be correct) is to place the newly cut fruit (after being subjected to the bleaching process for two or three minutes) into a current of very hot air which soon forms a very thin artificial skin or covering to the apple, thus hermetically sealing the broken fruit cells containing fruit sugar and that intangible something which we call flavor. The moisture in the apple is turned to vapor by the heat and forced out where it mingles with the air and escapes. The resulting product has all the good qualities of the original apples, for nothing has been added and nothing has been taken away except the moisture, and if the original fruit was good then the product will be good ; but if the apples were crabbed and bitter 50 STATK POMOI.OGICAL SOCIETY. or had any unpleasant flavor, then the product will be of the same character. This evaporated apple is as different from the dried apple that was formerly used, as the handsome, delicious apples like the ones which so richly adorn this hall are from the small, inferior natural fruit, the dried apple was made from. When the apple is evaporated and packed in the most attractive form, the marketing should receive the most careful attention, for on this depends to a great extent the success or failure of the enterprise. Generally the nearby markets are the best when we take into consideration the great expense involved in transportation for long distances, with the added expenses of commissions, storage, cartage and insurance which are so insep- arably connected. presb:rving and canning fruit. By Mrs. R. H. hiBiiJtY, Newport. When I was called upon to write a paper upon this subject, to be both practical and useful, I found it somewhat difficult to prepare a paper of the kind for this reason, there are so many dififerent methods in canning and preserving, and it is presumed that every good housewife thinks her's the better way, but not- withstanding this, there are certain rules to be observed to get satisfactory results. God, in his overflowing goodness, has bestowed upon us numerous blessings, not the least of which are the beautiful flowers and our delicious summer fruits. These are especially adapted to the season in which they come, and to our needs at that time. The law of adaptation is seen ever3^where. Note the fur of the seal and polar bear, with walrus fat for the needs of the Esquimaux, the citric fruits with their delicious acids for the people of the sunny South, and the beautiful, luscious summer fruits for us of the temperate regions, all good in their time and place. The great development of small fruit culture has taken place almost wholly during the recollection of many of us present, some of whom will remem- ber when the delicious cultivated strawberry in the old home garden was little known, while the same in the village market STATE POMOLOGICAI, S0CIE:TY. 5 1 was an nnheard-of thing-. Now the long trains go ratthng along the great railways bearing hundreds of tons of delicious fruit to the great city markets, not now as a mere matter of luxury, but a necessary table supply. The excellent effect of fresh, wholesome summer fruit is admitted by all, and is therefore an important factor in the health problem. Those who, by words of encouragement, speak of farming as a noble occupation and encourage the young men with whom they come in contact to engage in this branch of industry and especially the cultivation of fruits, do a noble deed. As we look around this spacious hall, beholding these beauti- ful flowers and delicious fruit, let us not forget that behind all is the lesson never to be forgotten, that here is our daily suste- nance, and while it comes to us in response to labor, no one can tell the method of its coming. Wonderful are the mysteries hidden in these flowers and fruit, to be unfolded only by diligent search and patient investigation. This is the work of our country life, the purpose of these meetings, the mission of the Pomological Society. Compass as we may the marvelous in all other departments, here we are awed by the great majesty of the thought embodied in the fruit and flowers. Into this field of investigation we are invited, to this line of duty we are to devote ourselves, for here are com- pensations, rich, enduring, satisfactory. No life in city or town offers like attractions ; no opportunity for such rich returns out of patient investigation. Whatever tends to quicken love for these, to excite admiration for natural things, to stimulate desire to know a little more of why and how in these studies, will surely develop love and desire for country life. I like to see in every young man a laudable ambition to have a home and family of his own, with comforts and luxuries of his own production,, and not the least of these is the choice and abundant supply of small fruits to grace his table all the year round, and here comes in the preserving and canning process which to me forms the most attractive and satisfactory part of housework. Since the glass jars, with air-tight covers, have been introduced, the old- fashioned preserves are seldom seen. Generally speaking, "pre- serving" means the cooking of fruits in an equal weight of sugar, long enough for the fruit to keep without being air-tight,. 4 52 STATE POMOIvOGICAL SOCIETY. while canning may be done with Httle or no sugar, and with just enough cooking to thoroughly heat the fruit, but the air must be excluded. The preparation of the fruit for these two forms IS similar, and the same general directions will apply txD each process. First to be considered is the condition of the fruit, which should be firm and sound, but not over-ripe. Among the best utensils to be used ore the granite, porcelain or agate. I prefer the porcelain, notwithstanding it is heavier to handle. You caji expedite the business if you are in a hurry, and most housekeepers are, by removing the lid from the stove, putting the kettle directly over the fire, thus hastening the process of heating, then removing it to the back of the stove you get a much steadier heat and the fruit is less likely to scorch or to boil over, hence does not require as much care during the process of pre- serving. The time is in the past when a few jars of preserves, carefully stowed away m the cellar, brought forth only when visitors came, or dealt out very sparingly to tempt the appetite of the invalid, are sufficient. Every up-to-date housekeeper of to-day must be skilled in the art of canning, preserving and jelly-making, and will see that she has a good supply of these dainties, not only for company, but for family use, and enough to last the year round. I begin my preparations for winter when the dandelions come in early spring, salting down about thirty bushels last spring, packing firmly a layer of dandelions, then a layer of salt. This may seem to be a large amount, but not so when the shrink- ing takes place. Next to the dandelions comes the rhubarb, which I put up in cold water, cutting in pieces as for pies without paring; there is a delicacy of flavor and color in the paring of rhubarb. Pack closely in jars, place in a pail, put in water until jars and pail are full. Seal with the jars under water. The next in order is the strawberry, which is said to be the queen of all berries. While this may be true in its natural state, there are other berries which retain their flavors much better when preserved or canned. I make it a point to prolong the strawberry sea.son several weeks by crushing the berries, adding sugar and seaHng them in jars. While we do not have the form of the berry, we can have crushed strawberry, retaining its delicious flavor and ever ready for the much appreciated shortcake. STATIC POMOLGGICAL SOCIETY. 53 - The gooseberry with us ranks high with other berries and occupies a large space on our preserving table. We consider the Industry and DouTiing the best. Gooseberries are much better cooked in the jars. It requires a little more work, but you will be repaid for the extra trouble in the results obtained. While the berries are cooking, prepare a heavy syrup, fill the jars full and overflowing, put on good, new rubbers, seal tightly and you will have not only good preserves for the tea table, but an excel- lent relish to be served with meats. Use the same method in canning the raspberry as the gooseberry. When cooked -in the jars you retain tlie form, color and flavor; the syrup does not require to be as heavy for the raspberry as the gooseberry, and the beiTies need only to be thoroughly heated and sealed air- tight. I usually use the cold process for preserving currants, using equal parts of currants and sugar. Great care must be used in preserving this way, that every berry be crushed; if even one remains whole, fermentation will surely take place. I use a silver fork and plate for this purpose, crushing only a few at a time. If properly done they will keep indefinitely. I have cur- rants put up in this way two years ago, and they still retain their natural color and flavor. Blackberries and raspberries preserved in like manner are very nice. For pears, use the following: Pare the fruit and cut in halves, remove the core, throw into cold water to keep from being discolored. Use one pound of sugar to three pounds of fruit and a quart of water to three pounds of sugar; when the syrup is boiling, take the pears from the water and drop into the syrup; cook until they can be pierced easily with a fork, fill the jars with the fruit and fill up to the brim with syrup. Strain the syrup that it may look clear in the jars. Plums are preserved in about the same way as other fruits, sweeter varieties requiring about half a pound of sugar, and the sour plums about three-quarters of a pound to a pound of fruit. While it is generally understood that jelly can be made from any kind of fruit juice, some of the jellies made from some kinds of fruit will prove to be only a thick syrup, while the combina- tion of some of the fruits will give excellent results. The fruits which do not contain pectin, the substance which makes the juice form a jelly, should be used with fruit which does contain it. 54 state: POMOLonicAi^ socie:ty. Raspberries, strawberries and cherries need the addition of cur- rants ; barberries, peaches and pears need apples, plums or quince to make a perfect jelly. The juice that is strained without any pressure makes the clearest and nicest jelly, and is of much finer flavor when the sugar is not boiled long with the fruit. If pos- sible, strain the jelly before pouring into the glasses ; fill each glass full and when cold pour over the top melted paraffine to exclude the air, then put on the tin cover. In preparing this paper I have mentioned only, the varieties of fruit raised on our own farm and my method of canning and preserving them. The market is flooded with bogus preserves and jellies as well as other food products, and these are used only for want of a pure article.- Some active measures should be taken to protect from the injurious effects sure to follow the use of these com- pounds, made from anything and everything save fruit, and the best way is to so utilize the surplus from our gardens and orchards as to educate to a clear distinction and cultivate a love for the best which will always satisfy. Our pomological inter- ests suffer from the presence. of these compounds and well organ- ized and concerted effort alone can so multiply the genuine that no one will accept the frauds. Here is a field for the skilled housewives on Maine farms to cultivate and there are substantial returns waiting the effort. STATK POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 55 CARE OF PLANTS FOR HOUSE AND GARDEN. By Miss G. P, Sanborn. Having had some experience in 'the last fev^ years in growing plants and flowers, we will talk a few minutes of a few very simple things which may help those who wish to grow plants in the winter in their farm-house windows. It is one thing to grow plants in a house heated by steam or hot water, and another thing to grow plants in a house with stoves and wood fires — the preference being in favor of the farm-house with the wood fires. Of course those of us who keep house plants have a garden or beds for them in summer, out of doors. When August comes and we must begin to plan for our winter window-garden, the first question is, ''What shall I do with all of my plants? They are so large I have no room for them, too large to give away, and it is too bad to let them freeze." And there is no need of this. Every farmer has a cellar for storing vegetables — ^this is the place to keep your large plants. We will begin with geraniums, which are the most satis- factory. In August take of¥ your slips, put them into the ground close beside the plant you take them from. This gives Ihem shade, which they must have, and 3^ou know then what your slips are like. When cold weather comes, your slips are just right to put into small pots — small pots — small pots, remem- ber, and will bloom all winter if you keep them in small pots, and be handsome plants for the garden, the coming summer. The old, large plants from which you have taken your slips, are taken up with earth left on the roots, placed in a shallow, rough, wooden box, soap box, an}1:hing, and carried to the cellar. During the winter, when the weather is mild, water them ; three or four times is enough. The leaves will fall ofif, the branches will dry and die too, and when the time com'es to bring them to the light again they will be a sorry looking lot. About the last of March or the first of April, bring them up, shake off the old earth, cut off some of the large, hard roots, cut off all the dead wood down to where it is green and hard — no matter if it is within three or four inches of the pot — then put them into 55 STATE POMOI.OGICAL SOCIETY. small pots with new earth. I said small pots. Place them any- where in the light where they will not freeze, and soon new leaves will make their appearance. Now feed them with good manure water and keep them in small pots — small pots — small pots — and long before it is time to put anything out of doors they will be full of flowers. These plants well cut back, as we have mentioned, will grow round, even, full and bushy, giving you a very handsome, ornamental plant, instead of the usual Shanghai style so often grown by the amateur, while it has a great many more flowering stalks, so you will have almost a globe of blooms. Geranium.s grow and flower better in a dr}^ soil. So much for our geraniums. We have two other plants just as desirable though not as much grown. The best one is snapdragon. One paper of seeds costing twenty-five cents will supply a whole neighborhood. Plant your seeds in a box two or three weeks before time to make your garden. In May put out your little seedlings. In late summer and all the fall you have hand- some plants of dark green foliage, with long spikes of dainty flowers — white, pale pink, lavender, lilac, and various other shades. Just before the frost comes, lift your plants, cut off all the old hard growth, snip off the blooms and buds, place in as small a pot as you can and not destroy the working roots, and put them in any sunny window which you can spare. These grow better very cool, with plenty of air. During the winter, and all through the winter, you will be favored with these deli- cate, long, slender spikes of flowers. These remain in bloom a long time and are much sought for during winter as table deco- rations. They do not easily wilt and remain fresh for ten days after being cut. This plant is very desirable from the fact that it will stand the cold. I have plants in my garden now looking just as bright and fresh as though freeze and frost had never been heard of. The next plant worth having and which helps make a variety is the Nicotiana. Plant the seeds out of doors in spring. It will bloom all the fall. Then lift, place in pot or small box or tomato can, old sugar bowl or anything sinall, cut it back to six or eight inches of the pot. New shoots will put out, and when the sunny days come in January, February and March, this will state; pomologicaIv society. 57' continually bloom, giving you a white, bell-shaped flower, very fragrant and delicate. Another thing which we have learned is how to grow sweet peas in winter. For a window take a piece of coarse hen-wire- the size of the lower half of the w^indow. After this is fastened on the side of the case next to the room, make a narrow box. about six inches deep and the width of the window sill. The last of January or the first of February, in earth not too rich, plant mixed sweet peas. These will stand lots of cold, too. When these sprout, you will find that they grow very slowly at first. When about ten or twelve inches tall, pinch off the top, which will make them branch out, then snip the branches. This will fill your netting of wire full of foliage and flowering shoots. If it comes a fearfully cold night, tuck newspapers between the Vvire and the window. This keeps them from the outside cold. Your night fire of course keeps your room from freezing. You will find also that these need lots of water, especially after they begin to fl.ower, and be sure that you let no seed-pod form — these deplete your plant and you fail to get your flowers. In the early spring, when there is mud everywhere and it seems as though summer would never come, you will have these beautiful, fragrant flowers, so suggestive of cool summer mornings and long, sunny afternoons. There is nothing sw/eeter, prettier and more tasteful in the shape of a flower for the sickroom. These four things which I have mentioned will stand lots of cold. That is why I speak of them as especially desirable for houses where wood fires are depended upon. I used to find my geranium leaves and branches in cold mornings frozen on to the windows, and the rooms so cold that very, thin ice would form. Just as soon as the sun shone they would thaw from the win- dows and look as fresh and bright as though nothing unusual had happened. In the coldest weather, in cool rooms, I find it best to keep the earth quite dry. Ten-weeks stock makes another fine house plant. A few seeds planted the last of the summer, kept well manured, will soon germinate. When cold weather comes, lift these into small pots — small pots, remember, — or tomato cans, or any small dish which you can spare, and if the plant runs up tall and thin, pinch off the top. This will branch it out and if you feed these, give them light, sun if you can, plenty of air and lots of water, you 58 state: pomological society. will have a wealth of sweet flowers. And if your seed are the Princess Alice variety, double, it will be better to cut your flowers as soon as well developed, to have your plant grow large and remain prolific. Just before I started off yesterday morning I found in my garden a bunch of calendulas. These are a late growth out of doors and the whole bunch put into a small pot will give bright yellow flowers the whole dark winter through. You see I have rung the change on small pots. This pot question is the one bane of home plant culture. It is the great bugbear of the florist. We sell a plant to a customer all ready for the winter growing. It is sent home in the morning. By afternoon of the same day a boy comes and says, "Mamma wants a big pot." In the course of a month the customer appears with a woeful complaint. ''That plant I bought of you hasn't grown one bit. I don't know what ails it. I have done everything to it. I never could make plants grow." Then I ask, "What did A'-ou do to it^" "Oh, I did everything," is the reply. "In the first place I put it right into a large pot just as soon as I got it home. Then I watered and watered it, then I put in new earth and took a great big pot this time. Well, I did everything and that plant won't grow. Plants never do grow for me." Now that poor plant had been tormented to death. If a small plant is in a large pot, ihe plant itself will not grow till the jar is full of roots, and while it is making roots it will grow no flowers. This is why I have reiterated small pots, small pots. When the pot is once filled with roots then your plant grows, throws out flower shoots and buds, and if it is flowers ypu wiant you must keep the plant in a small pot and feed it well with manure water. The less root room, the more foliage and flowers if well nourished. ' Bulbs are inexpensive, take little room, will grow in cool, airy rooms, are very little trouble and a great satisfaction. Easter lilies are lovely and can be easily grown. If you buy large bulbs, put them in five-inch pots, water well, put in dark place till the pots are filled v.ith roots, then bring them to the light and sun, keep them well wet down with manure water till color shows on the bud, then use clear water. If you continue to use the feed it will turn the edges of the flowers dark. Gladiolas are fine for house plants. If you have room you can have boxes of them full of flowers, as early as February and March. The light STATK POMOLOC^ICAL SOCIETY. 59 shades are the most desirable. The mammoth oxahs is beau- tiful. A dozen bulbs put into a hanging pot — this will take no space — and if you have all yellow ones, which I think much the prettier, you will get a bunch of sunshine for your pains. Dutch hyacinths, three or four in a pot that will just hold them, placed in the dark till the roots grow ; then bring to the sunlight grad- ually, and you have something to feast the eyes upon. As soon as the flowers die, dry off your bulbs and keep them for the garden. There are several colors of these, white, lavender and pink being the favorite shades. Freesias are very inexpensive little bulbs. Put a dozen or two in a tomato plant box, keep them in the cellar in the dark till the sprouts show above the earth, then bring to the light, and you will have as handsome a bouquet as you can wish, of tiny white and lemon-tinted, bell-shaped, delicate flowers. Ferns and foliage plants are always desirable and can be grown in the windows much easier than is generally supposed. If we could always remember to keep our ferns in the shade and our flowering plants in the sun, we should be more successful ; and ferns, dracsenas, palms and araucarias will keep well and look well and be ready to grow in the spring when their time for growing comes, in a very cool room. There is one great mistake made with ferns. It is natural for the most of them to die down to the roots once every year. Most amateurs think they are dead. They are only taking a little rest. Not many know that the delicate tropical maidenhair can be frozen solid, taken in, thawed, placed in the warm sun and grows again, long, fine, graceful fronds. Flowering maples give good satisfaction, as they, will stand any amount of abuse, and if kept in a small pot, fed well with manure water, they are graceful of foliage, and not to be despised flowering plants. I have spoken of these few common things because I know they will grow and pay the grower for her trouble in an ordinary farm-house, with only the heat from the kitchen stove and the sunny south windows. I live in one of these same little farm- houses, just out of the city limits, one story high with low ceil- ings, medium-sized rooms and the sunniest south windows pos- sible. There are no carpets for the sun to fade, so I bring in plants, any or all kinds, and keep them for months, where they always do well. I have not mentioned that it is well if you can 50 STATE POMOI.OGICAI, SOCIETY. to spray the leaves of your plants. You can take them to the sink and use a whisk broom. You can shower your sweet peas just where they are. If you get your windows spattered with dirt and water it won't show. For the summer garden we have all of these plants which w^e had in our windows, excepting the sweet peas — which is a good beginning. For the busy housewife who does all of her house- work besides taking care of the children, doing the mending, knitting, making butter and perhaps cheese, and possibly spin- nmg all the stocking yarn, T should not recommend many seed- lings or annuals for out of doors. Perennials and shrubs are so much easier and they are always there. A few: loads of dress- ing wheeled around the roots in the fall is something which ought to be done, and if you can, have some one drive a stiff stake near each bush and tie the branches close together to the stake. The heavy snows will not injure them. Spirea Van Houtteii is one of the best shrubs. It is always pretty and graceful out of bloom, but when in full flower it looks like a bank of snow. I greatly prize one I have by a low, sunny window. Golden glow is another plant which when once established is well worth the trouble. It grows tall and has a wealth of hand- some yellow flowers, something like chrysanthemums, always yellow, splendid for cutting. Delphinium is another grand plant. Dr. Young of the health department at the State House, has in his garden a root of this which has reached enor- mous size. I went there one day to bu}" some tall cut flowers for parlor decorations for a customer. These long sprays stood twelve feet high and the big root itself was fully eight or ten feet in diameter. The color of the flowers ran from dark purple through all the shades to light lavender and white. Now this i? something any one can have — for I immediately sent away for a root and got a small one for fifteen cents. Then I planted some seed — all grew finely — and I hope some day to have a large bush. These are fine for cutting, as they keep a long time in fresh water. This summer I planted two castor oil beans in a sunny corner where there was plenty of moisture. They grew ten feet tall, with leaves eighteen inches across. They looked decidedly tropical. I have a little back piazza where I keep the step-ladder, mop^ slop jar, wash bench and wringer and lots of things. It is some- state: pomologicai, socie:ty. 6e times a rare sight for high-toned customers who come to the greenhouses, so I thought I would have a bower and screen. We procured some beans, scarlet runners, planting close together, placing bean poles to run on, and found when summer came we had a solid shade of handsome green, covered with bright scarlet flowers, reaching to the eaves. Besides, when the time came, we had plenty of string beans, and delicious ones, too, from these same vines. No one in the country should let a spring go by without plant- ing a sweet honeysuckle by the front door, if they have not already done so, and a clematis beside the porch door. This last is a new Japanese climber, perfectly hardy, and has clouds of fine white flowers, remains in bloom more than a month, requires no especial care. Of course you expect to give every- thing some dressing, which is always a protection if put on in the fall. There are plants and plants, but these few common ones for house and garden which I have mentioned, are the ones I have tried and am sure of. These will thrive under adverse circum- stances and fully repay the grower for all the pains she may take. 62 STATK POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY NATURE STUDIES FOR THE FARMER'S BOY. By Mrs. V. B. DeCoster. It seems strange to us country people that many people in large cities can live next door to others for years, without know- ing them by sight or even learning their names. And yet we cotmtry people do almost the same thing. We have many good neighbors living on our own farms, who are a great help to ns in many ways, with whom we never form the slightest acquaintance. Why, there are families of birds, butterflies, insects and plants of wonderful beauty and interest, if we only get an introduction and cultivate their acquaintance. Evervone who lives in the country should know these neigh- bors better. We need never be lonely. The children can always iiave playmates. Nature Studies open a new world to th'em. It is not enough to know the names of the birds about us, we should learn their habits, song, and especially their favorite food. Many of them are valuable friends and can often be encouraged to make their homes near us by planting shrubs or trees which bear their favorite fruits, and by giving various helps in nest building. The Baltiinore Oriole and several other kinds help to destroy our apple tree caterpillars. In most town and city schools Nature Studies form a part of the regular course. In our small ungraded country schools, we seldom have a teacher capable of teaching them. Even when they know how, they have so many classes in the "3 R's," it would be hard to find the time. But only, think of the possibilities ! If the farmer's children could only be taught these things right where they are sur- rounded with all necessary living object lessons. Although it is a grand thing for city children to have access to the fine museums and Natural History rooms, a child could be taught more in a half day, by a brook and meadow, than he would learn in a whole term from dead specimens. He needs to see the living objects in their natural homes. There is just as much difference as for us to try to get acquainted with persons by their photographs and what people state: pomological society. 63 say about them, compared with visiting them in their own homes and talking with them. Nature Studies are one of the best means to teach children to be observant and to study and investigate small things which would not be noticed by ordinary people. They also teach patience, gentleness, perseverance, art, love and reverence. Of course it would be impossible to teach any child all of the varieties of birds, flowers, insects, stones and trees, to be found even in their own locality. But it is possible to awaken an interest in these things, teach him a few fundamental principles, and furnish him with means to continue his studies jilone. In some of the European countries they have established ''School Gardens.'' These are often quite large gardens where the scholars each have a plot of ground and do the work of practical gardening, and take the different branches of Nature Study. As long ago as 1880, Sweden had over 2,000 of such School Gardens. The Swedish emigrants to this country are more sought after as gardeners and farm laborers than any other class, and the reason is supposed to be their efficiency and habits formed in childhood at these gardens. Austria and France also have many such schools, and they are fast gaining in reputation in other countries. The United States seemiS to be considering the needs of such schools, as they have recently had the consuls in all those coun- tries send a report of these schools to Washington, which have been printed in a very interesting, illustrated report. The State Board of Agriculture of Massachusetts has also begun the pub- lication of Nature Leaflets, which will certainly accomplish much good, if distributed in the right places. I have also heard, on good authority, that a similar work will be taken up in Maine. The long vacations of our country schools which often seem half wasted have so impressed me, that about a year ago, I began a little work among the children of our district that I think could be successfully carried on in many other country neighborhoods. During the long winter vacation, I had the children meet at my home once a week, then after school began, the teacher gave me an hour of the school time occasionally. During the winter we studied from seeds, trees, leaves, mounted birds, butterflies, 64 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. minerals, etc. Then as spring came on they watched the buds of maple, alder, willow, hazel, etc. They started seeds of tomatoes, celery, pansies and other flowers in the house. This fall we have been studying bulbs. The children became so interested that they decided to have a tulip bed at the school- house. In order that they might fully realize its value and feel a true interest and ownership, I told them not to ask anyone to give them the money but for each one to earn what they could, and tell me how. The pennies soon came in, earned in many ways, such as picking apples, tending baby, milking, cutting corn, picking up potatoes, janitor work at schoolhouse, cleaning the hen house, and one little girl had had her choice in having a tooth pulled, either to give the dentist a quarter for cocaine to deaden the pain, or have it pulled without anything and keep her quarter for tulips. Although it was a large double tooth, not loose, she had it pulled without flinching, for the sake of the lovely flowers. I told them I would earn enough for the fenc- ing, for we did not propose to have the neighbors' hens and chil- dren in that garden. Some of the big boys spaded it up and brought dressing and put up the fence. And a good lesson was learned when the bulbs were planted. They have a bed three by fifteen feet with several dozen tulips, daffodils and narcissus, all snugly tucked into their winter bed and covered with a blanket of fir boughs. If any of you go past East Buckfield during the month of May I want you to be sure to notice the tulip bed. Right here, I will anticipate a question which some of you busy mothers may ask, "How can a woman with a family find time for such things, without neglecting her housework?" That depends on the woman and upon what she considers neces- sary housework. A woman with only two in the family can find enough to keep her busy all of the time, if she is so disposed. Or, she can make a study of economizing time, strength and labor and still do what is necessary for the best interests of her family. If a littie hand steals into mine, and a childish voice pleads, "mamma, won't you go to walk with us?" or ''mamma, do please come down to the brock." The chances are, the family may have to go without cake for supper or pie for dinner, or the white clothes may be very much slighted in ironing. However, STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 65 they will have enough good wholesome food and clean, comfort- able clothes, although they may not have so many tucks and ruffles as many others. In future years, I had rather my chil- dren had the memories of our walks and studies together than to say "my mother was an immaculate housekeeper." Now the next question some woman will ask is "How can they teach what they do not know themselves?'' That is more easily answered. There are books, books, wonderful books ! With illustrations upon every branch of study you may desire. Can't afford them ? Oh, yes, you can, you spent many a dime and quarter which you might save and fifty cents, yes there are many nice books for even a quarter. After you once get chil- dren interested, they will bring things to you and hunt them up in the books. It doesn't take very much time after all and how could it be better spent than keeping in touch with the children ? Why, there are books on flowers in which a child six years old can find almost every specimen in this town. There is a dear little bird book for only sixty cents so arranged that you can learn the name and habits of almost any bird you may see in New England. A two cent leaflet gives a table con- cerning the foods of different kinds of birds. There are books on insects which tell of all the wriggly things a boy finds in the brook, of the beetles under the rocks, of the caterpillars eating our plants and trees and the miracles of their transformations into beautiful moths and butterflies. Books that will open our eyes to see many wonderful things about us of which we never dreamed. One day last summer I was showing an old man some butter- flies and telling him the life histories of some of them. He pointed to a large yellow one, with black bands, which the chil- dren call Deacon Turnus with his swallow-tail coat, and said, '1 saw one like that yaller one. once, just as it hatched out. I remember it was in the year '6i. I was settin' under an apple tree when sumthin' dropped on to the ground and I picked it up. It was one of them yaller and black butterflies, all wrinkled and soft, jest as it hatched. I carried it into the house and watched it awhile. Before night he could fly all around. Think of it ! A m.an nearly seventy years old, so interested in that one butterfly he could remember even the year, almost forty years ago, "in '6i," and that was the only one he had ever seen 66 state: POMOLOGICAI, SOCIETY. while living on a farm all his life, with thousands of such trans- formations going on about him and he was blind just because no one had ever told him when and where and how to look. Children will see many things which vitally affect the success of the farmer. For instance, one day last winter we were hav- ing a lesson on the blue jay. I asked if anyone could tell me anything interesting about the bird. One boy said that a short time before he was out in their orchard with his father and uncle and they saw a blue jay very busy among the apple trees. His father said he was going in and get his gun and shoot the bird because he v;as "budding the trees," but "after father w^ent in I just crept up close where I could see and I found he was eating caterpillar eggs. He would twist them right off with his bill and eat them and I just hung some ears of corn in those trees so as to keep him there." This same boy in summer walked a mile to bring me a Luna moth which he found on a butternut tree. A little girl only four years old, brought me a piece of a cabbage leaf, no larger than a silver quarter, which she had picked in the garden, and asked me what it was upon it. Upon looking closely I saw what seemed like a dozen short white hairs, less than half an inch in length, standing erect and on the tip of each one was a tiny, light green egg. Upon looking it up in one of my books I found it illustrated and described as the eggs of the Lace Winged Fly. The flies I had often seen in the garden but did not know what they w^ere. These eggs hatch a small w^orm^ or larva called the ''aphis lion," aphids are com- monly called plant lice. And he truly was a lion for I kept one under a lantern chimney and supplied him with leaves covered with aphids and it was wonderful how fast he cleared these leaves. These aphis lions at maturity spin a round cocoon in vv^hich they develop into the dainty light green, lace winged fly. I noticed one Japan plum tree whose leaves were all curled up from having their juices eaten by the aphids until the aphis lions cleaned tliem off, then the new leaves grew out smooth and perfect, presenting a gre?t contrast. These ought surely to be cultivated in sections troubled by the pea louse, of which there was much complaint last summer. A lady who owns a greenhouse once said to me, ''teach your children about plant lice and ants." When I first began in my STATK POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 6/ greenhouse I noticed where there were many, plant hce I often saw ants running about among them and so encouraged the ants thinking they were eating the Hce, but after awhile I found out that the lice were the cows of the ants. Ants will gently stroke the lice with their antennae and the lice will secrete a drop of sweet fluid from two little projections upon their body which the ants drink. Moreover the ants wuU take the eggs of lice into their nests and hatch and rear the young. As we look at the bountiful crop of fruit this year and recall how our trees were covered with caterpillars last year, the leaves eaten, the crop ruined, how many can tell whether it is chance, climatic conditions: or in accordance with God's laws. If you had seen some neighbor go into your orchards last year and Jcill off most of your caterpillars you would have thanked him, at least, perhaps offered to pay him something. But this is just w^hat did happen in a large measure. One of those little neigh- bors with whom we are not even on speaking terms and but few of us even know by sight and who so resembles a wasp that most of us would be frightened if one lit on our hands, — those little neighbors which are called Ichneumon flies, were very busy lay- ing their eggs on those same caterpillars which hatched into little larva and eventually destroyed the caterpillar. One of the laws of nature is that every insect, every plant, in fact every living thing has its foes. Were it not so the earth would soon be overrun with the strongest of some few species. Whenever an insect multiplies to a great extent then you will see some parasite multiply in proper proportion for their extermina- tion. Another little insect not half appreciated is the honey bee. Most people think of the bee only as furnishing honey, when in reality we are largely dependent upon it for flowers, fruit and vegetables, as many of them are almost wholly fertilized by bees carrying the pollen from one blossom to another. Grant Allen a noted English scientist says that in England they do not have insects necessary for fertilizing melons, cucumbers and squashes. Oh ! there are so many common things which make life rich and sweet and beautiful if our eyes are only opened to see them. That is what we must do, open the eyes of the children, teach them to look for these things, then year after year they will lay 68 STATE POMOI^OGTCAI, SOCIETY. up a store of knowledge and learn to love the farm. City life will not have such overwhelming attractions. We are often told that the best way to "keep a boy on the farm" is to give him a lamb, some poultry or other live stock or some share in the fruit whereby he may earn some money for himself. But I say, begin back of that, before a child is old enough to learn the love of money he can be taught to love nature. SAVING A FARM. H. W. COLLINGWOOD, N. J.* There are two things in this world for which no measure has ever yei been found. One is the possible crop that can be grown on one acre of land. I don't think any man was ever foolish enough to say that he had grown in any crop all that can possibly be produced on one single acre. That crop has never been measured and I doubt if it ever will be. In like manner no one has ever yet measured the possibilities for good or evil of a full blooded Yankee. The impossibility of measuring the possible crop an acre of land can produce and the impossibility of show- ing that a Maine Yankee has ever done all that he could ! I want to put these two things together and see what we will get. I never was in Maine but once before. Twenty-one years ago I ran through the corner of the State. I look back twenty-one years and it seems something like an old story. I went through New England on a flying trip. I was one of the boys w^ho made up their minds that there was not a living to be made in New England. I went through bound for the west. At that time thousands of your best young men and women complained that New England no longer furnished any oppor- tunity for them, and they were going west to Kansas and Nebraska. I know the cars were crowded and at every station young people got on the train all bound for the west. They were going away from New England because they could not ''make a living on these old hills.'' They were going where land was not ''played out." I have come back to the east to end my days on a farm, and perhaps the story of why I turned back from the west, why I changed my mind, why I now know that there STATK POMOLOGICAL S0CIE:TY. %; are opportunities for the farmers of New England to make a living, thai is the best story perhaps, that I can tell to you to-night. Twenty years ago there w^as a time when depression seemed to hang all over the east. You and I know how many of the neighbors pulled up and went away. You could not keep them here ; they went ''out west." So year after year the popu- lation dropped steadily dovs^n, down, down. You could not keep them here, and for thirty years after the war there was a steady loss of population, which was taken away from the east and dumped west of the Mississippi. Now what was this that took the men away from the east? It was in the very air. These people had the idea that beyond the Mississippi there was a land where people could get something for nothing. Far back before the war, the farmers on the hills of New England were pros- perous as they never were before. They were a simple, plain, God fearing people. They asked odds of no man. They looked every man in the eye, and if they did not like him they told him so. They were a^ strong, fearless people, the best sort of people the country ever produced. My grandfather tells the story how the farmers from Northern New England came to Boston fifty or sixty years ago. They would \yait till the snow came then they would load with wood, wool^ dried apples, wax, and maple sugar and start off for Boston. The day before they started the housewife would take the big iron kettle and boil it full of bean soup ; then set it out and freeze It hard and turn it out in a solid block. Then the next morning the farmer would bore a hole right through the middle of that soup, hang it on the sled and throw a cloth over it and carry it off to Boston. When they wanted dinner they would take a hatchet, and cut of a few slivers of that bean soup. That is the kind of people that made this country. These people made America what it is to-day. That was the kind of people that cut slavery away from this country. When the history of the great boundless west is written as it ought to be do you know that nine-tenths of its greatness will be traced back to the pork and beans, the fish balls and the doughnuts eaten in the New Eng- land kitchen lOO years ago? Many of the abandoned farms of New England were deserted because the son or brother was. killed at the front. Among the noblest monuments to the Amer- yo STATE P0M0r,OClCAl. SOCIETY. ican farmer are the silent farm houses with the windows nailed up standing alone on the New England hills. Many of these soldiers when they came back were not satisfied with New Eng- land. The men get the microbe of roving in their bones. The government wanted to settle the west for various reasons. The rural villages of the country were flooded with railroad circulars, and papers and books which told of the wonderful west. They made our young men and young women discontented and it kept on so that until 1890 there was a steady decrease of the popula- tion of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Now I have heard western men make this prophecy, that the centre of government of this country is bound to jump across the Mississippi. They say New England is doomed. It has done enough for the country ! The old farms of New England must be abandoned, and let the woods come back to claim its own. They pretended that this New England of ours could not live. Year after year, they said, you would find the population going west. "Only the old men remained at home." They said ''the west is the place." "New England is not in it." The census of 1900 just completed shows that at last the tide has turned and Maine is gaining population faster than Kansas. Kansas with all its wealth and all its "boom" and all its bound- less prairie. The State of Maine outstripped Kansas and the states of Vermont and New Hampshire outstripped Nebraska ! The three New England states, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont in spite of their age have gained in the last ten years 15,000 inhabitants more than these two great western states. The tide has turned for the New England States. Men are now glad to get back to the farms of New England. They are glad they went west to see the country, and glad to get back again. The tide has turned, but some will say, "the milling and manu- facturing counties have gained in population, that it is not a gain in the rural counties." That is where they make a mistake, the fact is that the rural counties of these States have gained faster than any other state in this country except one, Oklahoma. The tide has turned back to New England. I wish that some of the money that has been spent out west would also come back to New England. STATit POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. yi People were told that they could get twelve per cent for their money by building up western towns and farms and they saved every dollar to send there for investment. Much of it was lost. If the Yankees of New England had been wise enough and shrewd enough to invest every dollar of that money in New England, I tell 3^ou New England would be a grander place than it is. Now why are these men coming back from the west? Why is the tide changed to New England ? There must be a reason for all this. In the first place the people say there are better chances near the coast. There are two things which enter into the job of making a living ; the cost of producing and the cost of selling. It takes so much money in Maine to produce a barrel of apples, and so much in Kansas to produce another barrel. The Kansas barrel is probably cheaply. You can probably pro- duce them for less money in Kansas than in Maine but how about the markets? If you will draw a line twenty-five miles west of New York and run that line right, through Eake Cham- plain and then stop and see what you have got, you will find that you enclose the homes of eight or ten million of people. It is the best market on the face of the earth. You will find more people who demand every fresh dainty and delicacy, than you will in any other place of equal area on the face of the earth ! I say a man who is right here inside this area has the advantage of the market over a man i,ooo miles away. They find they can produce almost everything in the west at a lower price than they can on the New England hills, but when it comes to selling, what then? The western farmer is suporting three families. His own family on the farm, and the families of two other men that stand between his farm and the consumer, but who pay absolutely nothing toward handling the crops which he produces on his farm. These men who went to Nebraska and Kansas and even farther west say that it cost so much more to market their crops that they are receiving less for their labor than the New England man. These men say if they were back on these old hills they would at least be in "God's country." ''If I were only back in God's country !" I have had people tell me that many times in the west. ''If I could see the Hudson, if I were only back in God's coun- 'J2 state: pomological society. try !" Say what you will of New England, it is the place to live in, it is the place to die in. It is the place for young men and young women. It is the place for men of middle age. It is the place for the old man, where his ancestors lived, where his chil- dren were born. New England is the place ! New England for- ever! If you were to say truthfully where you would rather spend your declining days the majority of you would say, 1 would rather go back to the old homestead, back amid the scenes of my childhood." I have in my pocket a letter, one of fifty which I have received in four months. It is from a physician who states that his family is not well ; he does not get on well in his profession, he has got a little property but it will be only a little while before that is used up, "Can I make a living on one of those run down farms in New England?" he asks. I have a letter from my bookkeeper in New York, one from a Brooklyn man, and two from Jersey City. I know that there are thou- sands of this class of people who are driven out of the cities and long to go back to the farms. Do you know I think this is going to be a good thing for the farms. It is bound to be a good thing for agriculture, and a good thing for New England. You know that since these great corporations have been perfected many young men feel that they are being driven out of business and trade. I am not an old man, but I can remember that when I was a little boy living in a town in Massachusetts, such work as digging ditches and digging sewers was done by such men as my father, v/ho belonged to the middle class of people. They did not lose their self respect by doing such work. I remember that all of a sudden these Yankees disappeared and the ditches were full of Irishmen and the pay went down to $2 a dav. Afterward the Irishmen disappeared and the work was done by Italians and the pay went down to $1.75. I have seen the time when the Italians disappeared andthe work was done by Cana- dians for $1.25 and they were folowed by Huns. I have seen that work done to-day by a machine, a "steam Irishman" at a cost of fifty-five cents per day for a man's labor. I believe that every industrial change that comes to this coun- try offers the farmer a chance to do better than ever before. I find plenty of men who look me in the eye and say "I am doing better on the. farm than ever before, because I am raising differ- STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 73 ent crops in a different way." It is a definite law of nature that every industrial change offers new opportunity and new power to the farmer who will only take hold of it like a man and fight for it. Here in the State of Maine you have the ideal rural community. 1 don't believe the old rural community is passing away. In this State you preserve the old character, the old tradition, and the old simplicity of living. The Maine farmer of to-day does not need to run away to the West. All about him are glorious opportunities to save and make over the strongest and best of soil. Save a farm ! Save a farm from the ^vilderness ! Save a farm for your country. Don't let the woods claim it again. Don't let the wilderness grab it, but stand by that farm and save it, and fight for it. Save a farm, the noblest work a man can do. Save it for your family and country ! T know of people who used to say this, "Farm- ing in New England is dead, because the farms are worn out." That is where these people make a mistake. Soil is never worn out. That is not a piece of ground on the face of the earth that is "worn out." I believe that for 265 years the gardens in Ply- mouth have produced vegetables and I don't know now many years before that the Indians raised their corn there, and they still produce the best of crops. Land cannot be worn out in less than 5,000 years ! I believe that a soil will lose its character. I will tell you v/hat I mean. As an illustration, you have per- haps knov/n in your life some great, big, powerful man, strong of heart and soul, looking you right in the eye. That man goes wrong and the v/orld points the finger of scorn at him ; he loses his reputation, his "character." His muscles are as strong as ever, but through lack of character his powers are wasted. Something you cannot estimate or analyze or weigh comes into his life and saves him. Then you have seen a change in that man. He throws back his head and his shoulders, his character has been restored. Now the so-called "worn out" soils of New England have lost their character. I can make more money by buying land that has lost its character and putting that char- acter back than I can in selling stocks with the same amount of money. How can you bring character back to soil? You can't sit down in a chair and scratch vour head and do it, but you must 74 STATi: POMOI.OGICAI, SOCIETY. scratch the soil. You have got to work hard for it. I own a farm of ninety acres of abandoned land in New Jersey. The farm I live on takes care of fourteen people. It was a farm on which a mortgage was foreclosed before I took it. Three fami- lies failed on that farm. Why ? Because they did not recognize that the land had lost its character. I almost lost faith when I saw that land. I went up and looked it over and remembered my experience with the Southern cow pea. I plowed the ground, broadcast the peas, plowed them in, and the next thing we were beginning to see the character of that soil coming back. It came back by leaps and bounds and we are able to grow corn by using the cow pea where even rye would not grow. A farmer I know said to me, '*! want you to look at that wheat and tell me if you can't find a little tract that is a little better than the rest !" I went into the centre of the field — a blmd man could have told the different^e. I asked, "What have you been putting on, 'J^'"^ Jones' phosphate?'" "No, sir, I plowed in there a crop of Southern cow peas, two years ago." There is not an abandoned farm that cannot be brought up by the use of the cow pea, clover and lime. These things will do it for you, I know it because we are doing the same thing in New Jersey. It is a great honor for you to make such an exhibit of apples as you show here. My business takes me everywhere and I see all these exhibitions, and with one exception I have never seen a better display of first-class apples than you have here to-day. Where you can produce such apples as these, where you can put them on the market as you do, there is no country on the face of the earth that can compare with you in the production of fine apples. Think of your advantages in regard to the market, how you can reach these markets and control them f The day has gone by when you can produce forty or fifty bushels of potatoes to the acre and make it pay. It will not pay you to raise rye as you used to do. If you stick to your fine vege- tables, your apples and fruit as your principal products, you will always have a ready market for them. In the face of the fact that science is telling us how to redeem these old farms, he \vlould be a strange man who would say that Maine agriculture is doomed and there is no chance for him here. As the white is coming into my hair and as I begin to realize that perhaps my best day's work is done, I feel surer if I can STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 75 live to say that I have saved a farm I shall not have lived in vain. I hope to be able to say at the close of life, "I have saved a farm f I have done something for my country, I have done something for my family, I have saved a farm. It stands as a monument for all that is good and true in me. I have saved a farm, I have done my duty !" If any one of you can live to say that you have kept the wilderness back from a farm, and saved it from the forest, you will indeed be worthy of the proud name of Ameri- can freeholder! Mr. Collingwood then referred to the time when he was a little boy and pumped the church organ in the little church on the hill, and repeated a poem which he composed when in the West far awav from the home of his childhood. SECRETARY'S PORTFOLIO. We herewith give space to a large part of a bulletin issued by the Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station entitled ''Apples of the Fameuse Type." Our fruit growers will find this history and description very, interesting, as apples of this type are amongst our most profitable for the home market. They are early and abundant bearers with many good qualities and few defects except the liability to attacks of the apple scab. INTRODUCTORY. The second revision of Downing's "Fruits and Fruit Trees of America," which is the standard work on descriptive pomology for America, names 1,856 varieties of apples. This list was pub- lished in 1872, since which time there have undoubtedly been some hundreds of varieties introduced. In 1892 Bailey made a list of the apples offered in nurserymen's catalogues in the United States and Canada, and found that there were 878 varie- ties then named, propagated and held for sale. Besides the varieties sold by the nurserymen at any given time, there are always manv m.ore not generally distributed but kept, coddled and prized in private collections, in small neighborhoods, or in out-of-the-way places. It seems a very moderate estimate, therefore, to say that there are 1,000 different kinds of apples in commercial circulation on this continent to-day, that there are over 2,000 varieties described in contemporary literature, and that there have been more than 3,000 separate sorts named and propagated in America within the period covered by our brief pomological history. The impossibility of any man's knowing all varieties of apples will be evident from the foregoing considerations. These thou- STATE rOMOLOGICAL S0CIE:TY. JJ sands of varieties are separated from one another by infinitesimal shades of difference. vSome of them can hardly be told apart by the most expert pomologists and after years of acquaintance. The cultivated apples are rem.arkably homogeneous. They are (with very minor exceptions for certain crabs) derived from one original species. Compare this with the cherries, — two or three hundred varieties derived from two species, — or with the plum's, wdiere a thousand varieties are derived from ten or fifteen orig- inal species. In no class of fruits, unless it be possibly the strawberries, are varietal distinctions so thin and vexatious as in apples. But while the characteristics of varieties of apples, taken all together, are so confusing, ihere are a few pronounced types which the horticulturist may fix in his mind, and round which cluster certain groups of varieties. The Fameuse presents such a type. There are several different apples of the Fameuse group, all differing measureably from Fameuse, but all conform- ing closely enough to the Fameuse type so that their close rela- tionship with one another and with Fameuse may be readily recognized by the pomologist. If the reader \\\\\ consider the foregoing paragraph closely he will see what is meant by the important terms "type" and "group." They present the essentials of pomological classifica- tion. If our multitudinous variety are ever to be classified it must be by putting them into groups ; and these groups must cluster about the more conspicuous, permanent and recognizable types. In comnxon language these groups are sometimes called ''fam- ilies," and some men speak of the "Fameuse family," the ''Ben Davis family," etc. The idea is the same ; but the terms "type" and "group" are more precise and convenient, aside from the fact that the word "family" has been pre-empted in plant study with another technical meaning. II. THE FAMEUSE TYPE. Of all the types to be discovered among our cultivated Ameri- can apples, the Fameuse is one of the most prominent, persistent and important. Fameuse itself is known over a large part of the country, is a favorite dessert apple almost everywhere, and 78 STATE P0M0L0GIC.\I. SOCIETY. is one of the most profitable commercial varieties in several important apple growing districts. The variety is widely dis- tributed, well established, almost everywhere known, constant in its general characters, and, most of all, possessed of a proclivity for producing seedling varieties of high quality. History. — The history of Fameuse is obscure, probably beyond clearing up satisfactorily, but extremely interesting as far as we know or can guess at it. The turning point of speculation for years has been as to whether the variety is of American or European origin. One of the most interesting contributions to this discussion was made by Mr. Chauncey Goodrich,'"' of Bur- lington, Vt., in 185 1. We quote the following extracts from this article: "It is here one of the most common as well as oldest varieties ; hundreds of barrels are sold in a single season in this town alone. . All American writers call it a Canadian apple ; of this I think there is no proof. One hundred and twenty years since, the French planted this variety on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, opposite Fort Frederick on Crown Point, at a place called 'Chimney Point' — more than fifty years before any other permanent settlement. From these old trees cions have been scattered through \'ermont, and called the Chimney apple. A very intelligent and highly educated French seigneur, residing on an old seignory eighty miles below Quebec, informed me that this was one of the first varieties of apples planted on the place; that the trees were very old and were brought from France. The early French settlers planted the same variety at Ogdens- burg, Detroit, and other places on Lakes Erie and Ontario, where it is still known as the ''Snow apple;" also at Kaskaskia, Illinois, more than one hundred and fifty years since, where the old trees are still productive, and apples from them are sent to St. Louis, etc. The same apple may be found in France, and in London, of the growth of France." ''It is hardly to be supposed that a seedling apple was produced in Canada at so early a day as to be distributed more than a thousand miles in every settlement made by the French, one hun- dred and fifty years since." * Hovey's Magazine of Horticulture, 17, p. 122 (1851). Boston. STATC POMOLOCICAL SOCIETY. 79 Another fact tending to suggest a European origin for Fame- use is that it is usually found in the old gardens, in company with well known European varieties of pears, apples and other fruits. On the other hand the testimony of European pomologists is mostly against the theory of a European origin. The variety is known in the larger collections of all the countries of Europe, just as Ben Davis is, and has been known there for many years. But most European authors unhesitatingly assign a Canadian origin to the variety ; and the variety seems too little known, too little appreciated, and too little at home with European surround- ings for us to believe it originated there. Those who call it a European apple usually assign its nativity to France ; but Leroy the greatest of all French, and perhaps of all European authori- ties, did not know the variety. Most of the so called Snow apples of Europe, in fact, are white skinned and totally different from the Snow, or Fameuse, of America. It is agreed that, vv^hether the Fameuse came from Europe or not, it was distributed by the earliest of the French missionaries and planted by the first settlers. Quebec was founded shortly before 1600 and Montreal in 1641. The seigniory du Cote de Beaupre, said to be the oldest seignory in Quebec, was granted in 1636 and promptly colonized. Thus we have almost a hun- dred years of French settlement and missionary activity prior to 1700, the approximate date at which, according to Mr. Good- rich, the Fameuse was brought to Vermont. This seems to allow ample time for a Canadian origin for the variety and for its wide distribution in Quebec, Ontario and the northern states. The early distribution of apples, either from Europe to Canada, or from place to place on this continent, was accom- plished chiefly, almost exclusively, by seeds. Some of the mis- sionaries knew the art of grafting, but there was small encour- agement to practice it. Erom these considerations, and others which cannot be fully argued here, the writer is firmly convinced that the Fameuse originated in Canada from seed brought from France. Variation. — Whether the first Fameuse was born in Europe .>r in America, it is perfectly certain that there have been many rebirths of the variety. One of the striking things about this type is its strong tendency to reproduce itself from seed. This 8o statf: poMOi^oGiCAL socie:ty. has been taken advantage of, even within the last fifty, years, and ''Fameuse" apples have been grown from seed by the hundred and planted into orchards. This practice prevailed largely in Quebec, in neighborhoods where nurseries were scarce and grafted nursery trees expensive or unknown. We may conclude therefore, that the modern Fameuse apples are most certainly not all from the same original stock. The conspicuous variations among them are thus to be accounted for, a"t least in part. It is a comj.Tion saying- that there are *'two kinds of Fameuse." It would probably be more nearly the strict truth to say that there are two hundred kinds of Fameuse. Aside from the variations which have come about through seed propagation, there are others doubtless due to bud variation. On the same tree one may often find a branch bearing dark red apples and another bearing light striped fruit. It is a question just how closely the fruit grower can reproduce these various colors by grafting ; but the probability of their practical duplica- tion is so great that the best propagators habitually select Fameuse cions from trees which bear abundantly and regularly and which give the desirable large dark red fruit. The most conspicuous differences between Fameuse apples are in the coloring of the fruit ; and the commonest distinction is that between "the red variety" and "the striped variety." In Quebec, where Fameuse is best known, these are commonly known as Farneiise noire, (sometimes as Pameuse rouge) and Fameuse barre. One particular stock of Fameuse noire is propagated at Abbotsford, Que., and in other neighboring townships. Other varieties of the same type. — Seedlings of Fameuse, how- ever, often show so much departure from the characters of the common Fameuse as to be readily recognized as something dif- ferent. Such seedlings are generally accepted as new varieties, and, in cases where they show conspicuous merit, they are sepa- rately propagated by grafting, and eventually receive special names of their own. In this way originated Mcintosh, Shia- wassee, and the other varieties named and described below. Besides the varieties of the Fameuse group named and described herewith, there have been many other seedlings which have had more or less of local reputation, and w(hich are men- tioned from time to time in pomological literature. St. Hilaire, STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 8l or Cahane du Chien, originated at St. Hilaire, Que., and is fig- ured and described by Downing. So far as I can learn from careful inquiry in the neighborhood of its nativity, it is not now propagated. Giieule noire was another Fameuse seedUng orig- inating at St. Hilaire about fifty years ago, but which appears now to have been lost. It is described as "larger than Fameuse, and .very deeply colored."* ''Sweet Fameuse No. i, of St. Hilaire" is mentioned in the same reports. Elzear is another of the unpropagated Fameuse seedlings. f In 1883 a committee of the Montreal horticultural society made a search through the province for seedling apples of merit. A considerable number wfere collected, exhibited before the society, and described. J None was named at the time, however. Other varieties which m.ay belong with this type, but which I have not had the opportunity to examine, are as follows : Bril- liant, of Mr. C. G. Patten, Charles City, Iowa ; and Bloom, of Mr. E. W. Merritt, Houlton, Me. Certain other varieties, said to be seedlings of Fameuse, have been examined and discarded from the group. Finally it should be said that a somewhat liberal policy has been followed in admitting varieties to this group, particularly in the case of Canada Baldwin. This apple differs considerably from the ideal type in points which may easily be considered generically essential, 3'et it seems to me to be nearly enough like Fameuse to have been sprung from it, and to have enough of the Fameuse characters to make them classifiable with this type. Scott, or Scott's Winter, is doubtfully excluded. The fruit from different sources, recently examined, indicates its close affinity with Fameuse ; but there is some doubt about the authenticity of these sp-^cimens. The St. Lawrence type. — St. Lawrence is thought to be a seed- ling of Fameuse. One may easily believe that it is. It is enough like Fameuse to be of that parentage, but its characters are sufficiently different so that one would hardly think of asso- ciating the two for purposes of classification. St. Lawrence, therefore, presents a type separate from Fameuse (in the natural historv sense), but closelv related thereto. Winter St. Law- * Montreal Hort. Soc. Rpt. 12, p. 90 (1886). tSee Mont. Hort. goc. Rpt. 13, p. 66 (1887). I See Mont. Hort. Soc. Rpt. 9, p. 121-123 (1883). S2 STAT?: POJMOI.OGICAI, S0CIE:TY. rence is plainly of the St. Lawrence type. Burlington, or Bur- lington Pippin, thought to have originated at Burlington, Vt., seems to me to belong to the St. Lawrence type. Mr. W. A. Taylor suggests that perhaps the variety Mook, propagated by Mr. A. B. Greenlee, New Lebanon, Pa., is of this type. The Jonathan type seems also to be somewhat closely related to the Fameuse. Pojiiological status. — The Fam.euse presents an important commercial type. Geographically it is central at the island of Montreal, where, it is often said — by Montreal people — that the best Fameuse in the world are grown. In Vermont we think that Isle LaMotte can raise the best Fameuse ever seen. Throughout the valley of the St. Lawrence, from Valleyfield almost to the city of Quebec, this is unquestionably the predom- inating market apple. In the neighboring regions of Ontario, Northern New York and New England, it is one of the first market apples, and second only to such sorts as Northern Spy, Rhode Island Greening and Baldwin where these latter can be successfully grown. Moreover, such varieties as Mcintosh, Shiawassee and Scarlet Pippin promise to extend the geograph- ical and commercial range of the Fameuse type into many sec- tions where Fameuse itself has not take conspicuous lead. The pomological characteristics of the type in general are finely colored fruit, with rather tender skin and flesh, the latter extremely white and usually strongly marked with red, very much subject to scab, ripening in late fall and early winter. The trees are usually fine, clean, rather spreading growers, come into fruitage early, and bear heavily and regularly. Crops are secured usually in alternate years, but this is simply because the trees are allov/ed to overbear in years of plenty, Proper thin- ning of the fruit, combined with proper feeding, will make an annual bearer of almost any tree of Fameuse or other varieties of this group. TII. DESCRIPTIONS AND NOTES OF VARIETIES. The following varieties have been critically examined and are thought to conform closely enough to the Fameuse type to be properly admitted to this bulletin. The descriptions are all orig- inal, and are made from the specimens. These descriptions have been collecting in the station files for several years, and we have STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIKTY. 83 numerous descriptions of most varieties, taken from specimens from various sources, but mostly from Vermont, Quebec and Ontario. Bissing This variety I know only from specimens from Mr. Wm. Stammer, South Osborne, Wis., and from notes from the Divi- sion of pomology, U. S. Department of agriculture, the latter notes being made from specimens from the same source. The variety does not seem to be in propagation, and the description is therefore omitted. The color and aroma seem to place it with the Fameuse type, though the color and firmness of flesh are not characteristic of this group. Canada Baldzvin Fruit oblate, size medium, cavity deep, flaring, stem long slen- der, basin medmm deep, smooth, calyx medium, closed, color dull, dark red, striped and washed over light greenish yellow ground, dots several, white, bloom moderately heavy, skin tough, flesh white with much red, tender, core medium, flavor subacid with Fameuse aroma, juicy, quality good, season December- January, tree thrifty and hardy, bearing in alternate years under ordinary treatment. Described from specimens grown by Mr. Wm. Craig, jr., Abbotsford, Que. Originated in the orchard of Mr. Alexis Dery, St. Hilaire, Que., and thought to have come from seed of the New England Pomme de fer. This theory of its parentage may be regarded as extremely doubtful. • Fameuse (Synonyms Snozv, Ponune de Neige, Sanguineus, Chimney, Snow Chimney) Fruit round, slightly oblate, sometimes very slightly conic, size small to medium, cavity medium deep, rounded, stem medium long, slender, basin shallow, rather abrupt, even, calyx medium, closed, color a peculiar red, bright, sometimes nearly covering, sometimes only striped over a greenish yellow ground, dots minute, bloom thin, skin thin and tender, flesh very white, often marked with red, soft, juicy, core small, /closed, flavor sprightly subacid, quality good to very good, season November 1st to December ist, but will keep later under favorable circum- stances, tree a thrifty, spreading, round-topped grower, coming early into bearing and yielding heavy crops i'n alternate years. 6 84 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Requires high culture, manuring, thinning and spraying to make the best fruit. Fameuse, Green Fruit irregular round oblate, size medium, cavity rather deep, flaring, stem long slender, basin medium deep, abrupt, calyx medium large, color green with a pinkish crimson blush, much like Louise, dots several, inconspicuous, bloom moderate, skin tender, flesh white, tender, crisp, core medium size, flavor sub- acid, quality same as Fameuse, season October-November, tree much like Fameuse, of which it is evidently a seedling. Came up in the grounds of Mr. R. W. Shepherd, Como, Que. It does not seem to have any advantage over Fameuse, and as its color is much less attractive, it will hardly become popular. Mr. Shep- herd has ceased to propagate it. rameuse Noire Fruit very regular, nearly spherical, slightly oblate, size medium, cavity medium, even, stem medium short, basin medium deep, regular, calyx small, half-open, color dark, almost dull red, washed and splashed over a dull yellow, almost completely cover- ing it, dots several, irregularly scattered, not conspicuous, bloom medium, skin rather tender, flesh white, crisp, juicy, red mark- mgs very faint, core medium, closed, flavor mild, sweetish sub- acid, quality good to my taste, better than Fameuse, season, same as Fameuse or later. Described from specimens grown by N. C. Fisk, Abbotsford, Que. Fameuse Sucre Fruit strongly oblate, size small to medium, cavity broad and flaring, stem comparatively long and slender, basin medium, rounded, a trifle corrugated, calyx large, open, color solid dark rather dull red, dots several, small, inconspicuous, bloom mod- erate, skin thin and tender, flesh white, always very much marked with red, core medium closed, flavor mild, sweetish, quality fair to good, season October-November, tree not so spreading as Fameuse, more willowy and upright. Hardy as Fameuse. Described from specimens grown by J. M. Fisk, Abbots- ford, Que. As explained elsewhere, there are several varieties of sweet Fameuse known,, especially in the Province of Quebec. The one here described, however, is known as '7a zraie Fameuse sucre," the true sweet Fameuse. '^ STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 85 La Victoire Fruit strongly oblate, slightly conic, smooth and regular, size large, cavity medium deep broad, stem short and stout, basin deep, abrupt, regular, calyx small, closed, color light crimson red, washed and striped, nearly covering a greenish ground, dots many, conspicuous, white, bloom considerable, skin tough, flesh white with red streaks, aromatic, core rather large, closed, flavor slightly subacid, quality good, much like Mcintosh, season December or later. Described from specimens from W. T. Macoun, Ottawa, Out. The fruit has distinctly the peculiar aroma and flavor of Mcintosh, with the same m.arkings in the flesh. The flesh is firm and seems to be of better keeping quality than Fameuse. Form, size and color do not conform to the Fameuse type. Louise (Synonym Princess Louise) Fruit round, oblate, irreg-ular, size medium, about like Fameuse, cavity rather shallow, broad, sloping, stem medium long, slender, basin regular medium deep, calyx half-open, color greenish yellov/, with a conspicuous pinkish crimson blush, dots several, crimson, bloom thin, skin tender, flesh white, crisp, juicy, aromatic, core medium large, open, flavor sprightly subacid, quality good to very good, season November-December. -'Flesh resembles Fameuse in color, without the red streaks; it is aro- matic, but with a slightly different aroma, and the flavor is easily distinguishable from that of Fameuse. The color is distinctly inferior to Fameuse. Described from specimens from Central experimental farmi. Ottawa, Ont. Originated near Grimsby, Ont., on the farm of Mr. L. Wool- verton, probably from seed of Fameuse. It was first exhibited at the winter meeting of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association in 1879. The first trees distributed through the nurseries were badly mixed with Mcintosh, so that an impression has been given in some quarters that the two varieties are the same. They are very distinct, however. Mcintosh (Synonym Mcintosh Red) Fruit round oblate, slightly irregular, size medium large, cavity variable, sloping, nearly regular, stem usually short, basin medium deep, rather abrupt, calyx small, tightly closed, color nearly even dark rich wine red, shading to light pinkish crimson S6 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. in the shade, dots many, bloom heavy and conspicuous, skin tough, flesh snow-white with crimson shadings, core medium,, flavor subacid, aromatic, quality good, about like Fameuse,. season December-January. A fine thrifty spreading grower. Comes into bearing early, but not so early as Fameuse. Not quite so prolific as Fameuse, but fruitful enough. Said to be less susceptible to the attacks of the scab fungus, but requires careful spraymg, nevertheless, to get good fruit. This is really one of the best apples, either for market or home use, for planting in Vermont, especially in the northern counties. This variety originated on the Mcintosh homestead in Matilda township, Ontario. It was first propagated and distributed about thirty years ago by Mr. Allan Mcintosh, whose father discovered the original tree when clearing away some second growth timber on the farm, then new.* Scmiet Pippin (Synonym Leed's Bmuty) Fruit oblate, regular, size medium, cavity medium, spreading,, stem medium short, basin shallow, nearly regular, calyx medium, closed, color light yellow, heavily washed and striped with bright crimson, beautiful, dots smiall, inconspicuous, bloom thin, waxy^ skin thin, flesh v;hite, slightly marked with pink, tender, juicy, core small, flavor mild subacid, rather flat, quality fair, season November-December, tree a strong upright grower, thrifty and hardy. Originated a? a chance seedling with Mr. Harold Jones, Maitland, Ont. This is an attractive fruit and seems to be worthy of propa- gation. Shiazvassee (Synonym Shiazvassce Beauty) Fruit strongly oblate, nearly regular, large, cavity deep, broad, flaring, slightly green-russet, stem medium long, slender, basin deep, abrupt, broad, slightly leather cracked, calyx medium, closed, color pinkish red, indistinctly striped and heavily over- washed with dark brilliant crimson, dots several, large, bloom thin, skin rather tender, about like Fameuse, flesh like Fameuse in all respects, core medium, half open, flavor sprightly sub-acid, quality good to very good, season December, tree a strong, thrifty, rather upright grower, coming into bearing early. See Can. Hort. 23, p. 24 (1900). STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 8/ This is one of the best varieties of the Fameuse group, and deserves much more general planting. Mr. W. T. Macoun, horticulturist of the Central experimental farm, Ottawa, Ont., praises it as follows : *'It is one of the most promising apples for family use. It is very much like the Fameuse, but larger, and the color is better with us at Ottawa, and the tree seems hardier, and altogether I think it one of the most promising apples we have. It is a heavy bearer, but bears ever}^ other year. We have them up to the middle of January." Szveet Fameuse No. 2 of St. Hilaire Fruit oblate, size medium to large, cavity rather broad, deep, stem usually short, stout, basin moderate, slightly ribbed, calyx variable, sometimes open, color rich bright red washed and striped over light yellow, dots few, inconspicuous, bloom mod- erate, skin thin, tough, flesh white with much red, rather soft, juicy, core medium, slightly open, flavor mild, sweet, rich, quality good to very good, season last of October to first of December, tree thrifty, upright, spreadmg, prolific, hardy. Described from specimens grown by Mr. Henry Mjarshall, Abbotsford, Que. This is a beautiful apple, and the best in quality of the sweet Fameuse seedlings. It seems to be well worth propagation, though it has had only a local distribution thus far. It ought to be honored wnth a separate and distinctive name. The name here used is taken from Montreal Horticultural Society Report 12, p. 96. (1886). STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. ORCHARD CULTIVATION. If cause of partial or entire fruit failure is sought, after the orchardist has fulfilled his part, it may confidently be expected to result from one of two interfering conditions. Either the fruit buds or growing fruit have been injured by untimely, frosty or sufficient moisture has been lacking at some time during the growing season. Loss or damage from the latter cause is now quite as common here in the East as in the arid or semi-arid fruit-growing districts of the far West. There they have become fully convinced that no fruit need be expected without an adequate and continuous supply of moisture, either by con- serving that falling during the wet season or artificially supplied^ or by both methods combined. Here it will be presupposed that the orchardist has faithfully done his part in fertilizing, pruning,, insect protection and, if need exist, in draining, and at June first has a fair setting of fruit. Up to that time, in the East and mid- dle West, there is but little liability of drouth. It is the period from that date till harvest that is the most critical for the fruit- grower and which annually keeps the statisticians guessing as ta the outcome. Ripe fruit contains from 85 to 90 per cent of water. When wie consider this fact in relation to another, that the leaves of a tree are constantly exhaling moisture into the air at the rate of hundreds of tons to each acre of large and thrifty fruit trees throughout the summer season, it becomes at once apparent how necessary it is that no moisture in orchard or vineyard should go to waste. It also becomes plain why fruit often drops in crop- ruining quantities even when a drouth is of but short duration when sufficient cultivation has not been given to conserve the moisture. The tree will obey the law of self-preservation by sacrificing its fruit rather than its life. Where special attention has not been given to moisture-con- servation by cultivation, it is not generally understood how abso- lute a protection against evaporation of soil moisture is afforded by a dust mulch. A convincing and practical illustration of its e^ticacy was witnessed last season in a garden potato patch, which, after deep plowing and thorough preparatory tillage, was given conscientious stirring and cultivation from once to three STATK POMOLOGTCAL SOCIETY. 89 times weekly. The desideratum being to allow no crust to form favorable to moisture dispersion, this was continued throughout the growth of the crop. Although the season was unusually dry, and the soil such as to be easily afifected by drouth, the potatoes yielded a magnificent crop, both in size and quality. At all times during the period named moist earth could be found within two or three inches of the surface, while a half dozen feet away, on either side, where no cultivation was practiced, the soil was desti- tute of moisture for at least eighteen inches below the surface. Later in the season the same fact was emphasized when the writer had an opportunity to witness orchard cultivation in the far West, notably in California. There were observed tree- breakmg crops of splendid fruit just adjoining others of the same age, variety, and otherwise equally as well cared for except in the cultivation given, the latter showing only partial crops of inferior, shriveled fruit, all the way down to absolute crop fail- ures in all cases correspondirig closely to the cultivation and arti- ficial moisture supplied. The best results were evident in that climate of constant sunshine and moisture-less atmosphere, where a dust mulch of five or six inches was provided. It was there also made evident that those depending on irrigation, with- out much regard to cultivation, were often no better off than the orchards unirrigated. The uninterrupted supply of moisture is an absolute necessity for the best fruit results. Just as soon as the supoly fails, the fruit begins a premature ripening which is fatal to its perfect future development, even should its stem remain unparted from the parent tree. The point I v/ould especially emphasize is that no one with an orchard of bearing age, w^hich at its best is capable of realizing its owner, in East or West, from $50 to $100 per acre, net, when properly handled, can afford to convert the moisture rightly belonging to the fruit into grass or other crops, or what is equally bad for the fruit, allow the moisture to escape into the air through the medium of a hard, uncultivated soil crust. — B. F. W. Thorpe, in Country Gentleman. go STATE POMOLOCICAL SOCIETY. SPRAYING IN BLOSSOM. Mr. Beach made an interesting report to the Western New York Horticultural Society on the value or damage of spraying trees in bloom. The New York experiments agree with all careful observa- tions everywhere in the conclusion that it is worse than useless to spray trees when in blossom. There are some circumstances which may partially excuse such a practice; but unless very extraordinary conditions prevail, such spraying does no partic- ular good, and it usually does a great deal of harm. It is a direct damage to the fruit-grower, without any reference to its effect on the bees, and it is apt to be disastrous to the bees. Some fruit-grcwers are still in doubt about the value of bees in their business ; but in our estimation they are indispensable. ORCHARD CROPS. "Crops ni the Orchard" was the title of a paper read by W. R. Wilkinson who pronounced apples the first and best orchard crop, then hogs. As he had made a success of both, and is now more entliusiastic than ever, despite the loss of nearly his whole crop of apples by bitter rot, all were anxious to learn his methods. He grovvs and markets his hogs without the use of any corn whatever, growing such crops as supply an all-the-year-round ration to hogs, while they assist materially in the growth of the orchard. He keeps his orchard in plats of twenty to thirty acres in a plat, sows some of these witli red clover for hogs, but would not grow clover more than two years in succession on the same ground. He sows Dwarf Essex rape early in spring, either in drills or broadcast, and finds hogs do better on it than on clover. This orrows well in fall also, and stands the cold about like tur- nips. It does not add any fertility to the soil, but this is balanced by the hogs, which harvest their own feed. He sows winter barley, and finds it a good crop to turn hogs in and to harvest for themselves. Of course, grow crops to suit the condition of STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 9I growth of trees Young trees should be cultivated from April till September. Too much cultivation of bearing trees causes too much wood growth. He has now nearly 27,000 trees, and does not fear that we will ever produce too many good apples. — Report of meeting of Missouri Horticnltiiral Society. RENOVATE THE OLD ORCHARD. There are many old and some middle-aged orchards, once profitable, but now sources of loss. At the same time, there are men in this state who are investing labor and capital in renovat- ing such orchards, and find it a paying business. Will it not pay some of us who have land occupied by neglected and unpro- ductive apple trees to give them another and a fair chance ? Let me outline a course of treatment for such trees for this season. 1. The trees need pruning. This should be done at once. First take out all the dead, diseased and interfering branches ; remove all suckers and sprouts from the bases and trunks of the trees. Second, scrape off the roughest of the old bark with an old hoe or other suitable tool, being careful not to injure or expose the live parts beneath. 2. The trees need spraying. The first spray should be given before the buds burst. Use Bordeaux mixture. Consult spray •calendar. Continue the spraying as directed. 3. The trees need tillage. The sod should be thoroughly pulverized. This may be accomplished, if the sod is not tough, by using a springtooth harrow or disc harrow. If sod is tough and dense, turn it over with a plow and work down fine with a harrow. Plow away from trees and as shallow as possible near them. Till at least once in ten days up to the middle of July. 4. The trees need fertilizing. Fertilizers may be furnished through green manures. During the last half of July, harrow and drill cow peas (Whippoorwill or Blackeye) at the rate of one and a half bushels per acre. If drilling is impracticable, broadcast, rolling the ground afterwards. The interest in the experiment may be increased by using dift'erent cover-crops; for instance, cow peas on one part, Canada peas on another, and crimson clover on a third. 92 stath: pomological society. 5. Record your obserr'afions. In order to obtain an accurate idea of the value of the experiment, a profit-and-loss account should be kept. Charge the field with cost of labor and mate- rials used, and credit it with the returns. An immediate response in the way of a crop of fruit should not be expected — this should come the second year — but the trees will, in the meantime, take on renewed vigor and appearance of health. — John Craig, Cor- nell University. FRUIT SPECIALISTS. Prof. Green of Minnesota is quoted as saying that the time is coming when fruit will be grown only by specialists. He saysi — or it is said that he says — that the ordinary man is too careless and shiftless and ineffectual in his treatment of fruit trees. He cannot compete with the man who makes a specialty of fruit- growing, and who cares for his orchards in the best ways known. Prof. Green is perfectly safe in such a prediction. In fact he might pass it for a statement of present fact and not be so very far wrong. There are still a good many farmers who grow fruit as a ''side line'' without any particular care for the best methods ; but any one may observe that they cut a wonderfully small figure in the markets. A good illustration of the situation came to notice last fall. In one neighborhood the apple buyers were thick and prices were good — $1.50 to $3 a barrel. In another neighborhood in the same state, apples were rotting on the ground by the hundreds of bushels, and prices ranged from 75 cents a barrel down to nothing at all, with the barrel thrown in. The difference was merely that the former neighborhood had a reputation for apples based on the careful work of many pro- fessional apple gro\vers ; Avhile the other neighborhood, had grown its apples "on the side." — Country Gentleman^ state: POAIOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 93 HORTICULTURAL MEETINGS. The various state horticultural meetings are just beginning to come off, and it is very easy to see who are the leading horti- culturists in each state. They are the men who go to the meet- ings and take part. Is there a man anywhere who does not want to be a leading horticulturist in his state? Let him stay away from the meetings of his state society. It is odd though, w^hen it is so apparent that the societies are composed almost exclusively of leading men, that more men do not aspire to join the ranks of the successful and influential ones. The fact is, it just about amounts to this, that a man who has not the ambition and the enterprise to attend tlie meetings of his state horti- cultural society, hasn't the qualities to make him a success in the practice of horticulture. POLLINATION IN ORCHARDS. VARIOUS REASONS WHY FLOWERS DO NOT SET. All observing fruit-growers have seen trees which blossom full but do not set a fair am.ount of fruit ; many have found their orchards unprofitable for this reason. It is a practical point to know the causes of this loss and the best way to prevent it. In the first place, but a small percentage of the blossoms set fruit anyway, even in the most favorable seasons and with the most productive varieties. In blossoming time a Japanese plum tree is a mass of white, carrying scores of flow^ers on a single branch ; yet scarcely a dozen fruits may set on that twig, and some qf those must be removed or the tree will overbear. This normal failure in the setting of fruit blossoms may be due to a number of causes ; as poorly nourished fruit-buds, lack of pollination, or winter injury to the pistils which cannot be seen with the eye alone. It is usually a distinct advantage to the fruit-grower, as it saves thinning. If all plum blossoms set fruit, the expense of thinning would be multiplied many times. Only when the failure of fruit blossoms to set becomes general, does the fruit-grower feel the loss and call for an explanation. 94 STATK POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Young trees generally set little or no fruit the first few years, when they are growing fast, although they may blossom full. With most varieties this earh^ dropping of the blossoms occurs only two or three seasons, but Northern Spy and a few other varieties of apples are often unfruitful ten to thirteen years from this cause. Older trees may show^ the same results if stimulated too highly with nitrogenous fertilizers. The logical remedy is to check this excessive grovv'th of wood by withholding nitrogen or by putting the orchard into sod for a few years. If the weather is warm and wet in early spring, conditions are favorable for the growth of fungi and it sometimes happens that fruit blossoms are "blasted" by the early growth of these para- sites. Apple and pear scab may kill the blossoms, but more often it kills the young fruits soon after they are set. Wherever spraying is practiced faithfully, the killing of fruit blossoms by fungi need not occur, especially if one thorough application is made to the trees before the buds open. The unfruitfulness which often follows a rain during the blooming season is sometimes confused with self-sterility. A careful fruit-growler watches the weather anxiously when his trees are in blossom, for he knows this is the most critical period in the growth of the crop. Like winter injury to fruit buds, there is no way of preventing this loss except to secure a more favorable location, since it is not in man's power to prevent rain, however much he may be able to induce it by bombarding the sky. 'Nevertheless, it is interesting to know in what way rain decreases the setting of fruit. Dr3dng winds during the blossoming season are not common in the East but are often serious in some parts of the West. Luther Burbank, one of our best observers and experimenters in orchard pollination, says a dry wind sometimes causes a short fruit crop in some parts of California by drying up the juices of the stigma so that the pollen cannot germinate. SUMMARY. Scarcely one fruit blossom in ten sets fruit, even in the most favorable seasons and with the most productive varieties. Trees making a very vigorous growth may drop their blos- soms. STATE POMOLOGICAT, SOCIETY. 95 Brown rot, apple or pear scab, and pear blight may kill the blossoms. Frost injury to blossoms is of all degrees. Even flowers which appear to be uninjured may be so weakened that they cannot set fruit. Rain during the blooming season prevents the setting of fruit chiefly by destroymg the vitality of the pollen, injuring the stigma, or by preventing fertilization because of the low tempera- ture. The washing of pollen from the anthers seldom causes serious loss. Insects are probably more important than wind for carrying pollen from tree to tree. — Extracts from bulletin of Cornell Uni- versity Bxperiment Station.