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TRANSACTIONS

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Maine State Pomological Society

FOR THE YEAR

1882.

Including the Proceedings of the Winter Meeting held at Watervllle,
January 30 and 31, 1883.

\ AUGUSTA:

PRINTED AT THE KENNEBEC JOURNAL OFFICE.

1883.

Ik II f • Q V V-: I i n, C' •••'' *-

CHAPa

CONTENTS

PAGE.

Act of Incorporation iv

B J La W3 V

List of Members vii

Secretary's Report 1

Premiums at Annual Exhibition 8

Proceedings of Winter Meeting 23

Address of tbe President 24

Hardy Winter Apples, by T. H. Hoskins 29

Nomenclature of Bussets 34

Report on Russian Fruits, by Charles Gibb 41

Report of Corresponding Secretary 49

On the raising of healthy and hardy Orchard Stock 54

Discussion on Varieties of Apples 63

Report of the Treasurer 67

Report of the Executive Committee 68

Election of Officers for 1883 69

Vegetable and Seed-growing 69

Old and New Methods of Drying Fruit 72

Premiums at Winter Meeting 83

What we Learn by Failure 86

In Memoriam — Joseph Taylor 95

The Apple, — Uses in Family, ways of preparing, preserving and serving it .... 98

Commercial Rose Growing 103

The Apple Maggot 105

Letters read at Winter Meeting 109

Index 117

ACT OF incorpoeatio:n^.

STATE OF MAINE.

In the Iear of Odr Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Setenty-Thrke.
An Act to Incorporate the Maine State Pomological vSociet^-.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in Legislature assembled, as
follows:

Section 1. Z. A. Gilbert, George W. Woodman, A. L. Simpson, George B. Sawyer,
•J. C. Weston, Charles Pope, Samuel Rolfe, James A. Varney, Albert Noyes, Rufus
Prince, J. C. Madigan, S. F. Perley, Hannibal Belcher, J. B. Phillips, Joseph Taylor,
Harvey Counce, John Currier, William Swett, Henry McLaughlin, Calvin Chamberlain,
Washington Gilbert, George 0. Weston, Hiram Chase, J. C. Talbot and S. L. Goodale,
their associates and successors, are hereby constituted a corporation for the promotion
of fruit culture, by the name of The Maine State Pomological Society.

Sec. 2. Said society shall have all the rights, privileges and powers conferred by
the laws of this State upon county and local agricultural societies, and shall bo subject
to all liabilities imposed by existing laws upon such societies, so far as the same are
applicable to the objects of this society; but the bounty to be paid by the State to
said society shall not exceed the sum of five hundred dollars in one year.

Sec. 3. Said society shall have power to elect such oflBcers, and adopt such by-laws
and regulations, not inconsistent with the laws of this State, as may be necessar}' to
carry into efi"ect the objects of the society.

Sec. 4. The first meeting of said society may be called by A. L Simpson, J. C.
Weston and Geo. B. Sawyer, by a notice signed by them, stating the time and place
of said meeting, to be published two weeks successively in the Maine Farmer, the last
publication to bo seven days at least before the time of said meeting.

Sec. 5. This act shall take effect when approved.

[Approved February 17, 1873.]

MAINE STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

By-Laws, as Amended January 29, 1874.

ARTICLE I. — Membership.

Section 1. Any person may become a member of this Society by signifying his
wish to do so and paying to the Treasurer the sum of one dollar.

Sec. 2. Any person may become a life member by paying the Treasurer the sum of
ten dollars; and the Treasurer's certificate thereof shall entitle such member, with his
wife and miuor children, to admission to all the exhibitions of the Society.

Skc. 3. Each member (excepting life members,) shall pa}' to the Treasurer an
annual fee of one dollar; and the Treasurer's certificate thereof shall entitle him to
admission to all the exhibitions of the Society for that year.

Sec. 4. Any member who shall neglect, for the term of two years, to pay his
annual assessment, shall cease to be a member of the Society; and the Treasurer shall
erase his name from the list of members. Any member may, at will, withdraw from
the Society on giving notice to the Treasurer, and paying the amount due from him
to the Society.

Sec. 5, Ten members shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE IL — Officers.

Section 1. The officers of the Society shall consist of a President, two Vice Presi-
dents, Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, and an Executive Committee,
consisting of three members exclusive of the President and Secretary, who shall be
members ex-officin, and one Trustee for each county in the State; all of whom shall be
elected by ballot at the annual meetings, and hold their respective offices during the
calendar year for which they shall be elected, and until their successors are elected.
In the event of a failure to elect the said officers, or any of them, at such meeting, an
election shall be held at the next meeting of the Society duly called and holden.

Sec. 2. All the officers shall perform the customary duties of their respective
offices, and such further duties as are herein specified or shall from time to time be
imposed upon them.

Sec. 3. The Secretary shall keep a true record of the proceedings of the Society
and of the Executive Committee, keep an alphabetical list of the members, and make
all reports required or authorized by law.

Sec. 4. The Corresponding Secretary snail conduct the correspondence of the
Society. lie shall open and maintain correspondence with other Pomological and
Horticultural Societies for the purpose of effecting an exchange of publications with
the same, for the permanent use of this Society; and shall present at each annual
meeting, a report, embracing a review of the proceedings of such Societies, and the
substance of all such matters therein as he shall deem to be of special interest to this
Society.

Vi MAINE STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Sec. 5. The Treasurer shall keep all moneys of the Society and disburse the same
only upon the written orders of the Executive Committee. He shall render his
accounts annually to the Executive Committee, and give such bond as said Committee
may require. He shall keep a record of the names of the members of the Society, and
shall from time to time transmit to the Secretary the names of all new members and
of such persons as have ceased to be members.

Sbc. 6. The Executive Committee shall have the general management and over-
sight of the affairs of the Society; transact its business, and appoint all standing
and special committees, when not otherwise provided for; examine the accounts of the
Treasurer, and make an annual report to the Society, of their doings and of the
financial affairs of the Society.

Sec. 7. The Trustees shall represent the Society and act as its agents in their
respective counties. They may receive applications for membership, and forward the
same, with the fees therefor, to the Treasurer, and shall promote the interest of the
Society in their respective counties.

Sec. 8. Whenever the oflBce of President shall become vacant, the Vice Presidents
shall succeed to his oflBce, in the order of seniority, for the remainder of the year; and
any vacancy occurring in any other oflBce may be filled by appointment by the
Executive Committee; the person so appointed holding the office for the remainder of
the year.

AKTICLE III.— Meetings.

Section 1. The Annual Meetings of the Society shall bo held at the place and
during the time of the Annual Autumn State Exhibition, and such notice thereof shall
be given as the Executive Committee shall direct. If, from any cause, the regular
Annual Meeting shall not be held as above provided, a special meeting shall bo held
at Augusta in the month of January next following.

Sec. 2. Special meetings may be called at any time by the Executive Committee;
of which meetings each member shall be notified, by a notice properly directed and
deposited in some post office at least ten days prior to the time of such meeting.

ARTICLE IV. -Funds.
The fees for life membership ^hall constitute a permanent fund, to be safely invested
by the Treasurer under the direction of the Executive Committee, and of which only
the interest shall be used for the disbursements of the Societv.

ARTICLE v.— Amendments.
These By-Laws, except Sec. 2 of Article 1, may be altered or amended at any
annual meeting of the Society, by the concurrence of two-thirds of the members
present; provided, however, that Article 4 shall not be so amended without notice given
and entered on record at the preceding Annual Meeting.

MAINE STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

vu

MEMBERS 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 Low, S. S Bangot

♦Atherton, H.N Hallowell McLaughlin, Henry Bangor

Atherton, W. P Hallowell Metcalf, M. J Monmouth

Atkins, Charles Q Bucksport Moore, William G Monmouth

Atwood, Fred Winterport

Bennoch, John E Orono

Burr, John Freeport

Carter, Otis L Etna

Chase, Henry M North Yarmouth

Chase, Martin V. B Augusta

Clark, Eliphalet Portland

Crafts, Moses Auburn

•Crosby, William C Bangor

Dana, Woodbury S Portland

DeRocher, Peter Waterville

Dirwanger, Joseph A Portland

Moor, F. A Waterville

Morton, Will. B Allen's Corner

*Noyes, Albert Bangor

Perley, Chas. I. . .Seward's, (Vassalboro')

Pope, Charles S Manchester

Pulsifer, D. W Poland

Richards, F. G Gardiner

Richards, John T '. Gardiner

Richardson, J. M Greene

Roak, George M Auburn

Robinson, H. A Foxcroft

Rolfe, Samuel Portland

Dyer, Milton Cape Elizabeth Sawyer, Andrew S Cape Elizabeth

Emerson, Albert Bangor Sawyer, George B Wiscasset

Farnsworth, B B Portland Shaw, Stillman W Minot

Frost, Oscar F Monmouth Simmons, H. J. A Waldoboro'

Gardiner, Robert H Gardiner Smith, Alfred Monmouth

Gilbert, Z. A East Turner Smith, Henry S Monmouth

Godfrey, John E Bangor Starrett, L. F Warren

Hanscom , John Saco Stetson, Isaiah Bangor

Harlow, S. C Bangor Stilphen, Asbury C Gardiner

♦Harris, N. C Auburn Strout, S. F West Falmouth

Harris, N. W Auburn

Hersey, T. C Portland

Hopkins, Miss S. M Gardiner

Hoxie, James S North Fairfield

Strattard, Mrs. A. B Monroe

Sweetser, S. R Cumberland Centre

♦Taylor, Joseph Belgrade

Thomas, William W. Jr Portland

Ingalls, Henry Wiscasset Tilton, William S Chelsea

Jewett, George Portland True, Davis P Leeds Centre

Johnson, Isaac A Auburn Varney, James A Oregon

Jordan, Francis C Brunswick Vickery, James Portland

Low, Elijah Bangor Vickery, John Auburn

* Deceased.

Vlll

MAINE STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Life Members — Concluded.

Wade, Patrick Portland Whitney, Edward K Harrison

* Weston, James C Bangor Woodman, George W Portland

Wharflf, Charles S Gardiner

Animal Members, 1882.

Blossom, L H Turner Centre Lennan, L., (1883) Gardiner

Blanchard, Chas. H. . .Cumberland Centre Merrill, T. M., (1883). . .West Gloucester

Blanchard, Wesley Lewistou Merrill, Mrs. J. H Auburn

Briggs, D. J South Turner *Milliken, Joseph L Saoo

Calef, George F Saco

Carey, H. S Topsham

Chipman, A. B West Gloucester

Clark, Edward Lewistou

Dennett, J. Q Biddeford

Dill, Seward Phillips

Dumont, William D West Gloucester

Dunham, W. W North Paris

Emmons, Willis F , Saoo

Fulton, J. M Bowdoinham

Haskell, Miss Lizzie West Gloucester

Hobson, Joseph W Saoo

Hooper, D. 0. S Biddeford

Jellerson, C. T Lewistou

Lapham, Wm. B., (1883) Augusta

Leavitt, E. N Auburn

Morse, Miss Nellie Auburn

Mountfort, Otis A ....Cumberland Centre

Nelson, E. N Minot

Nowell, Frank E., (1883) Fairfield

Paine, Albert W Bangor

Plaisted, Richard C Gardiner

Prentiss, A . G Saco

Remick, Benjamin Saoo

Stanley, Charles Winthrop

Staples. E. W Biddeford

Staples, G. K Temple

Towle, J. J South Carthage

Wharff, William R Gardiner

Whitmore, Thos. P., (1883). .Bowdoinham
Witham, N. D Biddeford

♦Deceased.

To the Secretary of the Maine Board of Agriculture :

I have the honor to submit herewith, as required bj' law, a report
of the transactions of the Maine State Pomological Society', for the
j-ear 1882. It contains the details of the annual exhibition, the
papers read at the winter meeting, with a condensed report of the
discussions on the same, and a statement of so much of the "pro-
ceedings" of the Society as appear to be of public interest ; together
with such notes and observations of my own as seem to be required.
In order to avoid misleading an}' reader, it is proper to say that
the Societ}' assumes no responsibility for the correctness of any
theory advanced or of any statement of fact or opinion made in the
papers and discussions reported ; but onl}- undertakes to report the
same faithfully, omitting in the discussions, as far as practicable^
all repetitions, irrelevant and unimportant matters.

GEO. B. SAWYER, Secretary,

MAINE STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Tran?<actioiis for 1883.

The period covered by this report constitutes the tenth year of
the Society's existence. The results which have thus far been
accomplished have demonstrated the public utility of such an organ-
ization. But to establish and develoj) a comprehensive pomological
system, which shall produce tangible results in the bulk and value
of our orchard products, is a work which could only be begun in so
short a period ; it requires ample means and the continuous attention
of competent laborers.

At no previous time in the history of the State has there been so
much attention given to the planting of new orchards, or to the
intelligent care of those previousl}- planted, so earnest and general
discussion of the methods of horticultural practice, nor so much
sound judgment in the application of principles and practices to the
production of definite results as at the present time. Without
undervaluing the success of the numerous persons who, years ago.
established extensive and profitable orchards in various parts of the
State, or the efforts of those who by their writings and i)ublic
addresses have, during the last half century, earnecl the distinction
of pioncei-s in the work, it is safe to say that at the time of the
formation of this Society the imi)roved ail of horticulture, as under-
stood and practiced at the i)resent time, had not taken any consider-
able hold of the masses of the people. The adaptability of the gri'al
central and southern porti(jns of our State to successful fruit cultui<'
had Iteen hilly demonstrated ; with respect to the north'.'rn [)ortioii il
was an open (piestion, (and not yet fully settled.)

The Societ}' found people everywheri' I)uyiug and [)lanting fruit
trees, but in a majority of cases with no conception of the adaptation

4 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

of varieties to particular localities or specific purposes. They had
no guide but their own fancy or the caprice of the dealer of whom
they bought. Where ti-ees of the old standard sorts had failed for
the want of |)roper care, a remedy had been sought in the introduc-
tion of some new kind of which marvelous accounts were given.
Another evil existing at that time was the confusion in regard to the
names of fruits. As the result of all this there were growing in the
State an innimieral)le list of varieties, known and unknown, and
many of them woithless or not adapted to the locality or the markets.
As a single illustration, there had been planted a great number of
trees under the indefinite name of "golden russet," of most of which
the fruit was inferior in size and quality. Many farmers had been
induced to plant large numbers of ci-ab apple trees, under the belief
that there was in them some special source of profit. Men might
learn by their own failures, but the process was slow and expensive ;
and they seldom learned much from the experience of others.

In no department of agricultural labor was there such misapplica-
tion of time and mone\', or such need of an organization to give
direction to individual etfort and to develope the great possibilities
of our situation, as in that of fruit production.

The efibrts of the Society have been thus far lai'gely devoted to the
elimination of worthless and unprofitable varieties of fruit and the
correction of errors in nomenclatuie, and at no period has more rapid
progress been made in this respect than during the last year. At
the same time attention has been given to all the varied details of
the theory" and practice of horticulture, so far as the means at hand
would allow. Much has been accomplished, but more remains to
be done. While the fundamental principles of fruit culture are the
same in all times and places, their adaptation to specific and profit-
able results is governed mainly bj- local conditions. All the forces
and instrumentalities of nature — the varying conditions of climate,
temperature, altitude, atmospheric humidity, rainfall, snow and frost,
the influences of animal and insect life, parasitic and fungoid growths,
as well as the facilities for transportation and competition in our
own and other markets, are to be weighed and considered. Hence
ever\' considerable section of the countr\' needs a S3'stem of its own,
differing in some respects from any other. The extent and diversit}'
of the territory of our own State calls for two distinct pomological
S3'steras. neither of which will correspond with- that of any other
section. To develop these systems and make them a part of the

STATE PO.MOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 5

coiiimoii iiik'lligL'iiee of the people, to banish igiioriiiice. egotism and
empiricism, to make ourselves self-reliant and self-supporting in
respect to everything in tree or fruit which needs to be purchased,
and to oi)en the markets of the world tt) our productions (which
shall be inferior to none), are among the objects of this Society.

Ten anmial exhibitions and eight winter meetings have been held
by the Society, and the interest has been fully niaintaiued to the
present time.

The Si: a son of 1882

was exceptional in its climatic conditions. The spring was cold
and backw'ard, and retarded the blossoming of fruit trees, so that
no material damage was done b}- the spring frosts. A drouth of
nnusual severity prevailed over nearly the whole State during the
months of July and August. A violent gale on the 14th of Septem-
ber, followed by another on the 19th, w^ith high winds from various
quarters during the intervening time, blew ott" fulW one-half of
the fruit then upon the trees ; but the quantity which remained,
particularly of apples, was sufficient, with the late growth which
resulted from this violent "thinning," and under the influence of
favorable autumn weather, to develop an abundant crop, of average
quality. The drouth of the summer, wdiile it diminished the size,
hastened the development of all the fruits. It gave us the largest
and best ripened vintage of out-door grapes ever known in the State ;
but, with other causes, gave a light crop of pears, which were below
the average in quality. Plums were abundant and of good quality,
but the heavy and continuous rains from the 21st to 24th of Septem-
ber, destroyed that part of the crop which had not been harvested,
and also injured, to a considerable extent, those pears and apples
which were about ripening at that time.

The Tenth Annual Exhuution

was held at Lewiston, on the 26th to the 2!)th days of September,
inclusive, and in connection witli the annual Fair of the State Agri-
cultural Society. The terms of the arrangement between the two
Societies were mutually advantageous, and were carried out in a
manner satisfactoiT to both — the great object being to mak(; the
most complete exhibition possible, with the least unnecessary ex-
pense.

f5 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

The savin;? to our Society of the expense of advertising and all the
detailed arrangements of a separate exhibition, and the advantage
to the public in being enabled to witness our exhibition in connection
with the varied attractions of the State Fair, are matters of great
moment. The only considerable disadvantage is the want of space
wliich results from massing at one time the products of so many
industiies, and this it is hoped will be remedied bv more ample
accommodations to be provided in the future.

The si)ace assigned to the Pomological Societj- was the upper hall
in the City Building, and it was filled to its utmost capacit}' ; and
some packages of fruit designed for exhibition remained unopened.
The exhibition by this Societv was confined stricth' to fruits, flowers
and plants. The number of entries was eight hundred and fort}',
of which .38 were of cut flowers, including collections and single
varieties: 37 of bouquets, wreaths, designs, &c., and 32 of green-
house and pot i)lants in collections and single specimens ; the re-
mainder with the exception of a few miscellaneous articles, being of
fruit. Of the latter there were about 1,250 plates, viz :

In collections of apples 570 plates.

Single varieties of apples . . 344 ••'•

Collections of pears 100 "

Single varieties of pears 7<S "

Gt rapes 150 "■

Plums 10 "

It will be seen that the entries were not as numerous, nor the
exhibition as extensive, as in some former 3'ears ; but considering
the unfavorable circumstances of the season, and the want of room
for more, the_y were satisfactory. The earh' ripening fruits as
preA'iously remarked, and the flowers, out ot doors, had been greatly
damaged by the boisterous weather of the preceding ten days ; the
winter fruit was not full}' developed, but was remarkably M'ell
colored and free from blemishes. There was a greater preponder-
ance of valuable and standard varieties, and fewer specimens of
unknown and inferior sorts, than heretofore. The exhibition of
pears was fairly creditable to the State ; that of grapes was prob-
ably the finest ever made, and the few specimens of plums shown
were very good. The flowers were bright and beautiful as ever, and
the greenhouse plants were very fine.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. J

The amount of premiums offered was SOTo.OO, and the amount
awarded $565.50, all of which has been paid.

Further details of the exhibition will appear by the subjoined list
of premiums offered and awarded, and of entries made.

The Annual Meeting of the Society

was held September 28th. pursuant to notice given, but was
adjourned to the time and place of the winter meeting, without the
transaction of an}- other than formal business.

The principal officers of the Society for the year 1882. were as
follows :

President — Hon. R. H. Gardiner, Gardiner.

Vice Presidents — Joseph Taylor, Belgrade ; Stiixman W.
Shaw, Minot.

Secretary and Treasurer — George B. Sawyer, Wiscasset.

Con'esponding Secretanj — Granville Fernald, Harrison.

Executive Committee — The President and Secretary, ex-officio;
Samuel Rolfe, Portland ; Henry McLaughlin, Bangor ; Charles
S. Pope, Manchester.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

SCHEDULE OF PREMIUMS OFFERED, ENTRIES MADE
AND PREMIUMS AWARDED.

[Note. — The names of persons to whom premiums were awarded are given first
under each specification, with the amount awarded, in ordinary type; and afterwards,
in smaller typo, the names of other competitors fur the same. When the name of a
person is repeated his place of residence is omitted.]

Class 1— APPLES.
First Division.

Special Regulations. "Entries for all premiums in this division
must consist of live specimens of each variety exhibited, and
(except Nos. 18 and 19) of at least twenty correctl}' named varie-
ties. Entries for premiums Nos. 18 and 19 must be separate and
distinct collections, not embracing any other collection or specimens,
and in awarding the premiums regard will be had both to the quality'
of the specimens and the value of the varieties exhibited.

Collection entered for premiums Nos. 2 to 17, may also be entered
for No. 1, but in any such case only one premium will be awarded
for one collection.

Seedlings and "native fruits" not named, ov standard varieties
"unknown" or incorrectlv named, will not be admitted in these
collections ; but all such specimens will go to the Committees on
" new fruits" or " nomenclature."

By "named varieties" is meant such as are named and described
in some standard work on Pomology, or have been named and
approved by some National or State Horticultural Societ3\

In adopting 20 as the number of varieties required in these col-
lections, (I to 17.) the Society does not intend to encourage the
multiplication of varieties : and the committee will be instructed, in
awarding the premiums, to have regard to quality and value rather
than to the number of varieties, and will be authorized to recommend
gratuities for meritorious collections embracing less than the number
of varieties required as above."

Premium No. 1. For the best general exhibition of apples,
grown by the exhibitor, in any part of the State. Miss L. L.
Taylor, Lakeside, (Belgrade,) first premium, $15.00; S. C. Har-
low, Bangor, second premium, $10.00 ; R. H. Gardiner, Gardiner,
third premium, $5.00.

2. For the best general exhibition of apples, grown by the
exhibitor, in Androscoggin county. J. M. Richardson, Greene,
$10 ; D. J. Briggs, South Turner, $8 ; N. W. Harris, Auburn, $5.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 9

3. For the same in Aroostook county. No entry.

4. For the same in Cumbedand county. 8. R. Sweetser, Cum-
berland Centre, $10.

5. For the same in Franl<lin county. G. K. Staples, Temple, Ss.

6. For the same in Hancock count}'. No entry.

7. For the same in Kennebec county. J. Pope & Son, INIanches-
ter, SIO; Perley & Perkins, Seward's. ( Vassal boro',) S8.

8. For the same in Knox county. No entry.

9. For the same in Lincoln county. H. J. A. Simmons. Waldo-
boro', SlO ; George B. Sawyer, Wiscasset, S8.

10. For the same in Oxford county. J. J. Towle, Dixfield, 810.
11. For the same in Penobscot county. J. E. Bennoch.

Orono, 810.

12. For the same in Piscataquis county. No entry.

13. For the same in Sagadahoc county. H. S. Carey, Topsham,
§10; James M. Fulton, Bowdoinham, $8.

14. For the same in Somerset count}". James S. Iloxie, Faii*-
field, SIO.

15. For the same in Waldo county. jVIrs. A. B. Strattard,
Monroe, $10.

16. For the same in Washington county. No entry.

17. For the same in York county. No entry.

18. For the best fiye named varieties of Autumn ap]:)les. S. K.
Sweetser, $3 ; H. J. A. Simmons, $2 ; J. F^. Bennoch, $1.

Miss L. L. Taylor. K. H. Gardinur, Alfred Smith, Monmouth; S. C. Harlow, D. P.
True, Leeds Centre.

19. For the best fiye named varieties of Winter ap[)les. S. C.
Harlow, $3 ; Alfred Smith, $2 ; D. P. True, $1.

L. L Tayior, H. .J. A. Simmons, K. II. Gardiner, H. S. Caroy, J. E. Bennoeh, N.
W. Harris, S. K. Sweetser.

20. For the best collection of apples for home nse, for the entire
3'ear, in the smallest number of varieties. S. R. Sweetser, $'> ;
D. P. True, $3 ; H. J. A. Simmons, S2.

J. E. Bennoch.

21. For the best collection of Crab Apples, not less than live
varieties. J. S. Hoxie, S2 ; S. C. Harlow, Si ; J. J. Towle, grataiti/,
50 c.

Perley & Perkins.

10 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Second Division.

"Entries for premiums in this division mast consist of from five
to ten specimens, according to size, of eacli variety exhibited, and
must be separate specimens from any exhibited in the first division."

22. For best single variety of antumn apples. S. R. Sweetser,
(Gravenstein,) $2; Miss L. L. Taylor, (Somerset,) Si-

Simmons, Briggs, Smith, Harlow, Perley & Perkins, True, Benuoch.

23. For the best single variety of winter apples. S. R. Sweetser,
(Northern Spy,) $2 ; S. C. Harlow, (King of Tompkins County,) $1.

Miss Taylor, Simmons, Briggs, True, Bennoch.

24. For the best dish of Alexander. J. E. Bennoch, $1 ; Miss
L. L. Taylor, 50 c.

C. A. Day, Turner; T. M. Merrill, West Gloucester; Harlow, Perley & Perkins;
Peter De Roeher, Waterville.

25. American Golden Russets. Entries were made in the class of
•' special exhibition of rnssets."

26. Baldwins. S. R. Sweetser, $1 ; Miss L. L. Taylor, 50 c.

Simmons, Richardson, Gardiner, Bennoch, Smith, Harlow, Perley & Perkins; John
Dunton, Lewiston; Edward Clark, Lewiston; A. B. Chipman & Son, West Gloucester;
Mrs. M. L. Bobbins, Winthrop; S. W. Shaw, Minot.

27. Benoni. S. R. Sweetser, $1 ; Mrs. A. B. Strattard, 50 c.

Bennoch, Gardiner.

28. Black Oxford. L. H. Blossom, Turner, $1 ; .J. M. Richard-
son, 50 c.

Mrs. Bobbins, Bennoch, Perley & Perkins.

29. Blue Pearraain. J. Pope & Son, $1 ; Miss L. L. Taylor, 50 c.

Simmons, Richardson, Gardiner, Bennoch, Smith; C. T. Jellerson, Lewiston.

30. Briggs' Auburn. Miss L. L. Taylor, $1.

31. Cole's Quince. Entr^- by J. E. Bennoch, but not found by
the committee.

32. Danvers ^Vinter Sweet. Perley & Perkins, $1 ; S. W. Shaw,
50 c.

Miss Taylor, True.

33. Dean. (Xine ounce.) Miss L. L. Taylor, $1 ; J. Pope & Son,
50 c.

Bennoch, Towle.

34. Duchess of Oldenburgh. S. R. Sweetser, $1 ; S. C. Harlow,
50 c.

Simmons, Dunton, Bennoch, Harris, Hoxie, Towle, True, Mrs. Strattard, Sawyer;
Nelson S. Albee, Dennysville; I. T. Waterman, Auburn.

35. Early Harvest. Mrs. A. B. Strattard, $1 ; H. J. A. Simmons,
50 c.

Harlow.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

11

36. Earl}- Strawberry. Entries were made In' IVIiss Taylor and
Hannah Davis, West Gloucester, but the committee reported tliat
they were not true to name.

37. English Russet. {Poughkeepsie Russet.) Pantries b}- Sim-
mons, Smith, Perle}- «fe Perkins, and De Rocher, but no premiums
awarded.

38. Fall Harvey. iNIiss L. L. Taylor, 81 : C. A. Day. .')Q c.

Richardson, Gardiner, Bennoch, True.

30. Fameuse. Peter De Rocher, $1 ; Alfred Smith, 50 c.

Simmons, Clark, Gardiner, Bennoch, Harris, Mrs. Strattard.

40. Franklin Sweet. Perley & Perkins, $1 ; Alfred Smith, 50 c.

Richardson, .Miss Taylor.

41. Garden Royal. No entrj-.

42. Golden Russet. [English Golden Russet.) Entry by Perle}-
& Perkins, l)ut no premium awarded.

43. Gravenstein. S. R. Sweetser, Si ; N. W. Harris, 50 c.

Miss Taylor, Simmons, Richardson, Clark, Hannah Davis, Chipman &, Son, Gardiner,
Smith, True, Jellerson, Shaw; E. N. Nelson, Minot.

44. Hightop Sweet. Z. A. Gilbert, East Turner. Si ; L. H.
Blossom, 50 c.

Simmons, Bennoch, Harlow.

45. Hul)bardston Nonsuch. Perley & Perkins, SI ; Miss L. L.
Taylor, 50 c.

Richardson, Clark, Mrs. Robbins, Bennoch, Smith.

46. Hunt Russet. (Golden Russet of Mass.) Entries by ]Mrs.
Strattard and George H. Pope, West Gardiner, but no premium
awarded.

47. Hurlbut. H. J. A. Simmons, Si.

Entry by H. S. Carey, "not true to name."

48. Tewelt's Fine Red. [Nodheud.) Perley & Perkins, Si ; Miss
L. L. Taylor, 50 e.

Richardson, Mrs. Robbins, Bennoch, Smith.

49. King of Tompkins Count}'. S. W. Shaw, Si : S. R. Sweet-
ser, 50 c.

Miss Taylor, Sawyer, Dunton, Clark, Hannah Davis, Chiptnan k Son, Mrs. Robbins,
Bennoch, Smith.

50. King Sweeting. Miss L. L. Taylor, SI ; J. S. Hoxie, 50 c.

Richardson, Smith, Perloy &, Perkins.

51. Large Yellow Bough. S. W. Shaw, Si ; Perley & Pei-
kins, 50 c.

True, Sweetser, Bennoch, Gardiner, Sawyer.

52. Minister. J. Pope & Son, $1.

12 STATE POiiOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

53. Moses Wood. Miss. L. L. Taylor, Si ; Pefle\- & Pv^r-
kins, 50 c.

Gardiner. Popo & Son.

54. Mother. Miss L. L. Taylor, Si ; J. M. Richardson, 50 c.

Gardiner, Bennoch.

55. Naked-limbed Greening. Mrs. A. B. Strattard, $1 ; S. C.
Harlow, 50 c.

Smith, True.

56. Northern Spy. Miss L. L. Taylor, $1 ; Perley & Perkins,
50 c.

Simmon?, Uichardson, Clark, Hannah Davis, Gardiner, Chipman it Son, Mrs. Rob-
bins, Bennoch, Fulton, Harris, Smith, ftweetsur.

57. Orange Sweet. J. S. Hoxie, Si ; H. J. A. Simmons, 50 e.

58. Peck's Pleasant. J. J. Towle, $1 ; J. Pope & Son, 50 c.

59. Pomme Royale. No entry.

60. Porter. Charles H. Blanchard, Cumberland Centre, $1 ; S.
W. Shaw, 60 c.

Miss Taylor, Simmons, Richardson, Dunton, Clark, Gardiner, Hannah Davis, Mrs.
Robbins, Bennoch, Day, Smith, Sweetser, Towle.

61. President. L. H. Blossom, $1.

62. Primate. No entr}-.

63. Pumpkin Sweet. S. C. Harlow. SI.

Gardiner, Bennoch, Smith, Nelson. " Second premium not awarded on account of
specimens not being true to name."

64. Red Astrachan. J. J. Towle, Si ; J. S. Hoxie, 50 c.

Simmons, Sawyer, Harris, Harlow, Perley & Perkins, Mrs Strattard.

65. Red Canada. Alfred Smith, $1 ; R. H. Gardiner, 50 c.

Richardson.

66. Rhode Island Greening. S. R. Sweetser, 1 ; Perley & Per-
kins, 50 c.

Miss Taylor, Simmons, Richardson, Dunton, Clark, Gardiner, Smith, True, Jellerson.

67. Roife. {Macomber.) No entry.

68. Roxbury Russet. Alfred Smith, Si ; Edward Clark, 50 c.

Miss Taylor, Richardson, Gardiner, Mrs. Robbins, Bennoch, True, Shaw.

69. Sops of Wine. (BeU's Early.) Alfred Smith, 1; S. C.
Harlow, 50 c.

Miss Taylor, Simmons. Sawyer, Bennoch, Perley & Perkins.

70. Somerset. Miss L, L. Taylor, Si ; J- E. Bennoch, 50 c.

Simmons, Smith, Sweetser.

71. Starkey. Perley & Perkins, Si ; J- Pope & Son, 50 c.

Sawyer.

STATE PO.MOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Jg

72. Talman's Sweet. N W. Harris, Si : Edward Clark. 50 c.

Miss Taylor, Richardson, Gardiner, Mrs Robbins, Bennoch, Smith, Swuetsor,
Pcrley & I'urkius, True. "All splendid specimens."

7o. Tetofskv. Mrs. A. B. Strattard, $1.

74 Wageiier. IN. W. Harris, $1 ; H. J. A. Simmons, 50 c.

Harlow.

75. Williams' Favorite. J. S Hoxie, $1 ; Miss L. L. Taylor, 50 c.

Siuimons, Bunnocb, Smith, Mrs. Strattard.

7G Wintlirop Greening. J. Pope & Son, 1 ; Alfred Smith, 50 c.

Miss Taylor, Sawyer, Kiehardson, Gardiner, True.

77. Yellow Bcllflower. R H. Gardiner, $1 ; John Dunton, 50 e.

Miss Taylor, Simmons, Clark, Bcunoch, Mrs. Strat.tard.

78. Crab Apples. J. S Hoxie, $1 ; S. C. Harlow. 50 c.

Simmons, Clark, Waterman, Gardiner, Smith, True, De Rocher.

Sundries. Edward Clark, Beaut}' of Kent, gratuitif, 50 c ; Han-
nah Davis, Summer Pearmain, Poinid Sweet. New York Stripe ;
Z A Gill)ert, ]Milding, f//-rt., 50 c. ; J M Richardson, Pound Sweet,
Fall Jenneting. Carlton. ^Vhite Jenneting; G B Sawyer, Ontario,
gra., 50 c. ; R. H (iardiner, Fairbanks, Sweet Golden Pippin, gra.,
50e ; Gloria Mnndi. Hul)tmrdton I'ippin. Strawberry, Fall Pip-pin, Rib-
ston Pippin, g)-a., 50c ; Jersey Sweet, Winter Pearmain, gra , 50c. ;
Spitzenburg ; A. B Chipinan & Son, Golden Ball ; John Dunton,
Ben Davis, Lady; James M. Fulton, Wealthy, gra, $1; T. S.
iNIcLellan. Brunswick, same, gra , 50c. ; J. E. Bonnoch, same ; C.
A Day, Autumn Strawberry, gra., 50 c ; J. M. Richardson,
Gloria IMundi of IM.iine, gra , 50 c. ; D J. Briggs. Ben Davis,
Swaar, White Rambo, gra., 50 c. ; Winter Sweet, Smith's Cider,
Sweet Nonsuch, Mammoth Pippin ; J. J Towle, Fall Pippin, gra ,
50 c. ; S. W. Shaw, Fall Jenneting, gra., 50 c. ; Beefsteak.

'"'•Special Exhibition of Russets.

" With a view to the settlement of numerous doubts and contro-
versies respecting this class of apples, the Society invites contribu-
tions of the varieties of russets grown in the State, five specimens
of each variety, named as (correctly as may be, for comparison. A
special committee will be appointed to consider the same, and
authorized to recommend reasonable gratuities for any variety or
collection deserving such recognition."

Under this class there were, besides the entries of the various
kinds of russets before mentioned, entries as follows : J. J. Towle,
8 varieties ; G. B Saw3'er, 3 varieties; John Dunton, 2 varieties ;
I. T. Waterman, R. II. Gardiner, Perley &. Perkins, S. W. Shaw

14 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

and Henry Ingalls, one variet}' each The specimens presented a
great diversit}' in form, size, color and quaUt\', and were examined
with much interest ; but, with a few exceptions, they were not
sufficiently advanced in developement to justify an estimate of their
merits, and the subject was postponed to the Winter Meeting.

Class 2 — PEARS.

" Entries for premiums Nos 79, 80, and 81, must consist of five
specimens of each variety exhibited."

79. For best general exhibition of pears. Samuel Rolfe, Port-
land, $12; A. B. Chipmau & Son, $8; Alfred Smith, So ; D. P.
True, $3.

80. For best five named varieties of autumn pears.

Alfred Smith, D. P. True. Premiums not awarded.

81. For best five named varieties of winter pears. Xo entr^-.

'' Entries for premiums Nos. 82 to 110, inclusive, must consist of
five to ten specimens, according to size, of each variety exhibited "

82. For best single variet}' of fall pears. Alfred Smith, $2; D.
P. True, $1.

83. For the best single variet}' of winter pears. No entry,

84. For the best dish of Bartlett. Albion Picker, Turner, $1 ;
E. N. Nelson, 50 c.

E. N. Leavitt, Auburn; Smith, Jellerson.

85. Belle Lucrative. S. C. Harlow, §1 ; E. N. Nelson, 50 c.

Sawyer, Gardiner, Smith.

86. Beurre d'Anjou. Alfred Smith, $1 ; G. B. Sawyer, 50 c.

87. Beurre Bosc. No entr}'.

88. Beurre Hardy. R. H. Gardiner, $1.

89. Beurre Superfin. D. P. True, $1.

90. Beurre Clairgeau. G B. Saw3-er, 31.

91. Beurre Diel. G. B. Sawyer, $1 ; D. J. Briggs, 50 c,

92. BuflTum, E. N Nelson, $1 ; D. P True, 50 c.

93. Clapp's Favorite. E. N. Nelson, $1 ; G B. Saw3-er, 50 c

Clark, Gardiner.

94 Do^'enne Boussock. No entry.

95. Duchess d'Angoulenne, A. B. Chipmau & Son, $1 ; Alfred
Smith, 50 c.

D. P. True.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. I5

96. Flemish Beaut}'. Edward Clark, $1 ; S. R. Sweetser, 50 c.

Briggs, Gardiner, Ricker, Smith, Miss Taylor. Nelson, True, Perley & Perkins.

97. Fulton. Perley & Perkins, $1.

98. Glout Moreeau. No entrj'.

99. Goodale. Perlej^ & Perkins, $1.

100. Howell. Alfred Smith, $1 ; E N, Nelson, oO c.

Gardiner, True.

101. Josephine de Malines. No entry.

102. Lawrence. Miss L. L. Ta3lor, $1 ; E. N. Nelson, 50c.

Jellerson.

103. Louise Bonne de Jersey. E. N. Nelson, $1 ; Alfred Smith,
50 c.

Briggs, Leavitt, True.

104. Marie Louise. No entry.

105. Seckel. C. T. Jellerson, $1 ; E. N. Nelson, 50 c.

Briggs.

lOG. Sheldon Edward Clark, $1 ; Miss L. L. Taylor, 50 c.

Briggs, Leavitt, Smith, Nelson.

107. Swan's Orange. Alfred Smith, $1.

108. Urbaniste. G. B. Sawyer, $1.

109. Vicar of Wakefield. A. B. Chipman & Son, $1 ; E. N Nel-
son, 50 c.

D. P. True.

110. Winter Nelis. E. N. Leavitt, $1 ; R. H. Gardiner, 50 c.

SuxDRiKS. G. B Sawyer, Ott; R. H. Gardiner, Napoleon, gra-
tuity, 50 c. ; Miss L. L Taylor, Nickersou, gra , 50 c. ; Perley &
Perkins, Nickerson, gra ,50 c. ; seedling ; S. C. Harlow, Indian
Queen, gra., 50 c. ; Edward Clark, small, yellow pear, unknown.

Class 3— GRAPES.

Ill For best exhibition of foreign grapes, grown with fire heat.
John C. Baker, Lewiston, $10; John Vicker}-, Auburn, $8.

112. For best exhibition of foreign grapes, grown in cold grai)erv.
G. B. Sawyer, $8; John Burr, Freeport, $5.

113. For best cluster Black Hamburgh. John Viekery, 1 ; G. ]>.
Sawer, 50 c.

Baker, Burr.

114. Wilmot's Hamburgh. G. B. Sawyer, $1 ; John Biiir, 50 c.

115. Victoria Haml)urgh. John Burr, Si ; G. B. Sawyer, 50 c.

116. White Froutignau. No entry.

](3 STATE POiMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

117. Grizzly Frontignaii. No entry,

lis. White Muscat No entry.

119. Mii.scat Hamburgh. G. B. Sawyer, $1.

120. White Chasselas G. B Sawyer, $1 ; John Burr, 50 c.

121. Lady Downes No entry.

122. BuL-hland Sweet Water. No entry.
123 Trentham Black. G B. Sawyer, $1.

124. West's St Peters. No entry.

125. White Nice. John Burr, $1.

126 Red Chasselas John C. Baker, $1 ; G. B Sawyer, 50 c.

127. Chasselas Musque. G. B. Saw3'er, $1.

128. For the best collection of Native grapes (open air.) Wesley
Blanchard, Lewiston, SG ; Peter De Rocher, $4; W. W. Dunham,
No. Paris, $2.

Sawyer, Smith, True, Harlow.

129. For the best single variety, three bunches. Perlev & Per-
kins, $2; D. P. True, $1.

130. For the best three bunches Delaware. Wesle}' Blanchard,
$1 ; Peter De Rocher, 50 c.

Sawyer, Briggs, Perley & Perkins, Dunham.

131. Concord. Wesley Blanchard, $1 ; G B. Sawyer. 50 c.

Briggs, Smith, True, Dunham.

132. Hartford Prolific. Peter De Rocher, $1 ; G. B. Sawyer, 50 c.

Smith, True, Perley & Perkins, Blanchard, Dunham.

133. Rebecca W. W. Dunham, $1.

134. Allen's Hybrid. No entry.

135. Adirondac. Peter De Rocher, $1 ; W. W. Dunham, 50 c.

136. Creveling. Peter De Rocher, $1 ; W. W. Dunham, 50 c.

Parley & Perkins.

137. Massasoit, (Rogers' Hybrid No. 3.) S. W. Shaw, $1 ; W.
W. Dunham, 50 c.

138. Wilder, (Rogei's' No 4 ) John Vickery,4l ; G. B. Saw-
yer, 50 c.

W. W. Dunham.

139. Lindley, (Rogers' No. 9.) Wesley Blanchard, $1 ; W. W.
Dunham, 50 c.

140. Agawam, (Rogers' No. 15.) Perley & Perkins, $1 ; Alfred
Smith, 50 c.

Vickery, Blanchard, De Bocher.

141. Merrimac, (Rogers' No. 19.) G. B. Sawyer, $1; Alfred
Smith, 50 c.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. ;J7

142 Salem. (Rogers' No 22.) S. W. Shaw, $1 ; S. C Har-
low. 50 e

Sawyer, 151anchard.

143. Wordon. Peter De Roclier. Si : O. B. Sawyer, 50 c.

Smith, Dunham.

SuxDKiKS. O. Tj. Sawyer, Iilack Hawk. Adiroiulae, Rentz,
Perkins, Eumelan ; lona, Diana and Allen's Hyhritl, grown nndei-
glass; D J. Briggs. Blood's Seedling. Royal Muscadine, Seedling,
Early Champion : John C. Baker. Golden Hamburgh, lilack Sweet-
water. White Sweetwater, Black Muscadine, Royal Muscadine: INI.
J. Rogers, New Gloucester. Blood's Seedling ; John Vickerv. Concord.
Delaware. Salem. Seedling and Sweetwater, grown under glass, r/ya.,
$1 ; Clinton. Martha; -D. P. True. Clinton. Northern Muscadine;
Perley & Perkins, Northern Muscadine ; Wesley Blanchard, Herbe-
mont, Early Black, (?) Essex, Champion, Walter; John Burr,
Golden Chasselas, Golden Hamburgh. White Sweetwater; Peter
De Rocher, Essex, ]\Iartha, Brighton, Moore's Early, Telegraph,
Lady, Belvidere, Early Black, (?) Union Village, Chanlpiou : W.
W. Dunham, Moore's Earl}', Lady, Clinton, Isabella, Eumelan,
Telegraph, Cottage, Northern Muscadine, Perkins, Blood's Seed-
ling, Elorence, Champion, Dracut Amber, Brighton, Janesville,
Martha, Stewart's Seedling, grn. for numerous kinds on trial, $2 ;
G. H. Pope. Seedling, (of no apparent merit) ; Hannah Davis,
Shaker Seedling; Alfred Smith, P^umelan, Isabella, gra., 50c.

There were several entries of well known varieties nnder names
which [)roved to be syn^nymes, viz : Black Hamburgh as Med
Ilainhnrgh ; White Sweetwater as Dutch Sweet waler ; Telegraph as
CJiri.siine; Hartford Prolidc as Frami)igham.

Class 4 — P L l^ M S .

144. For the best general exhibition of plums, not less than ten
varieties. No enUy.

"Entries for premiums Nos. 145 to 1G;5, inclusive, must consist
of not less than twelve specimens each."

145. For best dish of plums of a single variety. E. W. Leavitt,
$2; D. P. True, SI.

140. For best dish of Green Gage. No entry.
147. Purple Gage. No entry.
2

18 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETT.

148. Red Gage. No entrv.

149. Yellow Gage. No entry.

150. Prince's Imperial Gage. D. P. True, SI.

151. Coe's Golden Drop. No enhy,

152. General Hand. No entr}'.

153. Lawrence. No entry.

154. Moore's Arctic. No entr}-.

155. McLaughlin. No entry.

15G. Reine Claude de Bavaj'. No entiT.

157. Lombard. D. P. True, $1 ; Mrs. J. P. Louglej', Auburn,
50 c.

E. N. Nelson.

158. Columbia. No entry.

159. Magnum Bonum. No entry.

160. Washington. C. T. Jellerson, $1 ; E. N. Nelson, 50 c.

161. Jefferson. No entry.

162. Penobscot. No entr}'.

163. Smith's Orleans. No entry.

Hon. A. W. Paine of Bangor, exhibited seedling plums grown by
him and called Paine's seedling. Resembles Jefterson and Wash-
ington, and is probably a seedling of one of those varieties. Mr.
Paine regards it as not inferior to either of them ; (gni., $1.)

Class 5 — M IS C E L L ANEOUS.

164. For best dish of peaches. No entry.

165. For best dish of apricots. No entrj-.

166. For best dish of nectarines. No entry.

167. For best dish of quinces. No entry.

168. For best ornamental dish of fruit. Mrs. A. B. Strattard, $1.

169. For best peck of cultivated cranberries. Seward Dill,
Phillips, $2; Mrs. A. B. Strattard, $1.

Alfred Smith.

170. For best samples of nursery apple trees. No entr}'.

171. For best samples of nurser\' pear trees. D. P. True ; not
seen b3' the committee.

172. For best samples of nursery grape vines. No entry.

173. P^or best orange tree, in, fruit. H. B. Bai'tlett, Lewiston, $1 ;
John Burr. 50 c.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. J 9,

174. Foi' best lemon tree, in fruit. No entr\-.

175. For best fig tree, in fruit. John Burr, $1.

176. For best exhibition of canned fruits, in glass jars, five
varieties, of doinestic manufacture. Mrs. A. BStrattar:!, ? 1 .

177. For best exhibition of dried frnit, b}' an}- process. No
entry.

178. For best exhibition of dried fruits, of domestic manufacture,
tljie product of one family or individual. No entry.

179. For best exhibition of evaporated apples. J. J. Towle,
Dixfield, $2.

180. For best cider apple sauce. Lizzie Haskell, West Glouces-
ter, $2 ; Hannah Davis, West Gloucester, $1 ; A. B. Chipman &
Son. grata it I/, i)0 c.

181 . For best exhibition of fruit jellies, not less than five varieties,
of domestic manufacture. No entrv.

Class 6 — FLOWERS.
'•In this class no article can be entered for more than one premium."

First Division.

182. For best display of cut flowers, filling not less than 100
phials. W. E. Morton, Portland, $10; Mrs. A. A. Sawyer, Wis-
casset, $8 ; Mrs. Charles Stanley, Winthrop, $5 ; Mrs. A. B. Strat-
tard, $3.

183. For best exhibition of roses, not less than five varieties.
G. M. Roak, Auburn, $2 ; W. E. Morton, $1.

184. For best exhibition of Dahlias, not less than ten varieties.
Mrs. Charles Stanley, $2.

185. For best exhibition of Chinese Pinks. G. M. Roak, Si;
Mrs. Charles Stanley, 50 c.

18G. For best exhibition of Carnations, not less than five varieties.
G. -M. Roak, $2 ; W. E. Morton, $\.

187. For best exhibition of Japan Lilies. W. E. Morton, S2 ;
G. M. Roak, $1.

188. For best exhil)ition of Asters, not less thnn t(^n varieties..
Miss L. M. Pope, Manchester, $\ ; Mrs. Charles Stanley, 50 c.

Roak, Mrs. Strattsrd.

189. Pansies. G. M. Roak, $1 ; Mrs. A. B. Strattard, 50 c.

Mrs. John C. Baker, Mrs. Charles Stanley.

20 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

190. Zinnias. Mrs. Charles Stanle^y, $1 ; John Burr, 50 c.

Mrs. A. B. Strattard.

191. Phlox Drunimondi. John Burr, $1 ; Mrs. Charles .Stanley,
50 c.

192. Stocks. Mrs. Charles Stanley, 50 c.

193. Balsams. G. M. Roak, $\ ; Mrs. Charles Stanley, 50 c.

194. Chrysanthemums. No entry.

195. Petunias. John Burr, $1 ; W. E. Morton, 50 c.

Mrs. A. B. Strattard.

196. Gladiolus. Miss L. M. Pope, $2 ; G. M. Roak, $1.

197. Verbenas. Miss L. M. Pope, $2 : John Burr, $1.

Geo. M. Roak.

Skcond Divisiox.

198. For best pair of parlor bouquets. Mrs. Charles Stanley, S2.

199. For best pair of wall bouquets. Mrs. E. N. Nelson, Minot.
$2 ; Mrs. Charles Stanley, $1.

200. For best pair of hand bouquets. W. E. Morton, $2 ; Mrs.
Charles Stanley, $1.

201. For best bouquet of Asters. Mrs. Charles Stanley, $1 ;
Mrs. A. B. Strattard, 50 c.

202. For best bouquet of Dahlias. No entrN'.

203. For best floral pillow. ^¥. E. Morton, $5 ; G. M. Roak, $3.

204. For best floral design. AV. E. Morton, $5 ; Mrs A. B.
Strattard, $2.

205. For best floral wreath. W. E. Morton, $2.

206. For best dinner table decoration. Miss Edith Leavitt.
Auburn, $1.

Mrs. A- B. Strattard, Miss L. M. Pope.

207. For best basket of wild flowers. Miss Edith Leavitt, $1 ;
Miss Nellie True, Turner, 50 c.

Mrs. Strattard, Mrs. Alaj'hew, Auburn; Mrs. Stanley.

208. For best exhibition dried grasses Mrs. Chai'les Stanley,
$2 ; Mrs. C. D. Mayhew, $1.

Miss Taylor, Mrs. L. Brackctt, Lewiston, Mrs. J. H. Merrill, T/cwiston, Mrs.
Strattard.

209. For best everlasting flowers. Mrs. C. D. Mayhew. $2 ; Mrs.
G. A. P^merson, Litchfield, $1.

Mrs. C. H. Bradford, Turner, Mrs. Brackett, Mrs. Strattard, Mrs. Stanky.

210. For best dish of cut flowers. No entry.

211. For best fancy basket of flowers. Miss L. M. Pope, $2;
G. M. Roak, |1.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 21

SuNDHiKS. Mrs. Peiree, Lewiston, card receiver ; Mrs. A. O.
Hilton, Lewiston. shell Hower wreath.

TiiiRu Division.

212. For ])est exhibition of green house plants. John Burr, $8 ;
G. M. Roak, $5.

213. For best exhibition of pot plants, not less than 20 pots.
Mrs. J. H. Merrill, $5 ; Miss Nellie Morse, Auburn, $3.

"Persons exhibiting green house plants, (No. 212) cannot compete
for premium No. 213."

214. For best exhibition of ferns. G. M. Roak, $3 ; John Burr,
S2.

215. For best exhibition of Geraniums. John Burr, $2 ; G. M.
Roak, $1. •

216. For best exhibition of Begonias. G. M. Roak, $2 ; John
Burr, $1.

217. For best exhibition of Coleus. John Burr, $2 ; G. M. Roak,
SI.

21S. For best specimen plant of Tuberose. G. M. Roak.

219. For best specimen plant of Draceana. G. M. Roak.

220. For best specimen plant of double Geranium. John Burr,

')() c.

221. For best specimen plant of single Geranium, No entry.

222. For best specimen plant of Salvia Splendens. G. M. Roak,
SI.

223. For best specimen plant of Foliage Begonia. G. M. Roak,
$1.

224. For best specimen plant of Flowering Begonia. Mrs. Isaac
Haskell, Lewiston, $1.

Roak, Burr.

225. For best specimen plant of Coleus. John Burr, $1. G. M.
Roak.

22G. For best specimen plant of Fuchsia. G. M. Roak.

227. For best specimen plant of Carnation. John Burr, $1 ; G.
M. Roak.

228. For best single pot plant. G. M. Roak, century jilant, SI ;
Mrs. J. H. Merrill, jMrs. IL J. Walker, Lewiston; Mrs. John
Vickery.

229. For best hanging basket with plants. No entry.

22 STATE POiMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

230. For best climbiug plant, on trellis. Mrs. E. N. Leavitt,
wax plant, $1 ; Mrs. J. H. Merrill.

231. For best Wardian case. No entry.

232. For best aquarium, with plants. No entry.

233. For best rustic stand not less than three feet in height, to be
filled with choice plants. No entr}'.

234. For best exhibition of wax flowers. No entrj'.

STATE PO.MOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING.

The eighth "Winter Meeting of the Society, (being an adjourn-
ment of the annual meeting which was held at Lewiston, Sept. 28,
1882.) was held at the Town Hall in "Waterville, on the 30th and
31st days of JauuarN", 1883, in connection with a Farmers' Institute
under the direction of the Secretary of tlie Board of Agriculture.

The attendance of persons from places other than the immediate
vicinit}' of the place of meeting was larger than at any previous
Winter Meeting of the Society. Free return tickets were furnished
by the Maine Central and other railroads. The use of the hall,
attended and lighted, and the tables, dishes, &c., for the exhibili<m,
were provided by the liberality of the citizens of Waterville. free of
expense to the Society. Guests were entertained at the Elmwood
Hotel at reduced rates. For all of which favors due acknowledg-
ment was made by votes at the close of the proceedings.

A stenographic report of the discussions was made by Mrs. S.
G. Crosby of Waterville, from which, in a condensed form, the
report herewith presented is made.

An exhibition of fruit w^as made in connection with the meeting,
for the purpose of presenting the Winter fruits of the State in their
perfection, which cannot be done at the Autumn exhibitir)ns, — also
to afford special means for study and comparison. A limited list
of premiums was offered. The exhil)itiou w-as satisfactory in
chaiacte'r and extent ; and for particulars, reference is made to the
report of the examining committee in subsequent pages.

FIRST D^Y.

The opening hour of the morning session was spent in ai langiug
the fruit exhibition and i)reHmiuai'y business.

At 11 o'cloci< listened to an interesting lecttu'e by Prof. ('. II.
Fernald of the State Agricultural College, on "The Potato Rot,
and Fungoid (iiowths in Fruit Culture," which is reported, with
illustrations, in the report of the Board of Agriculture. This, with
the discussion to which it gave rise, occupied the forenoon.

24 STATE rOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

^fteriaooii Session.

Mot at 2 o'clock P. M . when the President, Hon. R. H.
Gardixei!, nuide his annual address, which was listened to with
close attention.

Opexixg Address of the President.

This is the eleventh year of the existence of the Alaine State
Pomological Society, and in accordance with custom, your President
will say a few words of introduction to the various exercises of tliis,
our winter meeting. In the few years that we have existed as a
Society, we think it will generally be acknowledged that we have
accomplished a good work, and at any rate, never in the history of
our State, has so much attention been given to orcharding as now,
and very man}' farmers begin to realize that a good orchard well
cared tor, yields more income and at a less cost than any other
product of the farm.

Our last winter meeting was held at Biddeford, which was in many
respects a very satisfactory meeting, with a fine display of fruit, and
where we were cheered b}- the presence of Friend Taylor, so devoted
and enthusiastic a member of oui' Society from the beginning, who,
notwithstanding his advanced age, had driven in a sleigh to attend
the meeting, some ninety miles, the thei'mometer a portion of the
time twenty degrees below zero, and bringing with him some
eighteen or twenty varieties of handsome apples for exliibition.
Alas ! his presence no longer greets us, but at all our meetings he
will ever be remembered with affection and respect.

The summer of 1882 will ever be noted for the long continued
drouth, in consequence of which, the larger portion of the apple
crop, which had been so very promising, fell off or was affected with
worms, and was generally small and not well colored. Heavy
I'ains fell the middle of September, which in some instances wonder-
fully improved the apples both in size and color, but it came too late
to be of very general benefit. As the supply of apples in Maine
was far from abundant, high prices were expected ; but from the
supply of windfalls, the apples from Massachusetts, wdiere the
crop was abundant but very inferior, and also the best qualities of
apples from Missouri and Arkansas — one county in the latter State
produced over a million of barrels — the prices ruled low till late in
the season. Our autumn exhibition was held the last of September
in connection with the State Fair, and taking into consideration the

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. ■ 25

season, it was a remarkaV)ly tine one. As to the Hower garden tlie
past \"ear, fVoin my own experience, wiietlier as to roses, bnlbs,
perennials oi- annuals, I sliouhl siw that I never remtMiiber so
un[)ropitious a season, cold and wet in tlie spring and very diT in
tlie summer.

In all farming operations, what is there that gives greater satis-
faction to the farmer, than to gather a l)ountiful crop of Iruit at the
different seasons, that years befoi-e he planted in faith, then grafted,
and for year after year has been watching to see if they continued
erect — had an open top to admit the sun, no branches crossing one
anotJier, that they were well balanced and that no borers, mice or
caterpillars were at work to destroy all his hopes. IIovv many de-
prive themselves of this [)lcasure and profit, because the results are
not immediate, but that patient waiting for some years is necessary,
forgetting the familiar stor}" of the man who had alwa3's made this
excuse for not planting an orchard, but lived to eat fruit raised by
his grandson.

Besides planting an orchard, there is another subject now exciting
great attention all over the world — owing to the destruction of the
forests what sad results have happened. The land of Palestine, in
the days of Bil)le history, was a land described as flowing with
milk and honey, now, owing solely to the destruction of the trees,
is a barren waste ; and such, too. is the case with many parts
of Spain, once so ver}- fruitful. We, perhaps, can scarcely exi)ect
our farmers just yet to devote much time or expense to planting
forest trees, l)ut when driving through the country one sees the
school-house with not a tree near it, exposed to the scorching ra3's
of the sun, and the bleak blasts of winter, and no shade for the
childien to enjoy at I'ecess, — and the same, too, may be said of many
a farmer's house — when all this could be changed at such a trifling
expense, it does seem passing strange. And, besides a tree or two
in front of the farmer's house for shade, and a clump at the north-
west as a protection, at what slight cost can he add a cheap porch
made of branches of ti'ees or of laths, and upon this train a honey-
suckle, a Virginia Creeper, or Clematis, or better yet a grape vine,
and then b}- the expenditure of two or three hours labor, make one
or two beds for his wife and daughters to ornament with flowers and
shrubs ; nothing can be more refining and civilizing than this. The
clearing up of trees and bushes causes springs and brooks to dry up.
Nearly every farm in this region has swales or gullies, and these

26 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

■when clearecl up are of little value. Now if evciy one will leave
these gullies in a natural state, not only the bushes but trees will
spring up, and the farmer who has been greath' troubled b_y the
want of water, will find that he has an abundant supply, beside a
growth of valuable trees upon land fit for nothing else.

To return to apples. But a few years since the foreign export of
apples was confined to the Newtown Pippin, shipped b^' one man,
Mr. Pell, from New York, but now in a good season the export
exceeds a million of barrels, and except in verj- rare seasons of
extraordinary' abundance, there seems no probability but what
good apples will alwa3's find a sale at a fair price As in the pro-
gress of this meeting you will hear essa3-s and discussions b^- those
well qualified to speak upon the various special subjects appertain-
ing to pomolog}-, I shall not touch upon them at all, but continue
with a few general remarks.

Thei'e has been a great discussion and difference of opinion as to
the different kinds of apples one ought to cultivate. Allow me to
say in answer that diflferent soils and locations suit diflferent apples.
For instance, with all my endeavors, I find it impossible to raise a
barrel of good Roxbur}' Russets, an apple that so many, and some
of them located not far from me, find to be the most profitable apple
they can raise. On the other hand, I have been peculiarly success-
ful with the Bellflower — large crops annually, and generally of
better size, color and flavor, than an}' others seen at our exhibitions
In consequence of this I am cA'er}' 3ear setting out more trees of
the same sort. I therefore would advise every one to experiment
with different trees of the standard varieties, and when he ascer-
tains which does the best, then go in largeW for that. The general
opinion is that the Baldwin is the tree for market and also for home
use, and that nine-tenths of every orchard should be Baldwin. But
as I have already said, first ascertain what A-ariety will flourish best
Avith you, whether Baldwin, Roxbury Russet, Bellflower, R. I.
Greening, Talman Sweet, or some other standard, and then plant
largely, if not exclusivel}', of the variety you find succeeds best
with you.

Inquiry has often been made as to the best season for planting
trees. I belicA-e that taking one year with another, the spring is
the most safe, but I have had great success with autumn planting.
It depends upon the season. If, after planting in the autumn,
dry weather prevails, and this continues till the ground freezes,

STATE POxMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 27

3-011 will lose mam- of jour trees, but if rains follow and settle the
earth around the roots, probably evei-y tree will live. Allow lue
to say here, though not pouiological it is arboricultural, a subject
embraced by our Society-, that the proper time for planting ever-
green trees is very different from that for deciduous. The time
for planting evergreen trees such as the Norway Spruce, Hemlock,
etc., is either in May, just as the new leaves put forth, generally
towards the last of May, or else in August when the second growth
puts forth. I think I have generally been more sure of success in
August than in Ma}-, but either will do. In planting an orchard,
great care is necessary The ground should be prepared as for a
crop of corn. Then procure trees with good roots, not dried by
exposure to sun and wind. Avoid if possible setting them out on a
verj' windy da}-. From my own experience, and that of man^-
others, I should advise that apple trees should be planted thirty feet
apart each wa}-, never less. A tree forty or fifty 3-ears old will often
cover a space fort}' feet in diameter — I have often seen trees planted
eighteen feet or less apart. These do well for a few years, but
after twenty- j-ears when the trees should be in full bearing you will
find only the outside trees bearing good fruit, the rest are so crowded
and shaded the}- bear but little fruit and that small and without color.
A word or two now as to the mode of planting Dig a hole the
size of the roots, and six to twelve inches deeper than \-ou wish to
set the tree, then all around the hole undermine the sod at least six
inches. This is to enable the roots to make a ready start. Next
in the centre of the hole, make a little mound of good earth, six to
twelve inches high, set the tree upon this, carefulh' stretching out
the roots, then be careful to cover all the roots with good soil, and
especiall}- fill the hollow beyond the roots with the same, and as you
proceed in filling in the earth, occasionally lift or shake the tree so
as to be sure there is no space not filled with earth, and the last
operation is to press the earth very firmly around the tree. Planted
in this way no stake is required, and if the tree was all right when
set out it will be sure to grow. In France they transplant the largest
trees with uniform success. I remember wlien in Paris, passing by
the Place de la liourse. This was a paved avenue or couit of some
length, at the end of it stood that splendid building, the Exchange,
the centre of the commercial operations of France. I was absent a
few months, and upon my return what was my amazement at seeing

28 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

on each side of this avenue a roAv of large trees, appaventlj- grow-
ing there for forty years. It seemed miraculous. But the next
vear, passing some time in the South of France, I was one day in
Marseilles, and the marvel was explained. The splendid Hotel de
Ville (City Hall) had just been completed, and it was desirable the
large square in front should be filled with trees. I watched the
operations with the greatest incerest. A tree more than thirty feet
hi"h was dug round, a diameter of say ten or twelve feet, and as
deep as the roots. It was then partially undermined, and plank put
under and at the sides. A peculiar carriage was then brought into
requisition. There were two large timbers, sa3' thirty feet long,
which rested at each end on a pair of low wheels. This was brought
wj to the tree, one timber removed till the carriage was in place,
and then it was replaced on the wheels and the tree stood between
the timbers. A tall derrick was then placed on the timbers, and
the tree raised in its box so as to clear the ground. Stays were
fastened from the top of the tree to each end of the timbers so as to
keep the tree upright. It was then drawn by a very strong team to
the place where it was to be planted. Previously a hole, a little
larger than the roots of the ti-ee had been dug. This hole was then
filled with good earth. The tree was drawn over this, the loose
earth all removed, the tree lowered into its place, the plank taken
out. and the hole filled up. After this a large hole was dug on each
side of the tree and these were filled with good earth. Seeing these
ti'ees afterward one could scared}' believe the}' had been so recently
planted.

Keturning to apple trees, I wish to say a word about the general
mistake of planting too great a variety. This is the point which has
of late been frequently touched upon, but such is the temptation to
produce a large variety at the annual exhibition, or to try a new
variety recommended by fruit tree dealers, that it is well to reiterate
its great disadvantages. I trust that our Society will never again
give a premium for the greatest variety of apples. I once had over
fifty kinds but am reducing the number as fast as possible. Last
3'ear I cut down a large^tree, a New York Russet, which always bore
several barrels of apples, to reduce the number of mv varieties. It
is very well for those who have leisure and taste to experiment with
new varities, and we may sometimes in this way obtain a valuable
addition to our standards, but for one who desires to raise npples
for the market, beside a few summer, autumn and winter for faniil}'

STATE PO.MOLOGICAL SOCIETY. £9

use, let him ascertain which of half a dozen standai'd sorts suit his
soil and location best, and then plant at least nine-tenths of his trees
with this.

1 wish to sa3' in concluding these few remarks that our Society
embraces a large number of subjects, and I have bareh' alluded to
one or two, but you will soon have the pleasure of hearing interest-
ing papers and discussions upon many of them, which I feel confi-
dent will be practical and of lasting benefit to us all.

Following the deliveiy of his address, the President read an
original paper conti'ibuted by Dr. T. H. Hoskins of Newport, Vt.,
on " Hardy "Winter Apples." an article then recentU' written by
himself for publication on "Nomenclature of Russets," and an
article on the same subject by Dr. Hoskins. Mr. Gardiner's article
was originally published in the Hojiie Farm, and was copied b}* Dr.
Hoskins, with comments, in the Verinont Watchman; and the notes
by Dr. H., here given, were published in the Inst named pajjer in
pursuance of the sul)ject ; all of which are here inserted in their
order.

HARDY WINTER APPLES.

BY DR. T. H. HOSKINS.

The Baldwin is the great market apple for winter in New Eng-
land, and has held that position for so long a time that it must be a
wonderful fruit that will replace it in the regard and confidence of
growers and consumers. It is quite as hard to dethrone a popular
fruit as to reA'olutionize a popular government ; and as with govern-
ments, so it will be with fruits, they must themselves deteriorate far
before the people will begin to consider the question of dispensing
with them.

But we cannot, even in behalf of our greatest favorites, prevail to
reverse the fiat of nature when she cries, " thus far, but no farther I"
It must be conceded that the l>ald\viii jipple is a fruit of soutiioni
New England only, and that moi'e than half of our area has a
climate in which that apple can never be grown with profit, if even
at all.

Unfortunately, not only the Baldwin, but all the other standard
and mnrketal)le winter apples of the .country, partake, more or less,
of this intolerance of severe winter temperature. The Hhode Island
Greening and the Roxbury Russet are scarcely at all hardier than
the Baldwin, and the Northern Sp}' only a little hardier than these.

30 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

The Yellow Bellflower ranks only by the side of the Sp3', while the
Ben Davis, though somewhat hardier than either, is of so poor a
quality that it can never be of much value where any of the pre-
ceding can be had, eitlier bj- growth or importation. After all these
have been tested, the fact still remains that there is not found
among them one which can be grown with profit in the northern
half of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Now I know b}' experience that at meetings like this the bulk of
the attendance is from the Baldwin country, and I have been chilled
in my enthusiasm greatly to find that my brother fruit-growei-s from
the Baldwin country not only do not want any other apple for them-
selves, but they are not at all anxious for the discovery and distri-
bution of an}' rival of the Baldwin in the region where the Baldwin
will not grow. I suppose that this must all be regarded as quite
human and natui'al, yet nevertheless the interests of the few must
3-ield, in the long run, to the necessities of the many AYe who live
in the "cold north" where Baldwins, Greenings and Russets do
not thrive, feel exactly as the peach and grape-growers of southern
New E^ngland feel, in desiring at least to possess some varieties that
will make them independent for home nse, if not for market, of the
more favored regions to the south of them. And as the southern
peach and grape-growers do not seem to suffer at all from New
England competition, so, I think, in view of the wide home and
foreign market that is open to the peculiar apples of southern New
England, (and which is as free from any possible southern as it is
from more northern competition,) our Baldwin growing friends can
well aflbrd to look kindly, and even with some interest, upon the
efforts of pomologists in the "• cold belt," to find out what mav be
done to make orcharding possible there, at least so far as to yield a
home supply sufficiently abundant and cheap to make life tolerable
in our long winters of zero temperature.

I am sure that, as a State, Maine is vastly interested in the develop-
ment of fruit-growing north of the Baldwin region, which covers but
a few of her 32,000 square miles of territory. I doubt if there is a
space so large as Connecticut, in southwestern Maine, where the
standard winter apples are successfully grown on the connnercial
scale ; and when the remaining "28,000 square miles are even moder-
ately populated, with all the people may do there in the way of
orcharding, it is quite likel}' they will still make a home market for
every surplus apple of the Baldwin-growing portion of the State.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 31

Meanwhile it will be a great encouragement toward the settlement
of northern Maine to be able to show that some kinds of fruit have
been discovered that can be grown there suecessfull}-, even with the
moderate amount of care that is bestowed upon them b}' the average
farmer.

One thing in this connection is but little known that ought to be
known. It is a fact that apples which do not keep well in one
section become good keepers when grown a little farther north.
The Rhode Island Greening and even the Baldwin, grown in
Pennsylvania, are only late fall apples. But starting into growth
only two weeks later, in New England, makes them good keepers.
The little difference between Connecticut and southern Maine makes
Maine Baldwins and Greenings ver}- much the best keepers, and
therefore the most valuable and salal)le fruit, either for home use
or for export.

Now this rule holds good when you go still further north. Jewett's
Fine Red (Nodhead) is an earh' winter apple in Massachusetts ; but
although it cannot be grown more than 80 or 90 milles north of
the Massachusetts line in New Hampshire, it there becomes a very
good keei)er. Even the Gravenstein (too tender to succeed very
far north) becomes an early winter fruit along its northern limit,
and I am assured that the Duchess of Oldenburgh is one of the
standard winter apples of Russia between latitudes 55° and 60°.
The reason for this is undoubtedl}- the shortness of the growing
season in the higher latitudes.

While here, on the eastern side of America, we have as cold
winters as Russia combined with summers as long as those of
France, and warmer, yet the same rule will be found to hold good,
though not with the same apples. I doubt if we shall find many,
if an}', very long keeping apples among the apples of Russia, when
brought to this countrv. "We shall have to de[)end ui)bn our own
seedlings.

It is unfortunate that the family of apples brought by our ancestoi's
from England produces very few seedlings that are what is called
"•iron clad" in resistance to a low winter temperature. I have never
found one variety that is entireh" and reliabl}- hardy where I live.
The family of apples brought from France into Canada is a little
hardier than our New England apples, yet they onlv succeed well in
the immediate vicinit}- of the St. Lawrence river. I know of but
one Canadian apple that is truely "iron clad," and that, the "Peach

32 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCILTY.

Apple of Montreal," though brouglit from France, is prononncerl by
Prof. Biidd of the Iowa Agricultural College (who has made the
subject a studv) to be a "• stray Russian." It is certainly entirely
unlike any other Canadian apple.

Maine has quite a list of winter apples hardier than the Baldwin,
and some of tliem possess merits which entitle them to more atten-
tion than they have yet received. One of these is the Rockwood
apple, recommended and sent to me some 14 years ago by the late
John Nelson of Hallowell, but originating in Belgrade. It is not
strictly '"iron clad," bat belongs in the same list with the Red
Astrachan, Taluian Sweet and Fanieuse. Where these do well the
Rockwood may be planted with success. It is a thrifly grower, a
free bearer, and the fruit is of good size, color and quality, but in
flavor it belongs to the class of "neutrals," being neither sweet nor
sour. It is good for dessert and for baking, but not tart enough
for pies.

Undoubtedl}' the hardiest winter apple that has ever been made
widely known in this country- was produced in INIinnesota from a
Maine apple seed, or rather crab-apple seed, sent from Bangor to
the grower of the original tree in Minnesota. And this, I believe, is
indicative of the source from which we may expect many hardy
apples — Siberian crab-apple seed from fruit of trees growing among
our best apples, and fertilized in the bloom b}' their pollen. We
have already a fine seedling of this kind in Vermont, grown from a
seed of the common yellow Siberian crab, but of good size, great
beauty and excellent quality — the Northfield Beaut}', grown by
Leonard D. Cad}- of Northfield, Vt., and sometimes called "Cad}' s
Crab." It is an early winter fruit, the tree not perfectly " iron clad,"
notwithstanding its origin, yet hard}' enough for most places.

The Minnesota seedling referred to, the "Wealthy," grown bv
Peter M. Gideon of Excelsior, Minn., is becoming tolerably well
known in Maine, and as it bears very young and very full, will soon
become abundant where planted. It is apparently as hardy as
Duchess of Oldenburgh, and is much like that variety in tree and
habit of growth and fruiting. It is not as valuable for market, or
for all uses of the household as the Baldwin, and grown where the
Baldwin grows is not nearly as good a keeper. But grown where it
belongs, far north, it keeps well all winter in a good cellar. It is
soft fleshed and well flavored, but lacks acidity lor a pie fruit,
though not so decidedly as the Rockwood, being more like the

STATE' POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 33

Famcuse. In general appearance, size, color, &c., it is not inferior
to the Baldwin, and in a near market would outsell it as a dessert
fruit in the first of the season. How it will endure transportation
over long distances is yet to be thoroughly tested, but I think about
as well as Fameuse — not so well as the Baldwin.

Two apples of this vicinity (shores of Lake ]\Ienii)hreniagog)
have shown remarkable hardiness, large productiveness and good
keeping qualities, combined with good to very good quality. Tiie
first of these, Magog Red Streak, is somewhat of the shape, size
and general appearance of the Yellow Bellflower. but with more or
less striping of red upon the sunny side. The tree is hardy, thougli
somewhat subject to bark blight in some places. It grows rapidly,
and comes into free bearing when eight or ten years planted. In
some seasons the fruit is apt to be ribbed, even more than the Bell-
flower, but is always fair. It has yellow flesh, a mild acid and quite
peculiar favor, not always liked at first, but is of unquestionable
excellence as a culinary apple. Until I received the Wealthy I
considered this my best winter apple, and the Wealthy by no means
displaces it, for though better for eating it is not its equal for cooking.
The Wealthy bears younger than the Magog, and also more abun-
dantly, about in the proportion of the Baldwin to the R. I Greening
or Bellflower.

For long keeping we have to choose, as yet, between the Golden
Russet of western New York and Scott's Winter. Both are hardy,
though the Scott is the most so. In size the Scott is fully twice that
of the Golden Russet, of a fine deep red, laid on in heavy stripes
and often covering the whole fruit. Both these varieties bear too
heavily, and would be more valuable if less productive. But in
good soil, well treated, the Scott keeps up to a good medium, and is
ver}' salable. It is a perfect keeper and, unlike the russets, never
withers. Though hard and sour until February, it becomes more
mildly acid, with a high, spicy flavor in the spring, which makes it
A'ery acceptable, especiall}' as other ai)ples become scarce. Vov
cooking it is very much liked.

I give the above list, not for the country where the Baldwin
grows, but for that large part of Maine where none of the standaid
sorts succeed. I believe them all worthy of trial in such localities.
In the Northwest the}' are already well known and approved.

In addition, and by way of postscript, perhaps it would be well to
say a word about two other apples now attracting attention, and

3

34 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

recommended for extensive planting. The first of these, Mcintosh
Red, will bear all that can be said in its favor for excellence of
qualit}', beautv and productiveness, and where it does not spot it will
be a great acquisition. The tree is not "iron clad," but is hardier
than Fameuse, and a good though rather slender grower. The fruit
aA'erages with AVealthy or Baldwin in size. Its chief defect is
spotting and cracking, wliich I fear will make it unprofitable in
many places.

The Mann apple, which is being strongly pushed and wideh'
advertised, is b}- no means an "iron clad," or even a commonly
hardy tree. It winter-kills badh' with me, even worse than Pewau-
kee, which has also been highly extolled, but will not do for hard
places. In appearance and quality the Mann is an inferior R. I.
Greening, mucli inferior, but a considerably better keeper. I think
this postscript mav perhaps be worth as much to those now about to
set new, or increase old orchards, as all the rest of the paper.

NOMENCLATURE OF RUSSETS.

There is, perhaps, no variety of apple about which there has been
so much doubt and confusion as the various kinds of russet. During
the past winter, I was engaged in a quadrilateral coi'respondence on
the subject, and the result may be of interest to fruit growers,
though I regret I did not publish it at the time, when the subject
was fresh.

I think the con-espondence originated in this wa}'. I received a
letter from Mr. Charles G. Atkins, requesting some scions of Amer-
ican Golden Russet. I answ^ered that I did not think I had ever
seen an American Golden Russet, and I doubted if it could be found
in Maine. INIr Atkins would not give the matter up, and at last
obtained scions of the real American Golden Russet from West
Chester, Pa., and kindly sent me some. It is known there and in
New Jersey under the name given b}' Coxe, Sheepnose^ and else-
where as BuIlocTc's Pippin. Hon. Henry Ingalls, at all our exhibi-
tions, has maintained that an apple he exhibited was the American
Golden Russet. Hiram Pope of Gardiner, raises a delicious russet
which came from Massachusetts, and which he called the American
Golden. I sent a specimen of these to Mr. Atkins and also to Mr.

STATE POMOLOaiCAL SOCIETY.

35

Ingalls. ^Ir. Atkins found a tree at Biicksport, seventy or eisflitv
years old. which produced the same apple, very delicious, and as.
juicy in June as in JNIarch. After exchanging apples, we decided
that ]Mr. luoalls' apple and the Bucksport and Pope apple were
different, though, to settle the matter, we sent specimens to Mr.
Charles Downing. He decided, without hesitation, that the Bucks-
port and Pope apple was the one so well known and so highly
esteemed in Massachusetts as the Massachusetts Golden Russet,
the true name of which is Hunt Russet, which originated in the
Hunt family, in Concord, Mass., two hundred years ago. Mr.
Ingalls' apple, he thinks, is the American Golden Russet, known
elsewhere as Sheepnose and Bullock's Pippin. Mr. Downing remarks
that he thinks his late brother (A. J. Downing) made a mistake in
calling it ■' American Golden Russet," as it bas led to great
confusion.

In correspondence with Mr. Cole, of the firm of Hall & Cole,
extensive dealers in apples in Boston, he advises Mr. Atkins and,
myself to drop all russets but the Roxbury, as the American Golden,
he says, "is almost sweet, tough, tasteless, miserable;" but in
condemning all Golden Russets, he excepts " the old-time;-, grown
her€ in ^Massachusetts, which has a red cheek, and is as fine eating
as need be." This is the Hunt Russet. Evidenth', Mr. Cole has
not seen the genuine American Golden, or Sheepnose.

I should add that I have every year exhibited a small round ,
apple, which is entirely russet, as the American Golden. This, I:
supposed, might l)e the English Golden ; but Miss Alice Foster
informs me that, as far as she knows, it originated with Dr. Ford :
of Gardiner, and that Mr. Downing could not identify it. Our
late associate. Friend Taylor, raised the same apple and called it
American Golden It is a nice apple in December and January,
and a most profuse bearer alternate \'ears.

R. H. Gaudixek.
Oaklands, August 28.

36 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Notes on the Same Subject by Dr. Hoskins.

Since printing Mr. Gardiner's letter about the mixed-up state of
the russet question, we have been studying it up, with the help of
friends, and now think it may l)e unravelled as follows :

AMERICAN GOLDEN RUSSET.

Synonyms: Sheepnose, Bullock's Pippin. This is grown upon
Grand Isle, and our correspondent, J. T. Maconiber, says that
though small it is one of the best apples he has tasted. Downing
sa^ys it is one of the most delicious and tender apples, in flesh more
resembling a buttery pear than an apple. This is very often con-
founded with the next. Hunt Russet, which is, however, quite dis-
tinct, having a red cheek. The American Golden Russet is of wide
distribution, east and west, but is not perfectly hardy on Grand Isle,
and is therefore far from being "iron clad." Its fruit is below
medium size, rouudish-orafe, dull yellow, sprinkled with a very thin
russet. Flesh yellowish, very tender, juicy, with a very rich spicy
flavor. Season in New York, October to January. Keeps better in
Vermont. The tree is of erect growth, leaves sharplv serrate.

HUNT RUSSET.

Synonyms: Golden Russet of Massachusetts, Fay's Russet,
Husset Pearmain. This apple originated on the Hunt ftirm. Con-
cord, Massachusetts. Fruit medium in size, roundish-oWo^e, conic.
Skin golden russet with a red cheek. Flesh yellowish-white, tender,
rich, mild, sweet sub-acid. Season in Massachusetts, Januar}' to
April. This variety is not very much known out of New Eng-
land. It is as highly esteemed, where known, as the preceding, and
is a better keeper. The tree is vigorous, upright and productive,
the young shoots a clear, reddish brown. It succeeds in southern
Maine. We do not know of its being grown in Vermont.

GOLDEN RUSSET OF WESTERN NEW YORK.

Synonyms: p]nglish Russet, English Golden Russet. Tliis is an
old English variety, but first became widely known and popular as
a market apple when grown on the rich, fi-esh soils of western New-
York. The tree is thrifty, spreading, rather irregular, forming a
bushy head. The young shoots are the distinguishing peculiarity of
"the variety, compared with other russets likely to be confounded

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 37

with it, being slender, dull reddish brown, slightly downy, with
numerous .rmaU loliite dots. Undoubtedly this is the hardiest russet,
succeeding well on the banks of Lake Memphremagog. At the
same time it is one of the smallest and poorest, and needs rich soil
or heavy manuring to make it at all profitable. It is a long keeper,
but must be kept in tight barrels and in a very cool place, or it
becomes worthless from shrivelling. This is true, more or less, of
all the russets, the '"russeting" being in fact a mere open state of
the pores of the skin which allows the juice to evaporate unless kept
from the air and warmth. Fruit medium or below in size, roundish,
or roundisli-oblate, not conic. Skin very rough, color yellow, dull
russet, the skin bronzed (not red) on the sunny side. Flesh whitish
yellow, fine-grained, conipad., mild sub-acid. December to March
in New York, but keeps late in the spring when grown in northern
New England and properly cared for.

ENGLISH RUSSET.

Synonym. : Poughkeepsie Russet. As the ''Golden Russet of West-
ern New York" is reall}' an English apple, so, by the misnaming of
ignorance, the so-called "English" Russet is probably of American
origin. It is a valuable long-keeping variety, which has been quite
extensively grown in New York and New Jersey for market, but is,
we tliink. being much replaced by the large Roxbury Russet. As
grown there it is not fit for use until Februar}-, and ma}- be kept the
3ear round, according to J. J. Thomas. The tree grows very
straight, forming an upright head, with smooth, reddish-brown
shoots. The fruit is of medium size, roundish, slightly conical, and
very regularh- formed. Skin pale greenish-yellow, about two-thirds
covered with russet, wliich is thickest near the stalk. Flesh 3-ellow-
ish-white, firm and crisp, with a pleasant, mild, sub-acid flavor.
The quality of this apple is inferior even to the Golden Russet ot
western New York, and therefore the poorest of the whole four that
are likely to be confounded.

As this article is mainl}- written to distinguish these four sorts
from each other, we need not refer particularly to other russets.
The Roxbury Russet has now taken its place alongside of the Bald-
win and Rhode Island Greening as the great market apple of its
class, and is graduall}- excluding the other sorts, not because it is
better, but because it is larger and more showy. In quality it is no-
better than the two last named, and no better keeper. It is not

38 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETr.

much more hardy than the Baldwin and Greening, and cannot there-
fore be grown far north. If Russets are desired, therefore, in those
sections, that of western New York must be chosen. When we
come to amateur apples, that is, apples grown only for home use,
the old American Golden Russet and Hunt Russet are the ones to
choose for the east, though it would not be a bad thing to try the
Egyptian or Bagby Russet of southern Illinois, a good keeper, even
there, and of such high, rich flavor that it has been called the best
of all the russets. Like the Hunt and old American, it is only of
medium size, but the tree is productive.

Among russets that are not keepers, but are of the highest quality
as dessert fruit, and are quite hard}' far north, (though not stricth"
" iron clad,") we would like to call attention to two sorts which we
have growing in our own grounds. The}- are both Canadian in
their oiigin, unless, indeed, they came originally from France. One
is the Whitney Russet, a thrifty variety, fruit medium size, yellow,
with thin russetting, and an occasional shade of crimson in the sun.
Downing has this as a keeper, which cannot be correct, as it is a
fall apple in northern Vermont. In qualit}' it can hardly be sur-
passed. The other is the Bourassa, (pronounced Boo-ra-saw,)
which is a very poor grower when root-grafted, but does well top-
worked on a strong stock, and then produces bountifully of apples
varying remarkably in size on the same tree, but all with a dark
russet coat and a rich crimson cheek. In quality- the Bourassa
leaves nothing to be desired, being, when well grown, rich, soft-
fleshed, and very pear-like in qualit}^ Its season is September.

Discussion.
Hon Z. A. Gilbert, Secretary of the Board of Agriculture, was
called upon, and in reply, said : While I think there are many
points in the first paper by Dr. Hoskins deserving attention, I
hardly know what one it will be most profitable to discuss at this
time. There is, however, one point which at this moment suggests
itself as worthy of consideration ; and that is. his reference to the
Russian apples. I was especially pleased with the remark that for
long keeping varieties we must look to our own seedlings, and not
to the varieties of Russian origin. He has experimented with the
latter enough to make his opinion of great value, — and it corres-
ponds with the experience of others.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 39

I have become so completeh" disgusted with these poinological
Jack O'Lanterns, that in discussing them, I ma}- sa}' some things
more strongl}' than I ought to ; but we have been chasing these
dehisions here, in the best fruit-growing section of the State, for a
good many 3ears, — and with what result? What have we gained,
or what need we expect from them? It is about time for us to find
out what they are ; what we have got from them, and what we may
not expect from them.

Several years ago the Department of Agricultui-e imported scions
of a large number of varieties of Russian apples with the view to
secure especiall}- hardy varieties for propagation near the noi'thern
borders. The result, as we all know, is a failure. There has not
yet been obtained a single variety of a goodly winter fruit, from
something like a hundred varieties, which have received the care
and attention, time and money, of our pomological experimenters
from the east to the west.

There have been a few, two or three varieties of extremely early
fruit, which proved A'aluable and really worthy of attention in
certain localities. But we all know about eaily fruits. We have
no room for an}' more varieties here. We have no market for any
considerable amount of earl}' fruit ; we do not want to raise a large
amount for home use because we have enough already. We have
no need of special efforts in that direction.

Now what is the reason of this? May we not discuss the whole
subject of Russian fruit right here ? It is an established fact that
we need not look for late keeping varieties of apples from localities of
extremely low temperatures and short growing seasons, for the
reason that the late keeping apple requires a long season to grow.
The wood corresponds in a measure with the fruit it bears, and in
the late keeping varieties requires a full and complete season of
growth ; while in the Russian varieties both the fruit and the wood
ripen early, as they necessarily must in the short seasons of their
native localities. The Russian apples, when grovv4i in our climate,
retain their habits of early ripening, consequently the two conditions
of an extremely hardy, thoroughly *'iron clad" vaiiety and a late
keeper are not found in juxt;i4)osition, and we need not chase these
shadows in that direction any longer. The ex[)erimenters wlio have
been at work upon these numerous varieties have come to the coi\-
clusion that there is nothing valuable anicmg them for late keei)ing ;

40 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

nothing but the early ones, that we have no call for, have proved
valuable.

I expect that these views will receive some criticism, and I care
not how much ; enough, 1 hope, so that b}' the discussion we shall
be al)le to settle upon some iaets. We want more facts and less of
mere theories and speculations.

With respect to the extreme hardiness of certain varieties, I am
not prepared to speak at this time. My experience in fruit-gi-owing
has been largely in the central portion of the State. We have here
a large number of varieties of standard apples of superior quality,
both early and late keeping, and sufficiently hardy for all pi-actical
purposes ; besides a large class of native seedling varieties of excel-
lent quality and perfect hardiness, but generally early ripening.

What I have learned of ihe difficulties of fruit-growing on our
northern border has been learned from conversation and correspon-
dence with individuals in that localit}-. There is no doubt that we
want for that section varieties of extreme hardiness, but with that
we want also the qualit}' of long keeping, which as has been shown
is not to be looked for in the Russian varieties.

Mr. W. H. Pearson, of Vassal boro'. There ma}- be some merits
in the varieties of apples so often presented to our attention by
'• agents" under the name of '"iron dads " Some of them may be
good, but it seems to me that we have gone far enough in that
direction. If we confine ourselves to home-grown trees, sowing
seeds ourselves, producing trees ourselves, making such selections
as seem right, we shall avoid a good deal of useless expense, and
shall, at the same time, improve greatly our home-grown apples.

[At this point a brief discussion took place upon certain varieties of apples which
had been mentioned or inquired about. As the subject was resumed at a later period,
the report is postponed.

The following extracts from a report made by Mr. Charles Gibb, of Abbottsford,
Quo., made to the Montreal Horticultural Societj', in 1882, are introduced here as
bearing on the subject of the foregoing discussion. This report covers fifty-five pages,
and contains much valuable information in relation to the fruits of Russia and Central
Europe. I have copied onlj' such parts as seemed to be of special interest, including
the descriptions in whole or in part of a few of the many varieties of apples mentioned,
only regretting that the want of space prevents me from transcribing the entire report
to these pages. Sec]

STATE POMOLOGIC\L SOCIETY. 4^

i:XTRACTS FROM RP:P0RT ox RUSSIAN FRUITS.

BY CHAKLKS GIBB, ABBOTTSFOKD, QL'K.

* * * * ''The fruits of Western Europe and their pure
otfsprino; l)oni on tliis continent, as a nile, are not long-lived upon
the Western prairies above latitude 43|, not a success above 451 in
this Province, and that only in exceptionally favorable localities.
In Eastern Russia we tiiul fruit growing a prolitable industry in
climates decidedly more severe than that of the City of Quebec.
Hence we may expect to increase the area of fruit culture northward
upon this continent very largely."

"The uncertainty of these fruit trees of Western Europe in the
severer climates, had led to large importations by the State Agri-
cultural College at Ames, Iowa. (See Ttli Report Montreal Hort.
Soc, p. lol.) Prof. Budd had gathered there the largest collection
of fruits for severe climates, which I know to exist ; but such was
the uncertainty of noraenclature, such the difficulty of getting exact
information as to their proliable value, that the work of sorting out
the best seemed a \vork of many years. Northern horticulturists
were looking with great hope to the Russian fruits. The work could
not be allowed to rest. Some one had to go to Russia. Mr. Budd
and I went."

"■ Nomenclature in Russia is hopelessh' confused. Different
names are given to the same apple in different localities, the same
name to different apples growing in adjacent districts. So, man}-
names, however formidable the}' may sound in Russian, mean
merely round white, white sweet, white transparent, &c., names
without individuality. Fortunately, a few names have been fixed
by conunercial demand, and are known by the same names through-
out Russia."

"'One great difficulty in Russian nomenclature arises from the
strong family likeness of seedlings of like parentage. A hardy
race of the apple, seemingly more nearly allied to the wild form than
the cultivated apples of Western Europe, has been grown for many
centuries by seedling production, and has been reproducing itself
from seed. Yet this is not strange news to us. Some families of
apples, even when surrounded l)y apples of other types, have a strong
tendency to reproduce them.selves in their seedlings." * * ♦ *

42 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

On Climates.

"In this part of Canada we suffer from drought but not from
diminished rain-fall. I must explain this apparent contradiction.
England is a land of verdure, the lawns are like velvet, the trees
and thatched roofs covered with moss. What a contrast to our dry
climate, and 3et the annual rain- fall of London is nearly thirteen
inches less than that of Montreal. It is from aridity of air, and
consequent rapid evaporation that we suffer.

In Russia we find fruit cultivated largely in climates where the
conditions of extreme cold, dryness of air, and scanty rain-fall are
greatly intensified.

In the Government of Kasan, above latitude 55 where the winter
temperature is five degrees lower than in the city of Quebec, the
rain-fall a good deal less than one-half, the evaporation as great, we
find apple growing a great commercial industr^^ the industry, in
fact, in twelve peasant villages. This is the coldest profitable
orchard region of the world, and the conditions of growth deserve
study. The soil upon these exposed bluffs is a fine comminuted
dusty clay, like a " loess." For retaining moisture, for absorbing it,
for holding frost without injury to the roots, there is no better.
The dr}' fall here causes perfect maturity of growth ; the thick, fine
textured leaf does not suffer from the dryness of the air. It was
Mr. Budd, whose microscopic study of the leaves of these climates
first showed their peculiar cell structure. Thus we see that the
apple ti-ee of Kasan is a tree thoroughly adapted to the climate it
lives in. However, the cold of Kasan seems more uniform than
ours. In this Province we suffer from the warmth of the sun in the
late winter and earh' spring, warmth followed by sudden cold.
This results in "bark-bursting" and " sun-scalding" of the trunk
and lower branches. Such injury is rare in Eastern and Middle
Russia, but how much this is owing to the climate, how much to the
character of their hardy race of trees I cannot say." * * * *

" St. Petersburg is in lat. 60, so far North that the stars cease to
be visible daring two months in summer, the sun is too short a
distance below the horison. A cold coast climate; a (iaspe. or
Anticosti climate, one would suppose. A cool, short summer, a
long changeable winter, not colder on an average than Montreal,
but subject to greater extremes of sudden cold. Earh' terminate
growth is the special characteristic needed here."

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 43

Applks,

'" Anis. — This is the leading apple of the Volga, the apple tree
most highly prized, most largely grown. To the inquiry, which are
your most profitable varieties ? the reply invariabh' was Anis, I think,
iuvariabl}', my notes show no exception nor do I remember one.
Such was the verdict in all the orchards of the different towns and
villages between Kazan and Saratof. We first met with it in that
curious semi-oriental bazaar, the Nijni Novgorod fair. Here we find
the Russian peasant orchardist bi'inging large quantities of it to the
bazaar in bark boxes, usually willow bark boxes, holding about three
bnshels.

In the southern part of the Government of Kazan, in latitude 55,
the same latitude as Moscow, but 430 miles to the east of it, in a
continental climate, a climate of extremes, and yet 600 miles nearer
the North Pole than the City of Quebec, there are twelve villages
where the peasant proprietors are apple growers, the chief industry
in fact is apple growing. When we were there the little trees were
loaded with fruit, yet the thermometer had been down to forty below-
zero the winter previous. Five years before, during one da\', the
temperature on these exposed loess bluffs was — 40 Reaumur, or 58
below zero by Fahrenheit's thermometer. These low temperatures,
howevei', do not seem verified by the meteorological records in the
City of Kazan. Hearing of these low temperatures I looked for
winter injury to the trees, but did not find any traces of it.

In answer to the quei-y, which is the hardiest api^le tree you have
the tree that has stood best the most trying winters? the answer, I
believe, always was Anis. The general idea there is that it is of all
kinds known, the apple tree that can be grown the farthest North,
except what the}- call the Chinese apple, or as we would saj', the
Siberian crab, and these crabs, which are not common, are true
Siberian Prunifolias, and not less hard}' hybrids. In these villages
the apple is grown, in a good season, certainly to the value of $50,000.
In this, the coldest profitable orchard region in the world, the Anis
is noted as their hardiest tree.

Man}- species of trees become dwarfed towards the northern limit
of their growth. The most northern pines and spruces, birches
and poplars, are but little shrubs ; in the same way we find this
Anis in Kazan, especially when growing on thin soil and without

44 STATE PUMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

cultivation, loaded with fine fruit, and this, evidentl}^ not one of
their first crops, and 3"et the trees not more than six feet high. We
find little trees planted two, three, and even four together in a clump
like stalks of corn, three or four to a liill, and these clumps ten feet
apart each way. This is strictly true of some orchards, not so of
others ; for upon richer and moister soil, the trees grew somewhat
larger, and, as we went southward, at each town we stayed at, we
found the Anis larger, until, at Saratof, we saw Anis thirty-five
years planted which had attained a diameter of trunk of ten inches.
In nursery it is a slow and crooked grower such as nurserymen hate
to grow and hate to sell after they have grown them. In orchard a
slow grower. Trees in difl^erent places, pointed out as thirty years
planted, seemed very small. In old orchards at Khvalinsk and else-
where, it was considered the most long-lived tree. We saw there,
trees seventy years at the very least. These were fourteen inches
in diameter of trunk, branched low as the Anis usually is, and,
though some large limbs had been removed some 3ears ago, yet the
trees were sound in trunk and top."

* * * * ti -^Yg vvere alwavs struck by the beauty, even when
some distance off, of one variety of the Anis. This is the Anis Alui
or Pink Anis, and, I suppose, the same as the Anis Rosovoi or Rose
Anis spoken of at Simbirsk and other places on the Volga. It is an
oblate apple of full medium size, or about the size of the Fameuse,
the color of our Decarie, mostl}' a deep pink with a light blue bloom.
In these dry climates we may expect high color. When we were on
the Volga it was too early to taste it in good condition, and besides
this, it is often picked too earh', periiaps, to reach distant markets
b}' a certain time. Whether it will color and ripen on its way to
market, like a Duchess, or whether, like our St. Lawrence, it will
almost cease to mature after it is picked from the tree, I cannot sa}'.
The grain is fine, the flesh white and firm. It is really a dessert
apple of fine quality'. It often sells at two roubles per pood, that is
one dollar per thirty-six pounds, when poorer fruit is selling at
thirty cents, and under Russian care it keeps till late winter or
spring."

" Anisuvka. — Under this name Mr. Shroeder tells us of a medium
sized, flat, yellowish green apple, with bright red side, grown a good
deal about Moscow, and said to be a very good dessert fruit that
keeps a long time, in fact all winter. Farther south it would not
keep so long." ******

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOOIETl'. 45

" Antonovka. — This is the lending apple of the Russian steppes,
the king apple of that vast prairie region from Tula to the south of
Kharkof, from Kozlof to Kiev, a vast prairie region unsurpassed in
fertility by any region on this continent. It is the leading apple
over a larger section of country than any other in Europe, than any
other apple I know of. No a[)ple holds so high a rank above others
in any large section of this continent ; and yet if the Baldwin were
equally hardy I would much prefer it."

"At Kursk we still find it their leading market fruit, and on the
Bogdanoff estates, find it being planted in quantity as about the
best investment the proprietors know of. Such investments scatter
broadcast innumerable little dividends in the form of food and labor.
What a blessing to a country is a horticultural aristocracy — it ])egets
a horticultural peasantry, a home-loving, peace-loving, law-abiding
peasantry-. In Horticulture, we find the safest anchorage for a
peasant population." *****

"At Warsaw, where the climate is a cold North German rather
than a steppe climate, we find the Antonovka one of their leading
apples, but not their best, and there not a late keeper. * * *
In qualit}- it is not quite like an}- apple I know. It may, certainly,
be rated as second quality for eating and, I hope, first for cooking.
But few of the best commercial apples of this continent are of first
quality as dessert apples. ^ * * * * At Warsaw it rarely
keeps past Christmas. At Moscow, Mr. Shroeder cautiousl}' says,
till January or Fe]>ruary. In Central Russia it was often said till
March, and, I think, even April was mentioned. I doubt if it will
prove a much better keeper than our Faraeuse.

How long an apple keeps depends very largelv upon how it is
kept. The Russians handle their fruit, pack it and keep it, with
more care than we do. They seem to look upon an apple as a
living thing, to be kept alive as long as possible. If allowed to
ripen on the tree it has a rich melon flavor but then it will not keep.
All apples in Russia picked for a distant market are picked rather
earlier than we should pick them. When we arrived at Saratof, on
September 11th, the apples were all picked and shipped to Moscow.
At Tula, on September 18th, Antonovka was in huge piles in the
orchards five feet wide, covered with basswood bark n)atting. At
Orel we find what has not been shipped in an open siied in layers
with straw between them."

4(5 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

^^Aport. — This is the family of which our Alexander is a member,
a large and wideh' scattered family and often of strong family type.
No accurate notes seem to have been taken of the places where they
live and thrive." *****

"It is named Aport because imported long ago from Oporto in
Portugal, just as another Russian apple which long ago found its
wa}' into Virginia, comes back to Russia via Germany under the
name of Virginischer Rother."

" I am not sure that we saw the Alexander in Russia, though I
believe it to be grown there." * * * *

"Arabka (Arabskoe). — Under this name there are one or more
apples of decided promise At Moscow, Mr. Shroeder tells us of a
large conic apple of very deep color which is a long keeper. The
tree he finds a little tender at Moscow, but says that it is grown a
good deal in central Russia. * * * At Yolsk, on the Volga,
in latitude 52, we found in an orchard, about 12 trees in profuse
bearing, of an apple known there as Tchougounka, which jneans
cast-iron ; the fruit was roundish, of a dark purplish red, covered
with a light bloom, much like the Blue Pearmain. It was above
medium in size, although the trees were so overloaded ; a firm solid
acid fruit said there to keep two years. It also has the merit of
holding on to the tree so firmly, that I could hardly find a windfall.
It and Steklianka were the only varieties in this orchard not yet
picked, on 8th September." * * * *

" Aixad. — I am not sure that there is any apple in this famil>- of
special value. They are a family of earl}' apples, sweetish, and of
but medium size, but the trees have proved ver}- hard}-."

" Beresinsloe. — Mr. Shroeder speaks of this as a large whiteish
apple with yellow side, flesh firm but breaking, not able to bear
carriage well, but a ver}- fine autumn dessert fruit.

Beriosovka. — This we met and took a great fancy to in the Kozlof
market. As we saw it there, it was a fruit of fall medium size,
oblate, red on one side in splashes and specks ; very firm, yet
breaking, very juicy, with a fine mingling of subacid and sweetness.
The seeds were black on 13th September, yet it seemed likel}' to
keep two months." *****

"BoROviNKA {Bororitski) must be looked upon as a family name.
It was a member of this family that, long ago, migrated to this

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCrETY. 47

country and became known everywhere as the Duchess of Olden-
bnrg. This apple we did not see in Russia At Tenki, in tlie
(Toverninent of Kazan, in a peasant orchard, we saw trees in full
bearing of a fruit which both Mr. Budd and I looking carefully at it
thought to be Duchess ; but on tasting it we found it so fine in grain
and so mildly acid, that we felt that no such difference in texture
and flavor could result from change of soil and climate." * * *

''Grand Mother {Babouahkino) is described by Mr. Shroeder as
a beautiful bright red medium sized oblate apple of fine quality.
At Voronesh, Mr. Fischer says it is a good and productive tree,
and an excellent large sized apple that keeps till March. Mr.
Kegel describes it as an apple of first quality that keeps till Ma}'.
What we saw under this name were above medium size, fiat rather,
with a large thick stalk; flesh white, firm, breaking, juicy, fine
grained, unripe, but showing ever\- sign of fine qualitv, and of being
a long keeper. Its appearance is against it, yet these hard}' long
keepers deserve thorough trial."

"Red Koroshavka {KoroshavJia AJni) is one of those strik-
ingly beautiful apples one cannot forget. It has the color of our
Victoria, a bright deep pink, and any part not so colored is as ncarh'
as possible pure white. It is usually of medium size, often above,
regular in outline, and never ril)bed liked Pink Anis. Like Victoria,
its flesh is a pure white, and on 2lJth August, firm, crude acid, not
ripe enough to fairly judge. This tree, like the Anis, when grown
in the North is dwarf in habit, and where broken down by weight
of snow, sound at the heart, and evidenth' a young and abundant
bearer. At Tenki it was said to keep till January'."

'•'■ Skrnisopff'l. — Dr. Kegel speaks of this as an excellent table
apple that keeps until the following Summer, and says that the tree
endures the coldest Winters at St. Petersburg, and has been grown
at Moscow, Tula, «fcc. Mr. Shroeder says it is a medium or small-
sized apple, striped (but perhaps this only on one side, I am not
sure,) a very hardy tree, an ai)ple of really good quality ; good for
dessert and cooking, that keeps sometimes till August. Tlie tree
has branches like a Scott's Winter, which cannot easily be torn out.
The fruit, as we saw it, green, with a little dull red, beginning to
appear on one side, and very heavy. Flesh grccni.sh, juicy, rather
tender, crude, and but very mildly acid, when ripe lacking acid one

48 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

would think, otherwise quite good. A good kite keeper for cold
climates."

"The Zelonka Moldavlm of Voronesh is an apple I wish to draw
special attention to. The specimen we had was large oblong, a solid
api)le with a texture somewhat like a Rhode Island Greening, firm,
acid, with very little sweetness. We got it at Voronesh on 13th
Sept., and this description was made when tasted at Warsaw on
Oct. 4th. It had been kept in our apple bag but had not suffered.
Mr. Fischer showed us trees which seemed hardy and healthy, the
fruit has the points of a first-rate cooking apple, and is a fair eating-
apple, a A^ariety of great promise."

TrrovKA, {Titus apple.) — A large handsome fruit to be seen in
quantity, in all the markets of the Volga, and of Middle Russia. It
looks like a large ribbed, elongated Duchess, and on account of its
large size and attractive color, very salable and therefore valuable.
At Simbirsk it is considered one of the most profitable. At Tenki,
near Kazan, it is a success, both in nursery and orchard, and from
what we saw would seem to have been grown there for man\- ^ears.
At Tula we see one very old tree of it, a survivor of an ancient
orchard, killed by a severe winter many years ago. It is therefore
a tree that thrives in the severest climates. It would not be safe to
assume it to be quite as hardy as Anis of Autonovka, 3-et it is not
very far from it. The flesh is coarse, but juic}- and mildly acid,
quite good, not at all disappointing, rather better than Duchess,
because less acid. In season it is not one of the earliest, yet is a
summer or late summer fruit." * * * *

Virginischer Rosenapfle. — It is strange how a fruit may wander
to distant lands, and generations after, return to its native land
unrecognized. We first saw this in the nursery of the Pomological
School at Proskau, and Mr. Budd declared that it must be the
" Fourth of July." We then looked up the east of the fruit in the
museum and so it seemed to be. Why should it have the name
Virginia unless it had been there, and how in those earl3- days get
there except via England. Yes, we may suppose it to have been
included in those importations from Russia, made during the lifetime
of the late Andrew Knaight, and thence found its way to Virginia.
Its name becoming lost, it was grown westward and northward in
America as the Fourth of July, and returns to Russia, the land of

STATE POMOLOOICAL SOCIETY. 49

its ancestors, even if not the land of its birth, as the Yirginischer
Rosenai)fel."

'• Of the coast ai)ples in Russia I seem to know very little. We
bad no opportunity of sc^eing them in bearing. The climate is not
our climate, yet exi)erienoe is valiial)le. I)r Kegel selected out of a
longer list 41 kinds which he recommended, and out of these he
marked ten kinds with double stars. These ten kinds are Anto-
novka. Aport, (autumn), Uorovinka, Belui Naliv. Red Summer
Calville, Koritschnevoe (Zimmetapfel). Koiitschnevoe Ananasnoe,
Polosatoe Novgorodskoe, Skvosnoe Naliv, Skriusapfel, Titovka "

REPORT OF THE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.

GKAXVILLK FEUXALD, OF HARRISON.

The year 1882 in our State, although disappointing the well-
grounded expectations of the orchardists, has yet a lesson of
encouragement to all, and it may be safe to assert that the faith in
fruit culture as worthy to lead most other branches of farming, and
thorough determination to make it so, is as well established in the
minds of our farmeis as an}' other sentiment or resolve.

A digest of the reports on the condition of general fruit-culture in
the United States, submitted to the last meeting of the American
Pomological Society at its session in Boston, in 1881, will show that
in every State from Maine to Texas, and in many western and in all
the Pacific States, the subject of fruit-culture is receiving incieased
attention, and is only next to wheat and corn-growing in the i-egards
of the best and most intelligent agricultui'ists.

The last year opened with great promise of an abundant crop of
fruits. If blossoms are a reliable indication of a fruitful year, we
were certainly justified in ex|)ecting a rich harvest; but latei' on,
certain causes consi)ired to blight the young growing fruit, and the
hopes of the sanguine orchardist were sadly disappointed. Yet
there remained some encouraging conditions, and spite of the small
crop of inferior quality of fruit, a handsome display graced the
tables of the annual exhibition, and the prices of apples since harvest
time to the present have so stimulated the belief in the success of
orcharding, that the aspects of fruit-growing at the present time

4

50 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

warrant lis in asserting that at no past period has it stood on so
stable a footing as now.

By a careful comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of
Maine with other prominent fruit-growing States and territories, as
revealed in the reports from diverse sections to the American
Pomological Societ}', two years ago, it is certain that we have fewer
of the obstacles to successful fruit-culture in Maine than exist in
many States renowned for their fine climates and fertile soils. It
is a fact that in nearly every State south of the latitude of soutliern
Ohio, especially in those States near the Gulf of Mexico, disastrous
frosts nearly every year, in March and April, destroy every sign
and promise of fruit for the year. The winters are far more severe
in Kentuck}' than in Maine in their effects on fruit trees. The
committee from that State report several disadvantages suffered by
orchardists there, as follows: "Chiefly among them are the
different species of insects that pre}' upon the fruit and tree ; climatic
influences, such as scalding by the piercing rays of the summer sun,
and the alternate freezing and thawing in winter."

If we examine the statements of expert witnesses from the various
States west and south respecting obstacles to success in fruit-cul-
ture, we shall find that they have all the obstacles which retard our
progress, and in some places, many besides. At Norfolk, Va., the
pear-blight and a generally demoralized condition of the climate for
eight or ten years, was the complaint. Ohio reports an ordeal of
sudden and severe changes of weather — so cold, indeed, as to kill
the hardy Snyder blackberry, and b}' contrast, a week of heat in
midsummer recording 98° to 104°. The report further sa3-s :
"Disease and insect depredations are the chief causes of failure.
Climatic influences sometimes sweep away the entire crop. Apples,
peaches, pears, cherries and plums, are all injured by the curculio.

* * * The scab affects the peach, pear and apple, sometimes
so badl}' that they are entirely' worthless." From Georgia, reports
of spring frosts, borers and fungoid diseases affecting peach culture,
phylloxera the grape, curculio the plum, with pear-blight, show that
in tliat famed sunny region no exemption is enjoj'ed from man}' of
the obstacles to success that afflict us. The reports from Arkansas
and Indian Territory show great damage by frosts, severe drought,
twig-blight of apple trees, and about a dozen varieties of depredating
insects. In Texas, April frosts sometimes destroy the peaches and
grape crops, while fungoid diseases of the apple and pear frequently

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 5|

cause deca}' of the fruit. "While New Mexico is reported as free
from iusect depredations or diseases affecting the fruit interest,
jet the ^larch and April frosts are noted as an obstacle to fruit-
culture.

^Many interesting and highly instructive suggestions are noticed in,
the various reports of transactions and discussions of other Horti-
cultural societies. The veteran poraologist, William C. Strong of"
Brighton. Mass., in an address delivered before the State Horticul-
tural Society, laments the " sore evil" which has afflicted every sec-
tion of the land in the matter of numerous varieties of inferior fi'uits..
He feelingly exclaims: "What immense injury has beeu done to,
pear-culture, for example, b^' the dissemination of second, third
and fourth rate kinds which come to be onlj" a vexation and a nuisance •
to the producer !" He makes a noteworthy confession in the declara-
tion that •' the nurserymen are answerable for this state of things."
He furthermore condemns emphaticall3', the practice of "offering
prizes for long lists of kinds ;" and sa3"S to the society, " now let us,
publish the simple truth, that there are but few kinds worthy of
genei-al culture." In this expression of disapprobation of multiply-
ing inferior kinds of fruits, the speaker was joined by Hon. Mar-
, shall P. Wilder, who said that in testing new varieties of fruits for
many years past, he had expended twenty or thirty thousand dollars.
Mr Wilder said, — referring to apples for exporting: " of all the
apples exported from Boston, ninety per cHMit. are Baldwins "

The wide range of topics which are legitimate subjects of discussion,
and pioperly within the sphere of labor belonging to horticultural
societies is worth}' of the attention of this society. We find kindred
organizations in other States working vigorousl}" to promote other
interests than those belonging merely to fruit growing. For instance,
the subject of arboriculture — the planting of trees in forests or
groves, or for the adornment of lawns, parks, streets and common
highways, forms a prominent theme for discussion and treatment
by original essays in several societies which are the largest and most
influential on the continent.

The rapid destruction of our native forests and the increasing
demand for timber and fuel in our country is a cause for much alarm
to the industrial economist, and nowhere is the subject receiving
more earnest attention than in the Dominion of Canada. The
Government, seconded b}' the efforts of influential local societies,
and by the arguments of some of the most intelligent citizens, is

52 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

taking active measures towards a conservation of the valuable
timber resources of the various provinces, and it is also suggested
to engage in the attempt to establish tree-growing on the extensive
prairies of Manitoba. The able reports on this subject, with
accompan3-ing map, showing the northern limits of the principal
forest trees of Canada, east of the Rocky Mountains, published in
the transactions of the Montreal Hoiticultural Society and Fruit-
growers' Association of the Province of Quebec for the year 1881,
is a forcilile reminder of a dut}- which our State owes to her citizens
to initiate measures for the care and economical use of her remain-
ing supply of timber. And it seems to be one of the appropriate
functions of a society like our own to exercise its influence to edu-
cate tlie public mind on this most important of subjects pertaining
to the agricultural and commorical prosperity of the State.

There are man}' [)owerful I'easons why the sulijeet of foivstiy and
the planting and protection of trees should be a prominent matter of
investigation. Rut it may be thought that our Society, under its
present name and organization, cannot properly include that with
all other topics belonging to the undoubted sphere of its work. If
so, and it is believed to be desirable to enlarge its sphere of useful-
ness and employ it in a new line of duties, I think it can be easih'
accomplished by giving our society a new name, and b}- means of
slight constitutional changes if necessar}-, endow it with ample
power to devote itself to the betterment of some phases of our agri-
culture, from the consideration of which we are now virtually
debarred.

Two years ago, your corresponding secretary was a member of a
committee to consider the propriety of changing the title of this
society from Maine Pomological Society to Maine Horticultural
Society. It was subsequentl}' reported that it was believed by said
committee that any change of name of this society' was inexpedient.
Since that time, I think I have seen certain reasons why it might be
for the advantage of our State and the industrial welfare of its
people, that we might be empowered in some way to adapt and
apply our energies to some branches of inquirv and labor, other
than those strictly embraced in the special subject of Pomology.

The magnitude of the fruit growing and shipping operations
in some of our noithwesterly States, and the almost marvellous
increase of the demand for our apples in foreign countries is exer-
cising the minds of fruit-culturists of those States on the matter of

STATE PO.MOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 53

improvin<i the present tacilities for direct transportiition of fruit from
the whtuves of the principal lalve cities throngh the St. i.invrence to
the Liverpool and London markets. In suggesting the iniporta.nce
of securing government appropriations to aid in enlarging certain
hiland channels of navigation for the passage of ocean steamei's, b^-
which their objects might be attained, the possibility of interference
and opposition from those interested in the trans-shipment of western
produce from the principal Atlantic ports, whence the bulk of our
fruits now go forward by steam conveyance has occurred to them ;
as if the subject of speedy and cheap transportation of western
Iruits to foreign ports could be inimical to the interests of either the
apple-growers of the eastern States or the proprietors of the ocean
cari-yiiig-trade. Why we should wish to use an}- obstacles for the
prevention of the economical transmission of fruit from the far west
to Eur()|)e, I cannot comprehend. The excellent quality and well
known reputation of Maine apples in distant markets render it
unnecessary that we should feel an}- jealousy of the success of even
the most highly favored sections in the matter of seeking a inai-ket
for our own .increasing products. Maine, with the maritime prov-
inces of Canada, constitutes the very best located position for foreign
couDnerciai operations in fruit of any section of the continent

It has njoreover, all the essential requisites for growing the l)est
fruits in unlimited abundance. A million barrels of the best qualit}'
of Baldwin applies per year is not an extravagant estimate of the
capal)ility of our State to raise for a foreign market within the next
twenty-five vears, if our farmers and orchardists improve well the
advantages within their control. At tlie lowest probable price, that
will be equal to an income of Si. 000, 000 and at average annual
prices, not much less than $3,000,000.

A nota1)le invention is reported from INTontreal of interest to ship-
pers of fruit to foreign ports, by which some of our tender and
perishalile fruits can be kept for months in good condition and even
endure the risks of an ocean voyage to Europe. The inventor, Mr.
George A. Cochrane, made a ver}- satisfactory test of his process by,
putting awa}- pears, apples and tomatoes about the 23d of Septem-
ber, which were mostl}- in excellent condition on the 0th of Decem-
ber. He also reported that he had transported melons, tomatoes
and such like delicate fruits to the London market the past summer
(1881) in perfect condition.

54 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

The following volumes of reports have been received, since the
last annual meeting, to wit :

Proceedings of the eighteenth session of the American Pomolog-
ical Society held in Boston, September 14th, loth and IGth, 1881,
from Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, President

Transactions of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society for the
year 1882. Part 1. from Robert Manning, Secretary.

Eleventh annual report of the Secretary- of the State Horticultural
Society of Michigan, 1881.

Seventh report of the Montreal Horticultural Society- and Fruit-
growers' Association of the Province of Quebec, for the year 1881.

The following paper was then read and followed b}- discussion :

ON THE RAISING OF HEALTHY AND HARDY ORCHARD

STOCK.

BY J. E. BENNOCH, OF OROXO.

The subject that I have selected for this occasion is one which I
think of great importance, and one that is hardly ever thought of,
except by a few. Until within a very few years past, one seldom if
ever heard the question asked concerning the raising of hardy trees,
but of recent date inquiries come forth in regard to the causes of so
many tender and worthless varieties, or generall}' of trees of any
variety, and this has become a topic of much discussion and study.
All know that in all orchards or grounds contai>iing fruit trees, there
are more or less tender and d^-ing, when all ought or should be in a
healthy and vigorous condition. In this state of things, time, labor
and money are wasted. There is a cause as a rule in nature for
all things, and there must be a cause for this deterioration, as I can
place it under no other term ; and I shall endeavor to show to a
great extent, if not full}', where the error lies, and the causes that
produce this national waste and misfortune. I think the problem
can be solved that will finally exclude and do away with degenerated
and tender fruit stock, or at least in a measure.

Many are the disappointments in purchasing trees for hardy
varieties, after a few seasons of care and trouble in watching their
growth and waiting for promised results, to find that they are in a

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 55

fepl)le condition. One will tell you tliey need di-essing, another Avill
say your ground is not suitable ; and you are at a loss to know what to
do yourself, and at last will give up trying to raise an}' fruit or
trees. In all the occupations of life stud}' is required.

The breeder of animals is constanth' studying for the improve-
ment of his stock that he may gain valuable points over foi'mer
3-ears. first starting from the right source, the point is easilv gained ;
so it is with the vegetable kingdom, it requires thought, study and
experiment to arrive at a sure foundation. We expect losses to a
greater or less degree in attaining what we seek ; but perseverance
will surely win. No person of sense would think of starting with
sickly, degenerated stock in the animal kingdom, knowing or even
thinking that they would produce health3% robust results — if he did,
I am quite sure his labor would be crowned with bitter disappoint-
ment. It is the same with all animated nature, and, as a rule, like
begets like.

The present system of producing fruit stock is ver}- much on the
degenerating order. In order to produce good healthy fruit stock,
the seed germ must be obtained from healthy native trees of as
good quality as can be had. If you want to test the fruit and are
seeking for improved vai-ieties to be used for grafting purposes, you
need not care so much. I should discard all seed from giafted fruit
in order to produce healthy stock ; you can test this experiment by
planting a row of seed from a native tree by the side of a row of
seed from grafted fruit, which will tell you which stands the winter
the best. You can see a difference in the growth as to hardiness
and tenderness, — you will find in ninet3--nine cases in a iiundred
the natural fruit stock is the best: there is less winter killing, it
resists the cold and piercing winds better than the stock from
grafted sted.

Another thing : using stocks from grafted seed, and using scions
from grafted trees, tends to degeneration, with no improvement as
to hardiness ; but, on the other hand, in using s(;ions from grafted
trees or stock, upon natural seed stock, is advancing oile step
toward hardiness, or rather a slight improvement in that direction ;
but' if l)y chance, and there are possil)ilities of obtaining fine varie-
ties of merit and worth, propagating from natural seed, place the
scions on to natural fruit stock, and you are likely to meet with
results desired. There is no doubt in my mind but tliis is a correct
rule to produce good healthy trees ; and I have no doubt but degeu-

56 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

eracy commences In' using grafted stock upon gi-afted stock, and M'
using seed from such stock, the result is furtner accomplished. We
of course have good varieties from grafted seed, but generalh* there
is some "out" with them. The .St. Lawrence, supposed to be a
seedling of the Fameuse, which to many is of fine flavor, has its
defects ; first, it spots, which is fatal to its character, it loses its
flavor early, grows soft, and generally cankery or dry rot. The
tree is of a tender nature. I think the variety is one of the kind
that is likely to run out like the Ortl}- and some others, by continual
grafting.

It requires the utmost care to raise pear seedlings from grafted
stock seed. I expended twenty-two dollars for pear seed, and did
not raise one single plant This seed I had from difl:erent parties.
I did not give up trying. I was in Boston and went into the seed
department at Faneuil Hall to purchase one more quarter of a pound.
The dealer had it on hand but told me he would not warrant it to
grow, but that he knew whei-e he could procure what he called
"wild seed." He explained to me that it was from the native
natural tree, and that he would send me some as soon as he obtained
it, which he did, onh- one-half ounce being my share among others
to whom he had promised it. The result was, I raised a crop of
tine seedlings, only a very few showed any signs of tenderness.

There is one thing more that produces tender trees, and a verdict
of " guilty" should be pronounced on the nurseryman who raises and
sends them out for sale, not as nature planned, but as man sought
to improve them by cutting off their tap root. After using the
grafted seed they resort to this practice claiming that it is the ver}'
life of the tree, then by applying strong dressing causing a forced
growth which cannot be otherwise than tender. Bj^ growing so
qnickl3- it does not give time to ripen np its wood. In this' direction
come thousands of tender trees. This is not all that nurserymen
are guilty of ; in producing tender stock tbe^' take slips of roots six
to eight inches long and set on to the growing end of a scion. This
is done in work-shops through the winter months, being placed in
sand in a cool cellar until wanted for setting or planting in the spring,
which is done in a rich plat of ground lor the purpose — a perfect
hot-bed. This is another way of producing tender stock. These
things are evils of a bad order, — I see no way to remedy it, but for
each one to raise his own trees. You can get fruit sooner and you
will kno"w that b}- raising your own trees, what you have, b}- graft-

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 57

ing at three years old with scions from bearing trees, you will not
have to wait long I'or fruit I think by doing this, an improveuient
will be made in orcharding that will result in a great degree of hard-
iness to the trees, and that is what all growers of fruit should aim
for, and not be obliged to buy from Western parties and not know
Avhat they are purchasing. Trees for orchards would be better to
[)lant or set near the locality where they are raised. It is not a hard
task to raise a small nursery of two thousand or more, or less, as
may be wanted. The sooner our feeble and half hardv varieties are
cut down and replaced by healthy natives, re-grafted to good valu-
able sorts, tlie better it will be for all concerned. The idea of plant-
ing out anytliing in the fruit line under the representation of being
•• half hardy." is not what Maine fruit growers want. We want the
pure, hard}' stocks to bi'gin with, and I have no doubt the results
will be acceptable, and all will enjoy the fruits of their labor.

I think in all localities there are some good valuable native varie-
ties that should be disseminated, and propagators of such could
exchange witli their neighbors and others. Most people will be
seeking after new varieties and they will always be wanted b}' ama-
teurs and small orchardists, of which there are man^'. The com-
mercial fruit grower is better off with less varieties, but if good sorts
present themselves, they should be cared for, experimented with and
disseminated. We have of late, many new kinds that are already
making their mark, such as Wealthy, Rolfe, etc. ; also some that
are being introduced that I fear will turn out to be something that
man}' of us knew of before. One lor instance, the New Bruns-
wicker ; and I very much have my doubts in regard to the INIcIntosh
Red, I have raised what I had for tlm variety for the past two years
and I feel verv well acquainted with it. Our aim is for hard\' trees
and generous producing orchards, and it is our duty to try and make
the im[)rovenient, as 1 ver}' well know it can be accomplished by
study and work, and these two things can conquer all things as they
have ever done.

T. jM. IMkimull, West Gloucester. From Mr Bennoch's paper
I get the impression that he does not favor imported trees — those
raised elsewhere than in this State. 1 am interested in this business.
If one locality is better than another, I would like to get light. I
would like to hear from some practical orchardist who has had

58 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

experience in growing orchards find fi'iiit, and who has obtained
Irnit trees from different localities.

Bennoch. Thousands of trees have been brought into Penobscot
county, and I will venture to say that ver^' few of them are in a
flourishing condition. I think our own trees are best. I don't
believe in buying trees of foreign growers.

The President. A few years ago I set out about a hundred trees
which were raised by Mr. E. K. Whitney of Harrison. Never in
ray experience (and I have set a great man}' trees, of all sorts) have
I seen so fine trees as he sent me. Of the whole number of trees
there was not a root broken or cut. The roots were coiled up and
packed in moss, and when the trees arrived the}' were all ready for
planting. How he managed to take them up and pack them so
skilfully I cannot understand. Ever}' one of them lived ; which I
attribute to the great care with which they were raised and handled.
I am sorry to say Mr. Whitney has gone out of the business.
I have sometimes ordered trees of agents, and must confess that I
have not saved one in ten of them.

Ml'. Dow. I think the great trouble is that generally trees are
not taken up and packed properly. I have bought a great many
which have come in bad condition. Many of the roots were cutoff.
I am now trying Maine trees and they are doing well.

Capt. F. C. Jordan, Brunswick. I have set western trees and
thought they were as good as Maine trees, but am now satisfied they
are not. I had fifty from INIr. Alfred Smith of Monmouth, mostly
Baldwins, several years ago ; they are all alive and have grown well.
I had fifty more from Mr. AVhitney of Harrison, the same year ;
they ai-e all alive. I found all good roots. 01 all the trees T have
had from Maine, I have never lost one. Of the western trees, last
winter and last summer, I lost twelve of the finest trees I had. Two
Nonesuch died in the winter and the rest are all dying. I had
twenty-five Baldwins from abroad, the best part of them died last
spring and summer. That looks as if something was the matter
with western trees, because they are on the same piece of ground,
received the same treatment and were set about the same time. 1
set them all out myself and know they were carefully set out; they
are of the same va,rieties. I shall not buy any more New York
trees. 1 think Maine is the right place for us to get trees.

S. F. Strout, AVest Falmouth. I am a new beginner. Last
spring, somebody visited me with a picture book, and I subscribed

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCrETY. 59

for and now find myself possessed of .1 large numhor of Ben Davis
and another kind which I Avill not mention. I want to know
what to do. I have come quite a distance to attend this meeting.
I want to know about this matter of grafting, especial!}' the s^'stem
of double-working ; perhaps it ma^- be a necessit}- for me to re-top
some Ben Davis.

The President. This is a pertinent question. I once had a
large number of trees of early varieties, which I wished to change
to Bellflowers. I wrote to Mr. C. G. Atkins, who is eonstantl}'
experimenting in such matters. He said it was a mooted point,
and many persons thought the character of the stock might more or
less influence the scion ; he was not prepared to sa}'.

S. Richardson. I should like to have some one give us informa-
tion upou that point. I have Uuchess of Oldenburgh and Ben Davis
trees which I want to graft to other kinds.

Gilbert. I can sa}* to the gentlemen that the}' might have done
a great deal worse than to plant the Ben Davis, for that is one of
the best stocks to start with that can be planted. They have onl}'
to change it into what the}' want. AVhat they want will depend in
a great measure on soil and location. If they have healthy stock
they have not made a mistake, so far. I wish to say a word about
hardy nursery stock, which I understand to be the subject before
the Society for discussio'n at this time. I no more think of losing
an apple trcse set out in my orchard than I do of one of my family
dying. 01 course sickness enters our family circles, and people die
of old age ; but I say, unless some accident befalls it, I no more
think of failing to grow an orchard tree than I do of failing with my
other crops It is as certain as my hill of corn or as any of my
farming operations. It is requisite to start with good stock and
put it upon good soil. What is good stock? One that is healthy.
We have had a great deal of bad and unhealthy stock sold out of
nurseries in the State of Maine. The soil usually devoted to nursery
growing, especially the commercial stock, designed for sale, has
been alluvial soil ; the better kind of plains land. These lands
have been used for that purpose because the soil was mellow and
easily worked. When you come to transplant trees grown on such
soil to the high-land soil where our best orchards grow, not a cpiarter
of tlicm will survive in a healthy condition, except in very favorable
seasons. No order ever taken in INIainc, for trees grown on such

60 STATE POMOLOGICAL SUCIETY,

soil, has proved valuable, or ever will. Yet I know of hundreds of
acres of nurser}' stock standing to-day in Maine on just that kind of
soil. If you want a healthy stock, grow a healthy tree on ^oiir
high, rocky, natural soil. 1 was glad to hear in the paper bj- Mr.
Bennoch a recommendation to farmers to grow their own trees. I
will not dwell upon that point, but you can see the advantage of
growing them upon soil where you can produce a tree which will be
healthy after it is grown. You may take such stock as that, take
the Ben Davis ; take your Haas ; take many others of those varieties
which people have had forced upon them at fancy prices, and graft
them with what you want. Now what do you want? I don't know
of how many of the celebrated orchardists of this State I have asked
this question : " What are your most profitable varieties of apples?"
and have almost invariably received this "old fogy" answer: "Bald-
win R. I. Greening, Bellflower" — and there they stop. If that is the
sum of the wisdom of the best orchardists of Maine, that the}' oI)tain
the best results from an orchard of Baldwins, Bellflowers, and R. I.
Greenings, why in the name of Heaven are we chasing after russets,
crab apples, and the Lord knows what? Is it business-like? Is it
sensible? We want to apply our good common sense to this ques-
tion as we do to other matters where our business is successful, and
not be in trouble all the time about new things.

Question. Would you not add Northern Spv and Roxbury
Russet?

Gilbert. I was talking with a gentleman who has been a suc-
cessful farmer in every sense of the word, in the southeiTi part of
Penobscot count}-, and he said the most profitable enterprise he ever
engaged in was raising Baldwin apples. This winter it was m}'
privilege to see a very creditable exhibition of fruit. I met a man
well versed in fruit-growing, and asked him what were the most
profitable varieties for commercial purposes? And the answer was,
" Baldwins, R. I. Greenings, Bellflowers." I went into the southern
part of Franklin county and talked with successful orchardists there.
I raised the question, "What is the most profitable single variety of
fruit for commercial purposes in Franklin county?" They said " the
Baldwin." I asked what would ^'ou add ? Ansiver. " R. I. Green-
ings and Bellflowers, and the Roxbury Russet in localities where
the soil is adapted to it." That to a young American, or to a man
starting out for the first time in fruit growing, would sound old
fog3'ish ; but within the last fift}' or seventy-five years we have been

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Ql

experimenting in this countiy with two or three thousand varieties
of apples, and we liave not yet found anything that excels the good
old varieties, r)ald\vins, R. I. Greenings and BellHowers. The wis-
dom of this State seems settled n[)()n that jioint.

Stroi't. T have been told tluit the P>en Davis would l)e profitable
to raise for a late keeper.

GiLiJEUT. (^ood looks will go a great wa^'s sometimes, but if I
was situated as you are I should not dare to base an expectation on
a market fruit so inferior in quality as the Hen Davis. AVe do not
care so miicli for extremely late keeping apples as we have done in
the past, because we get early apples from the south in better con-
dition than formerly. The}' will be better and better as means of
transportation are improved. We don't want to keep apples after
the fii'st of Jul}', because new apples come then. The market does
not call for old apples in August ; hence an extremely late keeping-
apple may not sell upon that quality alone.

QuESTTOx. Are there nurseries in this State where we can pro-
cure such trees as we want for high land ?

Gilbert. I cannot answer the question with certainty. I do
know of some good nurseries that are putting out good trees ; but
how many, I have no means of knowing.

Many of our nurser3men have given up because they could not
compete successful!}' with the western nurserymen. These sharp
men, who make a special business of making sales, get the field, so
the business has greatly failed, and every orchardist had better take
a good piece of ground and raise for himself a patch of trees, and
take good care of them, keeping the groinul clean, as a sui)ply to
draw from to enlarge his orchard, and thus keep his stock good.

The Secretary. I have onl}' a word to say. I do not believe
it makes much difference whether a tree is grown in IMaine, INIassa-
chusetts, Connecticut, or New York. I do not believe it is a
question where it is grown, so nnich as how it is grown ; 1 do not
understand that this Society has undertaken, (although it has done
what it could to encourage the production of IMaine trees as a home
industry,) or has gone so far as to say that Maine is at present
producing all the trees it wants ; nor that the Society takes the
position that a tree mufit be grown in Maine. The important ques-
tion is, hoio the tree is grown, how it is transplanted ; how it is cared
for in the nursery ; not where. And lor the information of every-
bod}' who asks for information, we designed at this meeting to ask

Q2 STATE POMOlOGICAL SOCIETY.

nurserymen of the State to make definite returns to us of what they
had for sale, and what they would have in the future, that we might
publish a definite statement to answer such questions as gentlemen
ask. This has not been accomplished ; but 1 think we can at this
meeting give such notice to the nurserymen in the State as to
induce tliem to make returns which can be published hereafter
in our proceedings. If we can, it is desirable that we should do it.
We want to give them a gratuitous advertisement, if they will
furnish us the information.

Merrill. I think it is the worst thing we can do to recommend
growing trees for our own use. We may get a good many ideas by
growing trees that will be profitable, as fruit-growers. I find the
best orchards in the State, or as good as any, coming from western
New York, raised by men who have had thirty or forty years expe-
rience. I am consideral>ly indebted to New York and Pennsylvania
men for things I have learned in fruit growing. I think when we
discard these men we are giving ourselves away.

The President. These trees are raised in mellow soil, and grow
rapidly. Take these trees and transport them long distances, tied
up a month before setting out, then exposed to cold winds, and set
them on hard soil, and they cannot do well.

Jordan. In speaking of western trees, I do not mean to say
there are no good western trees. The trees I had of Whitney were
grafted in the limbs ; also of Smith. New York trees are grafted
in the butt ; they die easily — don't seem to be hardy. In the New
York trees I didn't see anything but the graft. I have no trouble
about making one of those trees live a year or two, but cold winters
kill them. I don't think it makes any diflference where the root
of a little tree is grown ; I think it will grow as well in one place as
another.

Gilbert. I dislike to have this meeting ailjourn without repudi-
ating any sweeping assertions with regard to the worthlessness of
New York or Maine trees. I do not quarrel with nurserymen, whether
they grow trees in Maine or New Yorlv. I have repeatedlv stated that
in order to secure success we must have good trees to start with.
If the gentleman who denounces Maine nursery trees bases his judg-
ment upon the trees sold and offered for sale for several years past
at Mechani(; Falls, by a person celebrated in connection with the
" scythe sharpener," I should agree with him.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETi'. (53

Gentlemen,* the only tree that I have lost in the last twenty-five
years, dying without any apparent cause, in my orchard, was a pur-
chased tree. Nearly all of ni}" trees were grown in Maine from the
seed, and I could point you to thousands grown in the same way,
and planted and now doing perfectly satisfactory dut»»\ Man}- of
you are acquainted with the locality of North Monmouth, celebrated
for its thrift}' orchards. The^' are grown in the wa\' I have recom-
mended ; grown in Maine and transplanted ; making some of the
best orchards in the State. Examine the splendid orchard on the
grounds of the Insane Hospital, Augusta, and you will see only
trees grown from the seed in the State of Maine. To leave the
impression that none of our Maine grown trees are good for any-
thing would be most unjust. I make no issue about the compara-
tive merits of western trees : but I can cite 30U to some of our best
orchards as having been grown in tliis State. I know men don't
want to wait six years for trees to grow from the seed, but gentle-
men if you are going into the orchard business, and live so long, in
six years from now 30U will want to set more trees, and if you
don't plant the seeds, 30U must purchase trees. So if you plant a
nurserj- this spring, you will find use for the trees and your neigh-
bors will want some. You will be adding to the wealth of your
neighborhood and doing good for the world, if your trees are well
grown, on suitable soil.

Discussions ox some Varieties of Apples.

Golden Russets. Gilbert. Allusion was made in Dr. Hoskins'
paper on tiie nomenclature of russets, to the Golden Russcit of west-
ern New York, as being a remarkable bearer, — and it was recom-
mended for cultivation. I would like to hear from members on that
point, — esi)eciallv from those of the northern part ot the State. I
should take some exceptions to the high recommendation given to it.

In the first place it will be well to set ourselves right as to the
variet}' which is meant. Tliere are several varieties of apples intro-
duced from western New York, under the name of Golden Kusset.
The one which I understand to be refen-ed to by Dr. Hoskins bears
a high reputation in western New York. [Exhibits specimens from
the exhibition table.] It is grown extensively in this county and
throughout the State. It grows on the twigs, which arc slender and
quite naked until near the ends, — hanging on the tree in a drooping
form. The fruit is not very plentiful on the tree, one single apple

(34 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

ill a place, — not in clusters. Yon all know what the r#sult is where
apples grow in that manner. Tlie ti-ee never yields barrels of fruit.
ThcM' should grow in clusters. — load up the tree — if you are to get
a large number of barrels. I don't know what the ex[)erience of
others lias l)den, but in my experience, and in the observation of
hundreds of orchards in this State I never have seen a tree of that
variety tliat I called well loaded with fruit. Yet it is a passably
good fruit, for the reason that it is a verv late keeper and we have
but few late keepers ; consequently if you want a very late keeping
apple for home use it may be dfesirable to introduce this ; but iu my
judgment it will not bear so high a recommendation as the paper
gave it. With regard to its extreme hardiness, 1 am not able to
corroborate or den}' the claim made. Jt is generally called hardy,
and does passably well along our northern bordei's.

There is another Golden Russet, introduced from the same locality
as the one I have just spoken of. This is regular in shape not
tapering like the other ; completely covered with russet ; flesh white ;
are of passable quality, and will keep until June when barrelled
carefully so it will not shrivel.

There is another apple, which I now hold in my hand, [exhibits
specimens] introduced from New York as a Golden Russet, but as
worthless as worthless can be. This tree grows differently ; it loads
itself with fruit, growing all up and down npon the branches, from
stem to top. As it approaches the top, the fruit grows smaller, and
b}' the time you get hall waj- down the limb, they are infeiior in
size and quality. It is important to keep in mind the distinction
between these varieties, — to know what we are buying and for
what purpose ; and to avoid getting what we do not want.

Fall Queen, or Haas. Inqniry was made concerning this variety,
and the Secretar}' read from the description given in Downing's
First Appendix, page 10 :

"■Originated near !St. Louis, Mo. It was at first called Gros
Pommier, but now genei'ally Fall Queen or Haas. * * Veiy
popular through most of the West and Southwest as a profitable
market fruit, and for family' use. Tree hardly, very vigorous,
upright, forming a beautiful symmetric head; an early, annual,
and abundant bearer. Fi'uit medium to large, ol)late, slightly
conical, angular or slightly ribbed ; skin smooth, pale greenish
yellow, shaded nearly over the whole surface with light and dark
red, some rather obscure splashes and stripes, and a few light dots ;

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. g5

stalk short, small; cavity medium, a little greenish; calyx closed ;
basin small or medium, slightly corrugated ; flesh quite white, fine,
often stained next the skin, and sometimes through the flesh;
tender, very juic\', vinous, brisk sul)-acid ; good to very good ; core
medium or large. September. October."

"W. P. Athekt ox, Hallowell. I have a tree of this variety, which
was set about three years ago. The tree appears to be very hardy
and a rapid grower. The first year it fruited the fruit was small
and unsatisfactory, but last year it bore some good specimens. It
is an autumn fruit, and we do not need it. I think it does well in
New York, but in Maine we do not want it.

S. R. SwKETSER, Cumberland Centre. I have found tiie Haas
apple good for nothing, — the same in my neighbors' orchards as my
own. It is not worth gathering. I should call it as mean a fall
apple as the Ben Davis is for a winter one.

PiERSON. I have the Haas grafted into a Siberian crab, standing
in a sand bank. It has borne two years, — this year large and fine
specimens, — dark red, larger than the Baldwin, and a good dessert
apple. I should advise any one who has Siberian crabs to graft
them with it.

Merrill. The Haas should not be set in clayey' soil, but it grows
well on sand. It is iron-dad^ hard}' as the Ben Davis and a better
apple to keep, but is quite mellow in the fall. I gathered mine late,
and they are sound at the present time.

RiCHARDSOX. If I wanted seedling stocks, I would sow seed of
the Haas ; but after four years' trial, I am obliged to condemn the
fruit. I have not been satisfied with it. It is a splendid growing
and hard}- stock, — the best in my orchard, as far as that is con-
cerned.

Newlovm Pijrpin. Sweetser. I have specimens here which
agree with Cole's description ; but it is not a good bearer, and I do
not consider it a profitable variet}-.

Peck's Pleasant. The Presidext. One of the most delicious
apples.

Merrill. I think it is a rather moderate bearer. It has been
extensively raised in western New York and is regarded as a valua-
ble fruit.

Ira E. Getchell, Winslow. I consider it one of my best apples.
It is a good bearer, bearing every year. The wood is very hard

5

QQ STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

and strong. [In answer to a question] — perhaps it is liable to
overbear, rendering the fruit small.

Charlks S. Pope, Manchester. It is a ver^- nice apple for some
purposes, but not profitable for mai'ket.

Esopits Spitzenhurgh. The President. This apple, as grown
here, is of fair qualit}', but no better than the Baldwin. In New
York, it is totally different, and ver^^ delicious.

Red Canada. Pope. Verj' hardy, but does not belong to the
class called " iron clads."

Baldwin. W. B. Furguson, Dixmont. Allow me to sa}' a word
in relation to the Baldwin. I raise manj^ kinds of apples. In my
vicinity the Baldwin is the apple, thoroughly hardy (that is, inPenob-
scot count}'.) I have known Baldwins there ever since I have
known anything, and still they are bearing. I grafted Baldwins
twenty-five years ago and they are now vigorous, health}^ and
prolific. I would'nt give one Baldwin tree for a whole row of 3'our
" iron clads," with half of the Russets thrown in.

The President. I advise eveiybod}' who has a soil and location
which suits the Baldwin, to raise it extensively, but if other apples
do better, raise them. Several years ago I lost a great many Bald-
win trees by winter killing. They wore not upon good land, and I
afterwards neglected those that survived, — but finally' thought I
would try them again. I went to work on my Baldwin trees, and
have been amazed at the result. The trees are remarkabl}' healthy
and have borne large crops of very fine fruit. I have not lost any
trees since that time.

Committees Appointed.

Voted., That a committee be appointed by the chair to take into
consideration the subject of Russets, with reference to their nomen-
clature and the merits or value of the different kinds, and make re-
port, with such recommendations as they see fit, at a luture meeting.

The President appointed as said committee Messrs. Z. A. Gilbert,
Charles S. Pope and W. P. Atherton.

Voted., That a committee be appointed by the chair to examine
the fruit exhibited at this meeting, and make report with their recom-
mendation as to the award of pi-emiums.

The President appointed as said committee Messrs. A. E. Andrews,
W. H. Pierson and C. A. Dow.

Adjourned.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

67

THE ETENING SESSION

was devoted chiefl}' to a lecture by Mr. S. L. Boardman, under the
direction of the Board of Agriculture, on "How to elevate the
Standard of Maine Farming."

Adjourned.

SECOND DAY, Wednesday, January 3\.

Met at 9 o'clock, A. M.

The morning hour was occupied with the transaction of business,
postponed from the annual meeting in September.

The Treasurer presented his report for the yesit 1882, as follows :■

GEORGE B. SAWYER, Treasurer,

In Account with Maine State Pomological Society,

Dr.

To cash in the treasury, January 1, 18S2 $25 03

amount on deposit in Wiscasset Savings Bank 344 40

received from the State, bounty for 1881 500 00

" of life members 40 00

" annual members 35 00

" State Agricultural Society 325 00

" from donations 102 00

" sales of fruit, &c 7 28

" for interest , 15 49

$1,391 20

Cr.

By amount paid loan of 1831 , $200 00

" " interest on loans , 12 73

" " orders of Executive Committee 248 52

" " premiums of 1881, balance 120 00

" " " winter meeting, 1882 38 50

" " " annual exhibition, 1882 33100

" on deposit in Wiscasset Savings Bank 344 40

By cash in treasury, December 30, 1882 99 05

$1,394 20

GEORGE B. SAWYER, Treasurer.

Wiscasset, December 30, 1882.

68

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

The report of the Executive Committee, for the year 1882, was
presented, as follows :

To the Members of the Maine State Pomological Society:

The Executive Committee hereby report that they have examined the foregoing
account of the Treasurer, for the year 1882, and have found the same to be correctly
stated and properly vouched.

That they have drawn orders on the Treasurer during the year, to the amount of
$248.52, for the following objects, viz:

Expenses of winter meeting, 1882 $'^5 "2

" annual exhibition, 1882. 154 54

Incidental expenses ^^ ''^

Statement of the financial condition of the Society, December 30, 1882:

Assets.

Cash in the treasury . • $^^ ^^

Amount due from the State, bounty for 1882 500 00

Property owned by the Society, estimated 100 00

• ■ ijjoyj 1/0

Liabilities.

Amount due on loan ^'^*^ *^0

" of unpaid orders 97 53

« " premiums of 1882 234 50

Balance due permanent fund 375 60

Other liabilities, and bills not rendered, estimated 250 00

$l,09i 63

(Deficiency of assets, $398.58.)

Permanent Fund.

Cr.

By fees of 72 life members $"20 00

Dr.

To amount on deposit in Savings Bank $344 40

balance due from Society 375 GO

$720 00

Respectfully submitted,

GEORGE B. SAWYER, for Executive Committee.

The foregoing reports were severally accepted.
Voted, That the Secretary be paid a salary of two hundred dol-
lars per annum for his services.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. QQ

Proeeecled to the election of officers. Messrs. J. E. Rennocli
and S. R. Sweetser were appointed as a committee to receive and
count tlie votes.

The election resulted as follows :

For President — Robert H. Gardiner of Gardiner.

For Vice Presidents — Stillman W. Shaw of Miuot,

S. C. Harlow of Bangor.
For Secretar}' and Treasurer — George B. Sawyer of Wiscasset.
For members of the Executive Committee — (in addition to the
President and Secretary',) Samuel Rolfe of Portland, Charles S.
Pope of Manchester, Henry McLaughlin of Bangor.

For Corresponding Secretary — Granville Fernald of Harrison.
For Trustees :

Androscoggin county — D. J. Briggs, South Turner.

Aroostook " Henry Tilley, Castle Hill.

Cumberland " S. F. Strout, Falmouth.

Franklin " S. R. Leland, Farmington.

Hancock " Charles G. Atkins, Bucksport.

Kennebec "■ W. P. Atherton, Hallowell.

Knox " Elmas Hoffses, Warren.

Lincoln " H. J. A. Simmons, Waldoborough.

Oxford " N. T. True, Bethel.

Penobscot " J. E. Bennoch, Orono.

Piscataquis " H. A. Robinson, Foxcroft.

Sagadahoc " H. S. Care}-, Topsham.

Somei'set " James S. Hoxie, North Fairfield.

Waldo " D. L. Pitcher, Belfast.

Washington " H. A. Sprague, Charlotte.

York " John Hanscom, Saco.

Then proceeded with the reading of papers ; the first being on
VEGETABLE AND SEED GROWING.

BY WILLIAM DU5I0NT, OF WEST GLOUCESTER.

In presenting this paper, it is not my intention to advance an}-
new ideas, but simply to remind 1113' fellow farmers of the importance
of growing our own seeds, more especiall}- those intended for the
garden.

The farmers of this State pay out, annually, a large sura to seed
raisers of other States, which ought to be kept at home. The

«Q STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETST.

greater part of these seeds sown here are for raising vegetables to
be consumed as such, and it is an established fact that northern
grown seeds are vastly superior to those grown either in the south
or west. The onion, for instance, for the seed of which any farmer
would rather pay a dollar a pound for Maine grown seed than fifty
cents for the same variety grown in Pennsylvania. The same holds
good with other kinds, but probably not to so great an extent.

Our State has a good reputation for all its products in the south,
west, and even across the Atlantic. Wherever you find them they
almost invariably lead the market. The same might be said of
her vegetable seeds, but they must first be grown and put in the

market.

The demand for garden seeds is increasing year by year and more
are raised to meet this demand ; and why should not Maine increase
her product? The time was, and that not many years since, when
Maine produced all the seed sown within her borders, and it ought
to be the case now. But go into our seed stores,— go into the coun-
try store on the cross roads throughout the State, and ask to be
shown some vegetable seeds,— and how many will show you Maine
grown seeds? Very, very few. I presume there are as many seeds
raised in our State as formerly ; but as the demand increased, our
seedsmen were obliged to get their full supplies from other States.

It might not pay each farmer to raise seeds and put them up in
small retail packages ; but there are several seedsmen in the State
that do a wholesale business, and willingly pay a remunerative price
for good seed, but cannot always get a supply without going abroad.
But to be successful, we must start with good, reliable seeds, and
varieties for which there is a demand. Then for seed raising,
reserve only the very best, and thus we may be improving the
variety every year.

For winter storage for roots intended to be set in the spring,
generally a good amount can be stored in the cellar ; but for those
who lack such room and even those who do not, a very convenient
way is to dig pits on or near the plot of ground to be planted, pro-
viding it is well drained, for this is most essential. They need not
necessarily be very deep, two feet will answer as well as deeper, for
the roots may be heaped up and covered with straw, chaff, ever-
green boughs, or an3thing of like nature, with the soil thrown over
all to the depth of a foot or more, and the}- will come out in the
spring in prime condition. The onion need not be pitted, but can

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 7]^

be kept in any outhouse, well buried in chaff or straw, with a foot
or more of it both over and under them, so that the frost ma}* come
out graduall}' as warm weather approaches.

In culling out the inferior roots the greatest care should be exer-
cised that none but the very best be set. There is alwa3's a demand
in our stock barns for all inferior lots that are not fit for setting,
which sometimes are worth nearly as much as the cost of the whole
crop. The setting of the roots and care while growing the seeds, is
as simple as the growing of a crop of corn or potatoes, and farmers
of ordinar}- intelligence will succeed if they put their minds to it.
The cleaning of the seed can be done in the fall after the pressing
outdoor work is over.

Ver}' few farmers realize the importance of a good crop of
squashes, for aside from its being a health}- article of diet for both man
and beast, the seed will often sell for more than the cost of raising
the whole crop. Thus while raising seed for market, we are at the
same time furnishing our taV)les and stock with an abundance of
healthful and nutritious vegetables, without impoverishing the farm.

Let our Maine farmers consider these ideas, and if the}' do not
leel to raise seed for market, they can grow enough for home de-
mands. But if thc\- should put hundreds of tons into the markets
of our own and other States, we should see the same results as in
her other products. They will be sought after above all others.
Well ma}' our State feel proud of her motto, " Dirigo," for surely
she does direct and lead in many ways.

PiEKSOX. I have thought considerably about the matter of seeds.
Last spring I bought a package of early peas. They were raised in
Michigan. When I opened them, I found they had all been injured
by the pea wevil. I sowed the package in two rows about 1| rods
long. But very few of them came up, owing to the wevil. I found
the peas had been sold at the rate of $48 a bushel, which I thought
was rather steep for a farmer to pay. It was quite a large package
but the peas were few. So it is with packages of seeds ; as ihe
paper grows larger, the amount of seeds grows less. It has occurred
to me that it is just as easy for every farmer to raise his own vege-
table seeds and tubers. He can set the roots in the spring, nutl
with a little care raise his seed and not be dependent upon those who
raise and put upon the market such inferior seeds at exorl)itant
prices. Seeds raised at home are so much better than the seeds in

72 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

the market. Every one should be in the habit of raising his own
seeds.

I wish to call attention to the matter of grass seed. The foul
seeds we have purchased in our grass seed have been of immense
damage to the fields. There is a new weed that has appeared within
a few years ; that is the wild carrot. It is one of the worst weeds
we have. The prairie sunflower is an abominable pest. It is a
yellow weed a little larger than white weed ; it will stick in the
ground year after ^ear. This wild carrot spreads over the ground.
It is not more than five 3ears since I first saw it, in a trip from
Vassalboro' to Winthrop. Since then it has increased rapidh^, until
many of the fields in Vassalboro' are entirely white with it. [In
answer to question.] I do not know how it was introduced, unless
by purchasing grass seed.

THE OLD AND NEW METHODS OF DRYING FRUIT.

BY E. N. PERRY, OF PORTLAND.

The request coming to me through the Hon. C. J. Oilman, from
the Maine State Pomological Society' to prepare a paper on the
fruitgrowing interests of Maine, is eminently a reasonable one, and
as far as I am able mj* interest in the subject will prompt me to
furnish the paper requested.

I regard our State as among the best tor fruit growing and in that
interest capable of occupying a leading position and stimulated by
increased and improved facilities for manufacture and preservation,
is sure to take such a position.

Much has already been accomplished through your Society and
other instrumentalities in the line of improvement, and much yet
remains to be done. The comparative value of the various methods
of culture, preservation and manufacture and their attendent results
can be seen most clearly by a comparison of the present with the
past.

Once orchards were set, and little more was done until some kind
of fruit appeared, some good and some good for nothing, and all
alike the natural production from the seed. Hence trees were per-
mitted to occup3' their position for generations, undisturbed, to veg-
etate or die without care, culture or little attention of any kind

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 73

except at gathering time. A portion ot the fruit thus produced was
prepared for winter by drying, a portion manufactured into cider and
a large portion fed to cattle and swine or suffered to decay where it
had fallen.

The method of drying was almost exclusively used among the
farmers to preserve their winter stock. Let us look in upon the
process, sa}' fifty years ago. Towards nightfall a few baskets -of
the fairest and best of tlie apples were gathered and brought into
the kitchen, and after the members of the family gathered from
their daily employment the evening was spent in apple paring ;
father, mother, brothers and sisters, each with knife in hand, com-
mence the tedious operation. Each apple was taken singly, slowly
peeled by hand, cut in quarters, the core removed and passed to
the younger children for stringing. This process was accompanied
at every step by litter and weariness, and absorbing the time of the
whole family. And not of a single evening only, but for weeks
shutting awa}' more congenial and profitable employment. The
united efforts of an ordinary family could prepare for drying perhaps
five bushels in an evening. But the preparation of the fruit for
drying was by no means the end of the tedious process. Poles must
be erected in a sunin- place, the fruit carried out mornings and
brought in evenings for several days, perhaps weeks, before suitably
dried. For the sun being depended upon for drying, the process
was stopped on cloudy weather, and at the prospect the fruit must
be returned to shelter. The result of all this labor, care and time
was an average of say five pounds of dried apple to the bushel,
worth in barter five cents per pound, making an aggregate of
twenty-five cents per bushel for the best of the fruit. Or more
concisely, a family of five prepare for drying five bushels of fruit per
evening. A large amount of time must be consumed in clearing
away litter, attending the drying, packing and carrying to market,
making a total of forty hours^ time, equal to four days of ten hours'
each for twenty-five pounds of dried fruit. This could be sold on
an average of five cents per pound, making one dollar and twent}'-
five cents for four days' time, — thirty-one and one-fourth cents per
day, leaving nothing for the fruit. If we call the fruit twenty-five
cents per bushel nothing remains for labor. Some improvements
were made by introdncing simple machiner}' for the more rapid
preparation of the fruit, and some in the fruit itself by better

74 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

culture and occasional grafting of better qualities ; but the process
of drying remained essentially' the same until very recently.

Another fact ; as the drying process must be carried on by expos-
ure to the sun and wind, dust was liberall}' added to the generous
suppl}' of filth furnished by insects attracted to the sunny exposure
and drying fruit. Nor was this all ; decay often occurred in the
middle of the fruit, while the sugar was largeh' converted into an
acid for consumption — a dirty, woody, acid compound, resembling
apple in some respects, but robbed of its most valuable qualities.
These facts were sufficient ground for the feeling, then almost
universal throughout the State, that orchards were of little value to
the farmers as a source of revenue ; for it was literally true. But
the more thoughtful and enterprising turned their attention to the
cultivation of a better quality of fruit, both b^- grafting and b}'
planting better varieties, thus seeking to find an outlet for their
industries b}' the sale of fruit in its natural state.

The enterprise met largely with success, and the commercial value
rapidly increased and the products of the orchards became a revenue
to the farmers. But only the best fruit was of marketable value,
and a large percentage of an inferior qualitj' was left to be dried,
manufactured into cider, fed to stock or allowed to decay. This was
the state of the industry up to a very recent date. But the method
of evaporation is changing the entire process of disposal of the
fruit, and bids fair to change the entire commercial value of the fruit
crop of the State. B}' this new process all the litter which formerl}'
incumbered the farmer's dwelling is removed to places where it cau
be easily and cheapl}' cared for. Thus the farmer and his family are
left free with their evenings for social, interlectual and moral improve-
ment. The place once occupied by apple peelings, corings, baskets
and tables can be taken by books, papers and magazines, thus bring-
ing the farmer and his family nearer the pulse of the great social
world. The change also furnishes a ready sale for fruit with no loss
and little trouble. The best of the fruit can be reserved for sale in
its natural condition, while the medium and poorer qualities are
available to the new process. Again he is saved a great amount of
labor for all storing, sorting, and harvesting is condensed into the
simple process of gathering the fruit into wagons and drawing it to
the factor}'. And the prices paid for the Iruit direct from the orch-
ards is largely in advance of the price obtained for that dried in the
old method. Prices for the current year range from twenty-five to

STATE POMOLOQICAL SOCIETY. 75

sixty-five cents per busliel. Tlius giving to tlie farmer, with little
time and trouble attending, from three to five times the former
amount for his fruit. And he can supply his familj- with their usual
quantity and of a vastly superior qualit}' for the money received
from the sale of his crop and retain a liberal margin for profit.
Another fact in favor of the new process is the keeping qualities.
Being simph' apples dried, they will remain the same for any length
of time if water is withheld. Thus is added to our stock a suppl}'
of no small commercial value. While the old method of exposure
to the sun often allowed partial decay, thus greatly reducing its
keeping qualit}' and its value. But the greatest distinction between
the two methods remains to be presented. The fruit b}- the new
process is prepared in a few hours, against several days in the old,
and is exposed to neither sun, wind, insects nor dirt. The products
are perfectly free from dust and all other imjDurities. The process
is carried on in absolute cleanliness. The water onh' is removed,
and that so rapidl}^ that all the natural elements of the fruit are left
undisturbed. No changing of sugar to acids, no transformation to
a wood}- substance, no approach to deca}' and no mingling of impur-
ities,— simply dried apples; and so natural that the restoration of
water restores the fruit to a state so perfect that the Baldwin, (rreen-
ing. Northern 8p3', or anj- other variety can readily be distinguished
by its flavor. The process is a long step in the direction of improve-
ment, and must, on becoming general, revolutionize the fruit growing
interest of the State, and place a largeh' increased revenue in the
hands of the farmers. From our present point of observation we
look upon the fruit growing interest of our State as in a healthy and
prosperous condition.

But the capabilities of our State are comprehended b}- a few only,
and the mission of that few appears to be to enlighten and stimulate
the man}-. May their work be steadily and faithfull}- pursued until
the broad acres of our noble State shall gleam with its pendant
golden fruits and every farmer be enriched by his abundant harvest.

Accompanying Mr. Perry's paper, was a letter transmitting a
"Weekly Api)le Report" from Liverpool, dated Januar}' G, 1883,
concerning which Mr. P. said : " By this 30U will see that the
Boston apples, which includes Maine and New Hampshire, sell much
lower than any other. I think it would be well for the Society to
inquire into the reason for this, and also as to the kinds best adapted

7g STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

to that market. The reason I give for their not bringing so good
price as others is this, unsuitable packages and dislionest packing ;
in other words, the packers put choice apples in the top of the bar-
rel and poor ones in the middle, or as we call it they are ' badl}'
deaconed'."

The following paragraphs from this apple report will explain Mr.
Perry's criticisms :

" Our market this week has been dull and inactive, and the buyers have shown no
spirit even when the choicest samples have been shown; at the same time arrivals
having been light and mostly out of condition, best selections of colored fruit hare
not declined in value, but apples out of condition and tender or small and common
have done very badly, the trade not seeming to care for them even at low prices.

The demand has been entirely for Ked Fruit, and Kussets are selling comparatively
low, best samples not making over 21s. per barrel.

Arrivals for the week are as follows: From New York, 2,846 barrels; from Boston,
1,584 barrels; from Montreal, 1,643 barrels.

Total for week, 6,073 barrels. Receipts to date, 210,483 barrels.

The following are the quotations: Baldwins, (Boston) 20 to 24s.; Baldwins, (New
York) 23 to 25s.; Baldwins, (Canadian) 23 to 2.ts. ; Greenings, 19 to 2;5s. ; Canada
Reds, 20 to 24s.; Newtown Pippins, 20 to 35s. ; Golden Kussets, 18 to 21s. ; Rox, 18
to 19s.; Pomeroys, 20 to 26s.; Seeks, 23 to 25s.

Slack Packed, 14 to 18s.; Slightly wet, 12 to 15s.; Wet, 8 to lis."

The President. I lately received from my correspondent in
Boston the price current from Liverpool, London and Hamburg.
He says it is a fact that Canada apples are two or three shillings
higher than our apples of the same quality, naming some particular
apples. He says it is a prejudice of the English people ; they will
favor the Canadian fruit in spite of everything. A great many
apples are shipped from Halifax and sold for Canada apples and
bring Canada prices. What helps the prejudice against our apples
is the false packing spoken of. This gentleman told me that noth-
ing so injures the sale of apples. It is only by sending out a good
quality of apples, well and honestly packed, that we shall in a short
time overcome that obstacle and our apples will be quoted higher
or as high as any other. We all know that the apples grown in
Maine will keep better than those of New York.

The Secretary. I understand Mr. Perry's criticism to apply
only to that portion of our product which is shipped from Boston ;
and that forms but a small part of the whole amount shipped from
that port, and quoted in Liverpool and elsewhere as "Boston
apples." On the other hand it has been repeatedly stated at our
former meetings that many of our apples are packed and shipped

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

[77 r\

tv'« Portland as " Canada apples," thus bringing the highest price
instead of the lowest. Whichever of these statements is correct, or
if both are so to some extent, the facts ought to be ascertained and
made known. It we are building up the reputation of Canada
apples at our own expense, and in another quarter getting the
reputation of "■deaconing" our apples, botli practices are reprehen-
sible. I do not believe that our apples as a whole are packed less
honestly than those ot other States.

Atiiertox. I saw a large quantity* of apples brought into
Hallowell, a year ago last fall, for a buj'cr from Boston. They were
in flour-barrels, and were completely covered with flour. Flour-
barrels should never be used for packing ajiples without being first
thoroughh- cleaned. It is utterly- impossible to sweep them clean,
so but the flour will show upon the apples ; they should be washed
with water and dried, then there is no trouble.

BoAKDMAN. AVith regard to the price of apples in the Liverpool
market. I was at the house of Mr. Carr, in Winthrop, last year,
and saw there a gentleman from Montreal who was engaged in
shipping apples from Portland. The^' were put up at Mr. Carr's
house, in Winthrop, where he had apples stored and were packed and
marked as Canada apples ; and the reason given by Mr. Carr, was
that the home people had a preference for their own apples, and
Canada apples brought a higher price in Liverpool than those from
the States. A large proportion of the Carr apples are sold, kiunmi
to be Maine apples. I believe as a rule that it is the design of fruit
growers to pack well so far as they understand, and as required by
the shippers.

Pope. If parties come in and purchase our apples, how can we
prevent them from putting the Canada brand upon them. It is very
little use to put them up to keep up a reputation in England putting
the larger ones in the ends and small ones in the centre. Their
method there is to burst out the head and pour the apples out so
that the}' are all in sight. Whether the apples are put up in poor
or good shape it is known immediately, and known where they come
from. It is a new business putting up apples for a foreign market,
and it is not generally' understood how the}- should be packed.

The Phesiuent. I believe it is necessary to keep our apples
branded from Maine and wait patiently, and in time we shall get a
reputation as well as Canada.

7g STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

A man from Boston once came to look at m}' apples. The}' had
not been headed up. He said he should like to see a barrel ; so the
apples were all taken out, one after another. It happened accident-
all}' that as he went down deeper the apples were larger. He was
satisfied and from that da}- to this he has made no question. He
showed me how to pack apples, putting the stems down at the bot-
tom of the barrel, and pressing in the head, and turn them over and
mark the other end so that is the one opened. There were some
apples that were preciseh' equal to mine, had been earefuU}' packed,
and sorted honestl}- and fairl}-, — that he went to look at and wouldn't
truck them even at half a dollar less, because thej' were not packed
tight, and would bruise in shipping to Boston. When a person gets
a reputation established for packing, there is no further trouble, but
when parties are not known there is the strictest examination.

JoKDAN. The way fruit has been shipped to England, putting
the poor apples in the middle and good ones on top has been a great
injur}' to the business ; they soon found that out. They knock a
head out and pour the apples upon the platform. The minute they
see that, it has a great effect. Maine people are doing better every
day.

Gilbert. There are some suggestive facts in connection with this
subject, but in time they will be swept away. I know a case where
Canadian purchasers came into this county to purchase car loads of
apples to ship to England. A Maine man who assisted them in
purchasing and packing, sent by the same steamer a car load of his
apples. Those purchased by the Canadians were branded as Can-
adian. Those sent by the Maine dealer were branded as from the
State of Maine. They each went into the same market at the same
time and were sold at the same time. Those branded as Canadian,
sold for three shillings a barrel more than the Maine apples. Dealers
are looking for the dollars. When a Maine man ships to P^ngland
he brands his apples Canada because he gets more dollars for his
apples. While this is a fact, what are we going to do about it? All
we have to do, I think, is to do our part of the business justly and
honestly, in a straight- forward manner, and bide our time. If we
are putting better apples into foreign markets from the State of
Maine than from any other section of the country, they are to be
recognized ; by and by we shall get credit for what we are doing but
meanwhile we have got to pass through this experience and these
difficulties pending the establishment of trade. This whole business

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 79

of shipping apples is compiirativel}- in its infancy ; it has not been
put into the best working shape, it is going to be handled better by
and by. It is a new industiy in Maine.

Finally it is said that it is practically impossible to pack apples,
oranges or raisins so that the best won't come on top. That may
be so, yet I believe that the man who packs his fruit honesth- and
brands it with his own name, is going to fare the best in the end,
although the dishonest packer ma}- get some advantage temporarih'.

I hope the subject of the bodj- of Mr. Perrv's paper, the evapo-
ration OF FRUIT, may not drop out of sight without some further
notice. It is a business, I believe, of considerable importance to
the State and to the individual fruit grower. I hoped that before
this meeting finally adjourned the whole subject would be carefull}'
examined to see what there is in it, and what are the best methods
to get out of it what there is in it.

The President. I wish to know, as a matter of profit to the
farmers, what sort of apples are necessaiy to be used for evaporat-
ing purposes ; whether they must be first quality of apples or refuse.
It is spoken of as a saving of those apples we used to feed to stock
or allow to rot. My impression is that the evaporated apple is so
nearly like the original that you can distinguish the kind of apple
in the evaporated product. In this case it seems impossible that
ordinary apples will do for evaporating and bring the same price as
better ones. The}' bring from fifteen to eighteen cents a pound
when common dried apples are worth five or six cents.

Mr. Brett, of Winthrop. ( ?) On that point, I made the best
work from sour apples.

QuEs. Can you use worm}- apples ?

Ans. You can use wormy apples, but it costs a great deal more.
The sound part is as good. I use common fruit mostly ; nearly all
kinds of fruit.

Ques. Natural fruit will not bring as much as grafted fruit?

An8. Mine did ; and they looked better than grafted apples. I
use a great many apples, down to two inches in diameter.

Ques. Cannot you use an apple as small as half an inch?

Ans. a two-inch apple is a very small one.

Ques. What is the cost of machinery for evaporating apples?

Ans. There are a great many kinds. They cost from $75 to
$1,000 ; I am acquainted with only one kind.

80 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

QuES. A neighborhood could bin- the machiner}- together, and
one machine evaporate for the whole ?

Ans. I don't know why the^- conld not, like anj- other machine.

Geo. E. Brackett, Belfast. I believe there is an evaporator
established in Waldo county, where a good many thousand bushels
of apples are purchased and put through the process of evaporation.
The price paid is about fifty cents per bushel. The larger portion
of those apples were natural fruit. They were in as good demand
as grafts, when large and fair. So far as I know, the market price
did not change with respect to the quality of the apple. The}' used
natural fruit or any other that would come in at the same price.

Merrill. I went into an evaporating establishment to learn the
price of evaporated apple. They told me that the price depended
upon the fruit. The cheapest was the natural. Baldwin, Northern
Spy, Roxbury Russet brought the highest price ; although manu-
facturers might make as much margin on native as on Northern
Spies, which brought the highest price. One man I talked with, in
New York, told me that he made as much monej' from the Northern
Spy that he paid four shillings a bushel for, as he did from natives
that he got for twent}* cents. There must be more waste in using
small apples. In New York State there is a great difference in the
price of evaporated apple. It is a staple article of foreign trade.
I was speaking with a New York commission merchant; he told me
that the people who were manufacturing evaporated apple here were
getting large quantities of good natural fruit suitable to evaporate.
They can get a certain price for it and it may be better for them to
bu}' that suri)lus and use it up. I noticed that the manufacturers
commenced on natural, and early grafted fruit until it is gone ;
sometimes evaporating into the winter, sometimes to the first of
February, buying out of cellars. One large orchardist in Limerick
stored them in his cellar for shipping purposes and evaporators came
and paid him four shillings a bushel for the apples. Northern Sp}'
and some other kinds. He said he availed himself of that oppor-
tunit}' as those apples turned for more than the others.

Dr. W. B. Lapham, Augusta. I purchased of the American
Manufacturing Company last summer a small drier, to dr^' ten bush-
els of apples a day, but I found its capacity was less than that. I
had it as an experiment. It was set up at my brother's in Litchfield.
We dried through the apple season ; used, native apples and the
inferior quality- of grafted fruit. We used No. 1 apples. We con-

STATE PO.MOLOGICAL SOCIETY. o^

traeted beforehand for the sale of the product at thirteen cents a
pound, at Augusta ; it is now worth eighteen cents in that market at
wliolesale. It worked well, and my brother was verv well satisfied
with what he had done with it, and intends to get a larger one next
year and carry on that business on a more extensive scale. A ^ood
many of the orchardists in Litchfield have become interested i,? the
subject and will go into the business next year. We get five pounds
of evaporated apple from a bushel.

GiLUEirr. In the town of Greene an evaporator has been oi)erated
two seasons. Last fall a double machine was used, evaporatino-
more than one hundred bushels of apples a dav. Ic is not expected
that when good apples sell for three dollars a l,arrel, evai^orators
will pay this price and take them. We have apples of second qual-
ity among grafted fruit that we could not get as much monev out of
If put upon the market; they will sell for about enough to'pav for
handling and that is all. That class of fruit can be put into eVap-
orators and made profitable both to the seller and the purchaser
Of course they must be put in at a lower price because not worth as
much. The price for this quality of fruit has been from twenty-five
to thirty-five cents per bushel at the evaporators. In York county
where evaporators were first put in operation in this State, thev had
one or two very bountiful crops of fruit and prices run extr;melv
low. A good many of the fruit growers in that section who raised
nice fruit shook it from the trees without any care whatever and sold
It for prices which satisfied them, to the evaporators, who took the
whole quantity as it was shaken from the trees. The cost of pick-
ing was slight and the growers weie satisfied. But those were years
of exceptionally low prices.

The manufacturers do not pay as much for native fruit because it
does not sell for as high prices : the operation is a profitable one, as
otherwise the fruit is worthless. There is room for a great deal of
this work to be done and I have no doubt it will extend all over the
fruit growing section of the State. Our cheaper fruits will be put
into cash in that way. ()nr early fruits are so plentiful that the
market is glutted,-they have become almost unsaleable. I hope
those early fruits will be utilised by drying so they can be i,reserved
und earned to a profitable market. No. 1 grafted fruit probably
would average six pounds of fruit to the bushel ; those of inferior
size and with worm holes which make considerable waste, I bcli.'ve
average about five pounds to the bushel ; depending .somewhat ui,on
6

82

STATE POMOLOGICAL SUCIETT.

size, as the same size for core is taken out of apples of every size.
The machine cuts a core of equal size whether the apple is large or
small. The difference in the size of the apple makes a difference
in the number of pounds of the product. The product is sold at
eighteen cents a pound ; six pounds of evaporated fruit from a
bushel would give one dollar for the evaporated fruit from a bushel
of apples. The cost of the operation is not heavy ; so that that is a
very fair price to get even for perfect fruit,— a price fully equal to
what we get in our most fruitful years.

Jordan. I have a relative in Fayette who has made money from
his large orchard. He has dried a good many apples ; sliced them
and used a kiln to dry them in ; though within two years he has
commenced evaporating. He says you don't want to evaporate
bitter-sweet apples. The more sour an apple is, the nicer it is for
this purpose. It uses up that sort of apples. He has dried from
one to two tons a year. I think there is an advantage to be gained
by orchardists in using up everything. Every man who has a good
orchard can have an evaporator of his own ; he need not let it go
into the hands of others ; he can own one of these machines that
cost $60 or $70, and keep it himself. That is where tlie advantage
comes from. He need not form companies while he can get all the
profit himself.

S. ^V. Shaw, Minot. There is one point which has not been dis-
cussed. If evaporated fruit from natural growth, does not sell for
so much as that from grafted fruit there is a reason for it. That
reason is this : Evaporating fruit does not change its nature. If
we would not go into our piles of apples gathered for cider and
promiscuously select our fruit for the market, neither should we select
in that miscellaneous way for evaporating, provided we design to get
a good product. That is business. A clear sour seedling apple is
good to evaporate ; is worth as much as a grafted one, and would
bring as much ; but a large proportion of our natural fruit is not
well flavored, and evaporating it will not make it so, consequently it
makes a poorer product. Yet it is desirable to work up poor apples,
because they will sell and that class of fruit will find a market. One
more point. The price has been quoted at eighteen cents a pound.
That is so. Last year our friend from -Winthrop sold his fruit at
Lewiston for ten cents a pound, and was glad to do so. He said he
paid out twenty-five cents a bushel, so you can make your own
calculation with regard to the profits. Six pounds to the bushel at

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

83

ten cents per pound is sixty cents ; twenty-five from sixty leaves
thirty-five cents per bushel for No. 2 Baldwins.

SxpajuT. There is another aspect presents itself to me. In front
of my house is a cider mill, where a class of people gather to guzzle
cider, and I want to get rid of that sort of a nuisance. Moral and
social as well as financial questions are involved in this matter. I
liave determined in my own mind that I will have something to use
up the apples. I want to buy those apples that are being ground up,,
there, and dry that mill up.

Adjourned.

Met at 2 o'clock P. M. The committee oo, award' af premiums,
presented their report, as follows :

Report of Awarding Commititee.

The committee appointed to award the premiums oflfered at this
meeting, submit the following report :

There were on the committees' book, 131 entries of single dishes,
of apples, by 16 exhibitors, as follows:

R. H. Gardiner, Gardiner 9 varieties.

L. Lennan, Gardiner 2 "

Geoi-ge H. Pope, West Gardiner. i u

S. W. Shaw, Minot 5 c;

Miss L. L. Taylor, Belgrade 10 c. .

William B. Ferguson, Dixmont 1 u.

J. 8. Hoxie, North Fairfield 15 u.

F. E. Nowell, Fairfield 16 u.

W. P. Atherton, Hallowell 1 n.

D. P. True, Leeds Centre 9 tt

A. E. Andrews, Gardiner 7 u

Perley & Perkins, Vassalboro' 21 "

W. R. Wharff, Gardiner [ 9

Charles S. Pope, Manchester 2 "

g . STATE P0M0L03ICAL SOCIETY.

S. R. Sweetser, Cumberland Centre 22 varieties.

J. C. Blaisdell, AVaterville 1

Besides these there were some specimens brought in at a late hour
and not entered on the books, making in all about 170 dishes of
apples.

There were no entries of pears, grapes or flowers.

Pi-emiums are awarded as follows :
For the best exhibition of fruit :

S. R. Sweetser, 1st premium ^3 00

William R. Wharff, 2d premium 1 ^0

For the best dish of winter apples :

R. H. Gardiner, (Yellow Bellflower,) 1st premium 2 00

S. R. Sweetser, (Baldwins,) 2d premium 1 00

For the best dish of Baldwins :

S. R. Sweetser, 1st premium 1 00

R. H. Gardiner, 2d premium • ^0

For the best dish of Rhode Island Greenings :

S. R. Sweetser, 1st premium 1 00

W. R. Wharff, 2d premium ^0

For the best dish of Northern Spy :

A. E. Andrews, 1st premium 1 00

8. W. Shaw, 2d premmm '^^

For the best dish of Peck's Pleasant :

James S. Hoxie, 1st premium 1 00

L. Lennan, 2d premmm

For the best dish of Mother :

Charles S. Pope, 1st premium 1 00

Miss L. L. Taylor, 2d premium ^0

For the best dish of Jewett's Fine Red :

S. R. Sweetser, 1st premium 1 00

For the best dish of Hubbardston Nonesuch :

A. E. Andrews. 1st premium 1 00

Miss L. L. Taylor, 2d premium '"^O

For the best dish of Red Canada :
Frank E. Nowell, 1st premium 1 00

STATE POMOLOt;rCAL SOCIETY, o-

For the best dish of Black Oxford :

D. P. True, 1st premium Si 00

Frank E. Nowell ,.a

WilHam R, AVharff, gratuity 25

For the best dish of King of Tompkins County :

S. R. Sweetser, 1st premium j qq

Miss L. L. Taylor, 2d premium ^q

For the best dish of Danvers Winter Sweet :

S. W. Shaw, 1st premium j qq

Miss L. L. Taylor, 2d premium 50

For the best dish of Talman's Sweet :

D. P. True, 1st premium j 00

S. R. Sweetser, 2d i^remium 50

For the best dish of Yellow Rellflower :

R. H. Gardiner, 1st premium j 00

William R. Wharff, 2d premium 50

For the best dish of Roxbury Russets :

S. R. Sweetser, 1st premium j 00

A. E. Andrews, 2d premium 50

For the best dish of American Golden Russets :

William R. Wharff, 1st premium 1 00

J. C. Blaisdell, 2d premium 50

For the best dish of English Golden Russets :

A. E. Andrews, 1st premium 1 00

Perley & Perkins, 2d premium 50

For the best dish of Gravensteiu : (no premium offered.)
S. R. Sweetser, gratuity 50

For the best dish of Winthrop Greenings : (no premium offered.)
W. R. Wharff, gratuity 50

Amount of premiums and gratuities awarded, $31.25.

The committee were somewhat in doubt whether any of the speci-
mens exhibited as American Golden Russets were true to name.
They recommend that the English Golden Russet be stricken from
the Society's lists.

Respectfully submitted.

A. E. Andrews, ")

Wm. H. Pierson, f Committee.

C. A. Dow, J

gg STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Then listened to an essay on

WHAT WE LEARN BY FAILURE.

BY S. W. SHAW, OF MINOT.

What is truth ? What is error ? These questions have in all ages
engaged the attention of the wisest, and the wisest have sometimes
made mistakes. As affecting the various avocations of life, their
correct solution is as vital as the air. The line which separates the false
from the true is sometimes so faintly marked, so obscured by plaus-
ible speculations that the honest inquirer after truth embraces error
instead and in its pursuit plunges into failure.

The most beautiful theory, if at variance with the teaching of
experience, like the will-o'the-wisp of the valley, leads its votary
into, the pitfalls of disappointment. It is safe to follow only when
theory and practice unite in leading the way. The theorizer of to-
day says that the farmer should live mainly on the products of his
own farm, and refers to the practice of the fathers in its support.
It is true they so lived and were prosperous. In our time many
have attempted the same thing and failed. Whence their failure ?

It is said our remote ancestors lived in caves, and subsisted on
roots and nuts dug from the ground with their fingers, and as far as
we know, were satisfied. Who would now be willing to revive the
practices and the civilization of the olden time? Neither do we
believe-it best or practicable to follow the former practices except
under similar conditions which, in most cases, do not exist, as must
be apparent to the most careless observer. Steam, the railroad,
manufactures and mechanical ingenuity have completely revolution-
ized the whole fabric of industrial and social life. It is not wise to
resist the inevitable. The opportunities for agricultural progress
and development by the introduction of a more varied and profitable
production were never, it is believed, better than to-day.

New industries are taking the place of the old, and in some cases
the old, in response to an increased demand, have come to the front
with a prominence not possible before. Of the latter class is fruit
growino-. This, we have no doubt, is to become one of the most
remune'rative, as it is one of the most agreeable occupations of the
farm, in a large part of the State. In the prosecution ot this
industry in the past, failures indeed, not often absolute, but com-
paratively such, it is to be regretted, have too often occurred, and

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIEXr.

87

been a source of much discouragement. I now proceed to the
consideration of a few points bearing on the

Treatmknt of Orchards.

In the A^egetable, as in the animal kingdom, age never resumes
the appearance and the functions of youth ; and he who disregards
this natural law in his treatment of either his orchard or liimself,
'will inevitably meet with failure and disappointment. Orchards may
become prematurely old in consequence of neglect, overbearing,
starvation, and other causes. Unproductiveness and decay follow ;
and their owners, as well as others, in many cases, unsuspicious of
the cause, are led to regard orcharding a failure. But the observing
mind looks upon such failures as incentives to a more intelligent and
careful practice and the result will rarely disappoint the expectation.
The first appearance of unthrift in a tree should receive prompt
attention, the cause sought for, and a remedy applied if possible.
Sometimes it is difficult to determine in advance the result of any
prescribed attempt at renovation. Usually, it is believed, well
directed efforts bestowed upon a tree not evidently too old, will
prove reasonably remunerative and sometimes wouderfullv so. In
this, as m other matters pertaining to every day life, theory needs
to be supplemented by experience, to be modified and corrected by
failure as well as bj- success.

No apology is deemed necessary for the introduction, in this con-
nection, of certain facts bearing on this subject, occurring either in
my own experience, or under my immediate observation. I have in
my mind an orchard planted about twenty-five years ago with State
of Maine grown nursery trees — variety, Baldwins. Receiving
proper care, it grew finely, came early into bearing, and has usually
borne splendid crops of fruit till last year. For the last eiglit or
ten years it has been treated with neglect. Numerous dead and
decaying branches, sure indications of decay, disfigure the trees
standing on high land ; while those on low ground, benefited
undoubtedly by fertiUzing material washed from above, are, as yet,
thrifty in tiieir appearance, and a few trees receiving an accuuuilatiou
of road-side washing still make a s|)lendid annual growth of wood
us well as fruit. The teaching of tliis illustration is, we think, too
obvious to be misunderstood or misapplied.

Another illustration occurs to me foreshadowing the prol)able
result in the case just mentioned. This orchard was grafted in the

33 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

limbs when A'oiing, and within ni}- own memory. For fifteen or
twenty years it was well cared for and produced bountiful crops.
Passinp; into the hands of another proprietor, pasturage only, was
substituted for the generous treatment of the former owner, first
with sheep, then with swine. For some time the harvests continued
to be as satisfactory as before, but after a few years the production
decreased, and the former vigorous and thrift3' appearance of the
orchard existed only in the memory of the beholder. The owner
then attributed the change to overbearing; he now adds starvation.
Under this state of tilings, the owner plowed, manured and mulched
the whole suiface of the ground, bringing it up to a high state of
fertility and keeping it in that condition. He also cut out large
quantities of dead wood, removing in manv cases more than half
the top. Result : The foliage at once assumed a fresh and lively
appearance, and the fruit production now seems to indicate that the
attempt at renovation was a profitable and judicious expenditure ;
but the annual product of dead wood indicates certain and speedy
death. The epitaph must be, died of premature decay induced by
starvation.

I come now, somewhat reluctantly, I confess, to the consideration
of some points in m}- own experience, which at much cost have led
ine to believe some things false I once supposed true. About thirty
years ago I came into possession of an orchard planted early in the
settlement of the town. It was grafted in the limbs when young,
and, under the judicious treatment of its careful owner, grew into a
beautiful maturity. Subsequenth' it . fell into negligent hands,
receiving no care whatever. Besides, it was annually robbed of its
scanty production of grass as well as fruit. This process had con-
tinued for more than twenl}- years when I became owner. It was
then in fact as well as in appearance an old orchard.

Much was said at that time in support of the theory, that bj* the
proper use of the saw and the plow, and other specified treatment,
old trees might be rejuvenated and become as good as new — almost.
At the same time it was claimed that it was not advisable to plant
young trees as they would not grow as well as foi'mcrly.

So with strong resolution and much courage, I set about the
process of revivification. I pruned and cultivated, and dug and
manured so far as practicable with the resources of a worn out farm.
A few trees were grafted with new and choice varieties. Others
were grafted in the sprouts growing from the trunk, while sprouts

STATE PO.MOLOUrCAL SOCIETY. ^Q

growing from the root with apparent vigor, were also grafted. All
this, and more was done in accordance with the most approved pre-
scriptions of the pomological doctors of the time, Avith the expecta-
tion of gathering for many years rich harvests of beautiful fruit.

Almost immediately, results seemed to indicate that the experi-
ment had been at last a partial success. The foliage changed its
deathly hue for one of living green, and for a few 3'ears the harvests
gave encouragement to the hope. But as in human life, the most
sanguine hopes and anticipations of declining years often come to
an unexpected and abrupt conclusion, so these old trees after having
given so good promise of continued usefulness, went rapidlv down.
Of that ten acre orchard, once one of the most noted in Cumberland
county as then existing, not more than half a dozen trees of any
value whatever, still remain. Three only of those grafted in the
sprouts ever amounted to anything ; and no scion set in a sprout
growing from the root ever came to maturity. The failure in this
ease evidently consisted in undertaking (or permanent improvement
what resulted onl^' in temporary advantage, for so far as actual
profit and loss were concerned, the balance was undoubtedly on the
right side of the ledger.

These illustrations are introduced in this connection as beacon
lights of danger, warning against the practices resulting in so much
mischief and loss. These are no isolated cases ; similar experiences
are constantly occurring wherever decajing orchards are found.

The unsatisfactory results of former practices have induced fruit
growers to resort to new methods and processes of production.
Instead of relying wholly on the old trees, new orchards have been
extensivel}' started, but with varjing success. Thousands of trees
have been planted but failed to grow. Thousands of others have
made but a feeble and sickl}' growth, while the flourishing condition
of many young orchards demonstrates the feasibility, if not the
certainty, of growing as good trees as were ever raised by the
fathers.

It is generally believed that orchards will not grow and flourish
now as formerlv. If this belief, so potent in retarding progress in
this direction, l)e a falacy, as I believe it to be, it is of the greatest
importance that its falacy be made apparent to all. I do not now
proi)ose to discuss this question except incidentally.

We cannot, if we would, ignore the force of such questions as
these: Why are there so many failures in this business? Why do

90 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

not our trees grow as well as did those of the fathers? Wh}- is there
not as much certainty' in this as in other farm pursuits? In reply,
I unhesitatingly express the opinion that, the conditions of success
being observed, there ma}' be as much certaint}' in the prosecution
of this as any other farm industry. I also believe that, as "dis-
tance lends enchantment to the view," the success of the early
settlers has been very much magnified and their practices lost sight
of in the fog, while the mistaken views thus obtained have con-
tributed largely to man}- a failure which might have been made a
success.

The old orchard again affords an illustration. My anctestral
relative used in planting well grown, symmetrical trees. Not having
enough of that quality to complete the work, he used inferior trees
on about two acres. After finishing the job, he remarked, "he
supposed he should have been better off" if he had purchased better
trees at a cost of one dollar apiece." The result verified the wisdom
of the remark if not his practice. I well remember the whole
orchard as it appeared in my childhood. The first planting grew
into large, beautiful trees, loaded with an abundance of excellent
fruit. I often wondered at the marked contrast between that and
the other portion, where the trees, with some favorable exceptions,
were much dwarfed in size and unsightly in appearance, nor was
the fruit production nearly so satisfactory. Within a hundred rods
from that orchard I remember another which never grew to a large
size, and its fruit production was always small. Cause — poor soil,
poor care, starvation, and perhaps poou trees when planted.

From these illustrations and other cases known to me, I deduce
the following propositions : First, when the fathers failed to observe
the conditions of success in orchard culture, they, like their descend-
ants, met with failure. Second, that essential couditious of success
are good soil, good trees, and good care.

I can hardly refrain from considering here the question, what con-
stitutes a good tree. Evidently something is required besides a
large number of even fibrous roots, or well formed trunk and branches,
or both (toffibined. Within the last twenty years, I have had con-
siderable experience in the resetting and subsequent treatment of
trees. Have used all sorts of trees, practiced different methods of
after treatment, and obtained results ranging from absolute failure
to complete success. I have used trees growing spontaneously l»y
the roadside and other waste places, also nurser}' trees grown by

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 91

differing methods and in vfvrious localities. I have learned to reject
an unthrifty tree from whatever cause, as worthless.

I early adhered to the theories, that root grafting is an unnatural
process, producing inferior trees ; that grafting in the limbs produces
a more hard}- tree than can be obtained by grafting in the trunk or
crown of a root grown from the seed ; and further, that an ungrafted
tree is of stronger growth, more productive, and longer lived, than
one grown by an}' method of grafting w-hatever. Regarding them
as theories still, I would speak of them cautiously. In the light of
ni}' experience, I will only say that I would reject root grafted trees
altogether. Whether an ungrafted tree be more hardy and produc-
tive than others, or not, there certainh' can be no profit in growing
poor fruit; hence I would use the best grafted trees obtainable, and
I will here express the opinion, possibly a theory not well founded,
that it is of ver}- little consequence at what period of growth the
operation of grafting is performed, provided it be done before the
maturity of a tree grown from the seed.

Regretting the necessity of leaving so man}' points involved in
this subject, unnoticed, I will here close b}' deducing the following
conclusions :

That an old orchard cannot be permanentl}' rejuvenated.

That in consequence of overbearing and neglect, trees may become
prematurel}- old, and the injury thus sustained can never be full}'
repaired, or the penalty for thus violating natural law be evaded.

That young orchards can now be grown with more profit, and
with as much certainty, as by the fathers.

That in planting orchards, good, thrifty and hardy trees only
should be used, to be followed by generous and careful treatment, or
failure will result.

That the quality and fitness of a tree for transplanting, depends
not so much on the longitude in which it is grown, as upon the
method of its production.

Discussion.

After reading his paper, questions were put to Mr. Shaw by sev-
eral members, Avhieh he answered, as follows:

QuES. Do you mean to say you would object to grafting a natural
tree that was of considerable size, pi'ovided the tree was perfectly

thrifty ?

92 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Ans. I would graft anj' tree before matni'it}". I have often been
asked whether it would be advisable to graft a tree that was fulh'
grown, bearing good crops and not making new wood. I think
there is just the line of separation between a tree profitable to graft
and one not profitable. If a tree makes no new wood, I would not
graft it. It is a safe line of demarkation between the two.

QuES. What was the age of your orchard at the time it came
under your care?

Ans. I don't know exactl}'. The man who planted it took up
that piece of land about 17<So or 1786. The orchard was probably
planted in 1790. I came into possession in 1850. It was then, as
I suppose, sixt}' years old ; a little too old. The point I make in these
matters is : that if an orchard has been neglected in its prime, or
reduced by over-production, it is like a man who over-works him-
self all through his life, he is not likely to live as long as he other-
wise would. He will look older at seventy than he would if not
over-worked. I think you cannot violate natural laws without suf-
fering the penalty. If a tree has become prematurely' old, it never
can go back. Another point : After j'ou begin to renovate a tree,
as ni}' friend is now doing with his old orchard, that practice must
be continued in order to reap an}^ benefit. When that practice
ceases, ray observation is that the orchard will cease to he.

QuES. I understood you to sa}' that you lost that orchard, or it
went down suddenl}-, under your care, after a certain amount of
high cultivation which you gave it?

Ans. I mean to say that the neglect of twent3'-five j'ears wrought
as much mischief as fifty 3ears of age would if it had been cared
for properly.

Strout. I understand that Mr. Shaw's theory is, that there is in
both animal and vegetable life a certain amount of vital force. That
is to saj', a man lives, under ordinary' circumstances, to eighty or
ninety years. A tree will live to eight3' or ninety'. That period
may be reached sooner by neglect or by over-work. There are so
many years of life for a tree, to start under the most favorable
circumstances ; be^^ond that you cannot expect to go. So you
shorten that period by neglect. Any attempt at revivification must
be a failure hy virtue of that law.

QuES. How long will an orchard live under such care as it ought
to have?

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 93

Shaw. That is a fair question, but any answer I can give to it
would be mere theory I have not seen an orchard cared for in that
wa}- long enough. I am not disposed to say much about theories ;
they have cost me a good many hundred dollars.

QuES. I have heard it said that you cannot raise a young orcliard
where an old one has grown ; that all the material that went to make
a good apple tree would be exhausted after the}' had decayed and
gone down. I don't suppose it would be proper to put out a new
orchard where an old one grew ?

Ans. I advocate the idea that it needs common sense in the
treatment of orchards, as much as it does in raising corn. If you
can raise one crop of corn after another has been taken from the
ground, yon can raise a croj) of apple trees. In oi'der to reach the
success of our fathers, we must have as good and fertile soil. We
can raise as good crops as they did. It may cost more to keep the
ground in condition ; it may cost us something to replace what the}'
have taken from the soil. That is our misfortune ; but that can be
done. The difficulty does not exist in the nature of the case, but
in our misapprehension of their success. The real difficult}' is in
the conditions. If any condition has been interferred with, it must
be supplied.

Atiiertox. I wish to speak of my own experience in the renova-
tion of an old orchard. I think the ti'ees must have been sixty
years old, and were mostly grafted. They had been neglected.
Aft<'r it came into our possession we plowed it, manured it highly
and pruned the trees. Of course the effect was seen at once. The
leaves put out with greater vigor and better color, and the fruit was
larger and better. The consequence was, that this treatment
stimulated the trees, and although they produced fruit heavih', they
began to go back, and to die faster. The limbs broke down. There
was an unnatural stimulation. Since that I have mulched the old
trees by spreading manure under them. By mulching them and not
disturbing the roots the effect, so far as I have learned, will be
much better than plowing, and thus breaking the roots. The old
trees cannot stand as much the}' could once. I know of another
orchard standing on the side of a hill which, when it was j'oung,
the i)roprietor used to plow year after year and sow with oats. He
used to have great crops by that practice ; keeping it under cultiva-
tion. The trees were old and healthy and strong. They raised
oats and put on dressing; but after a while he seeded it down.

qj^ STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Afterwards the orchard came into the hands of another man, who
plowed it up and pruned it heavily. That orchard went down

quicklv.

There is another point in Mr. Shaw's paper, with regard to graft-
ing from the roots. I have a number of good healthy trees that are
of quite good size and have borne fruit, that came from sprouts ; I
think Mr! Smith, of Monmouth, has a number of such trees. I have
been watching those trees to see how they would get along : how
much they would bear as compared with other trees. I find they
are doing well so far, and see no ditference in any way whatever.

Shaw! I did not advance any theory respecting the growing of
trees from sprouts ; I only stated my experience. I have no doubt
that trees can be grown from sprouts.

Bennoch. With respect to the matter of grafting, alluded to by
Mr. Shaw : the vounger a tree is grafted the better it is for it. I
want a tree threes-ears old to graft if I can have it so ; then I want
to put the top on. Then they heal over readily. Grafting in the
limbs is a good way, but you have to contend with suckers.

Mr. Bennoch, bv request, explained the method of grafting prac-
ticed by himself, 'which he calls -lap-grafting." He exhibited
specimens of scions set in this manner in different stages of growth,
and illustrated his remarks by reference to them and by performing
the operation of grafting, consequently no report could be made.
This method is illustrated in the report for 1881, as a - modified
form of saddle grafting," and as explained by Mr. Bennoch at the
meeting at Gardiner.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 95

IN M EMORIAM

JOSEPH TAYLOR.

The death of Joseph Taylok, which occurred about the first of
July, 1882, at Westport, Mass., where he was visiting at the time,
was announced, and appropriate remarks were made b^' the Presi-
dent and several members.

The following sketch of Mr. Taylor's life and character, con-
tributed mainl}' b}- Mr. George E. Minot of Belgrade, was read
by the Secretary :

Joseph Taylor was born in the town of Belgrade, in the j-ear 1804.
He was brought up on his father's farm and attended the town
school. After having acquired a good practical education he devoted
himself to teaching in the winter and farming in the summer. As
an instructor of youth he was ver}' successful, alwaj's winning the
respect and love of his pupils. He served in the capacity of Select-
man and Treasurer of his town ; and during nearly all of the time
from 1835 to 1870, he was a member of the Superintending School
Committee, which position he filled with much credit to himself and
to the entire satisfaction of his townsmen. In his frequent visits to
the schools he was always welcomed bj' both teachers and pupils.
He always manifested great interest in the youth of his town, espec-
iallv in their moral and religious training, ever speaking to them
words of encouragement and cheering them on in their preparation
for the conflicts of life.

In 1846, Mr. Taylor was elected as Representative to the Legis-
ture and was again re-elected in 1852, in which position he served
upon important committees and was a useful and careful legislator.
He was a leading and influential member of the Societj- of Friends,
and was often employed in missionary labor for the upholding and
propagation of the faith of which he was an earnest defender. In
the local and quarterly meetings of the society he was always an
interesting speaker. At the time of his decease he had recently
attended the yearly meeting of his denomination, at Providence, R.
I., whither he had gone about three weeks previously, in his usual

96 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

health. At the close of the meeting" he went to visit one of his sons
at Westport, Mass., where he was taken sick and died as above
stated.

Mr. Ta^ylor was early interested in frnit-cultnre, and during the
last twent}' years of his life was so extensively and successfulh'
engaged in it, as to justly place him in the front rank among the
best orchardists of the State. The numerous exhibits which he
made at the State and county exhibitions and the uniform excellence
of the specimens which he exhibited, as well as his extensive sales
and the high reputation of his products in the markets, are the best
evidence of his success in his favorite avocation. He became a
member of this Societ}- at its organization, and was punctual in his
attendance at its meetings and exhibitions. As senior Vice Presi-
dent, he was frequently called upon to preside at the meetings,
which he did with ease and dignity-. In the discussion of pomologi-
cal questions and in his written articles for the Society's reports and
the agricultural papers, he expressed his ideas clearl3- and forcibly,
but alw ays courteously.

It was in the social and private relations of life that the true char-
acter of Mr. Taylor shone most conspicuously. The words of cheer
which he ever had for ever}' one struggling under adverse circum-
stances, and the smiling countenance with which he always met his
friends will be long remembered. In his family relations he was
remarkably happy, living to see his five sons and two daughters
grow to manhood and womanhood, and all respected in their several
positions in life. Universal sorrow filled the hearts of his neighbors
when the news of his death spread throughout his native town, and
ever}- one united in saying that a trul}- good man had been taken
aw a}'.

The following resolutions were adopted :

Whereas, Joseph Tajlor of Belgrade, a life member and first Vice President of
this Society, has since the last Winter Meeting, been removed from among us by
death, and

Wherkas, His constant attendance and participation at our meetings, his deep
interest in the Society, his marked success as an orchardist, and his upright and
amiable character and disposition have endeared him to us as his associates, therefore

KESOLVtD, That it is with the deepest sorrow that we record our loss, and that we
will ever cherish the memory of his virtues and of his labors among us.

Resolved, That as a token of our regard for his memory, these resolutions be
entered at length upon the records cf the Society, and published with the proceed-
ings; and that a copy of the same be transmitted to his family.

Adjourned.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 97

Evening Session.

Owing to the inclemenc}' of the weather, the evening session was
held at the Ehiiwood Hotel, where a large number of the members
boarded. The exercises were of a highly interesting character, but
as the reporter could not be present no report was made, and we
can only present a brief outline.

Instructive remarks were made by the President, on the process
of budding fruit trees. Mr. Gilbert spoke of the Apple Maggot.
(Tn/peta jwmonella,) and read extracts from a paper by Professor
Comstock in the Report of the Department of Agriculture for 1882.
A paper on the same subject was also contributed by Mr. S. C.
Harlow of Bangor. A paper on '•'Commercial Rose Growing," was
presented by Mr. William E. Morton of Portland. Various local
reports and letters from absent members were read by the Secretary,
a portion of which will appear hereafter.

Votes of thanks were passed to the municipal officers and citizens
of Waterville for the use of the town hall ; to the Maine Central
Railroad for free return tickets ; to the proprietors of the Elmwood
Hotel for reduction of rates of board and their kind attention to the
comfort of the members ; to Messrs. Peter De Rocher of Waterville
and William H. Pierson of Vassalboro', for the thoroughness and
perfection of the local arrangements for the meeting ; and to the
several speakers and essa3'ists.

Various pomological subjects were discussed informally, among
them a large collection of apples, presented by Mr. Merrill of West
Gloucester, and, at an early hour, after a most interesting session,
the meeting was

Adjourned sine die..

98 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

THE APPLE.— USES IN FAMILY, WAYS OF PREPARING,
PRESERVING AND SERVING IT.*

BY MRS. A. L. HERSEY OF OXFORD.

I venture to say that no one present would be willing to exchange
the apple for either the peach, the pear, the orange or the lemon,
the pineapple or the bannana, or, indeed, for any other tropical
fruit. I presume there is no fruit the New England house-keeper
would miss so much, especially in the culinary department, as the
apple, and certainly there is nothing that could supply its place.
Judging from my own obserA'ation, the good father of the house-
hold, too, would find it, if possible, still more difficult than would
his housekeeper to dispense with the apple in the bill of fare at the
family table.

Only last month some of the convicts at Sing Sing rebelled
because they did not have their apple-sauce twice a week. Indeed,
I quite wonder it had not been Adam, instead of Eve, that yielded
to the temptation of the fair apples in the Garden of Eden ; and had
it not been that Eve was the quicker to appreciate, by sight and by
smell, the beauty and lusciousness of the fruit of the " Tree of
Life," I've no doubt but that the blame of our depraved natures
would have been laid at the door of man's frailtj', instead of being
borne by his young, impressible wife. I presume it was with Eve
as with the rest of us loyal wives. If anything new and nice is to
be had, it goes to our husbands ; and the sins we commit, first and
last, for his benefit, would ruin us all, were it not they were com-
mitted from a purely unselfish motive — our love and devotion to onr
"Adam."

But,- to my subject — the apple, its uses in the famil}'.

The same apple, uncooked, is a good digester, and is always a
welcome lunch. The tiny child, with only a half-dozen teeth, will
gnaw all around an apple, holding on to it with its little chubby hands
with the tenacity of a squirrel. The school boy or school girl will
eat more apples, ripe or green, than I should dare tell, and that
with impunity. The 3'oung miss and lad from twelve to sixteen
will fill their pockets with apples, and with book or paper and per-

* Read at a Farmers' Institute in Oxford county.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 99

haps a kitten or a dog for company, will go away by themselves and
read and eat by the hour, apparently supremel3- happy. The pater
familias, when he comes into the sitting-room for a rest or for a
passing word, alwaAS helps himself to the appetizing fruit from the
dish on the table ; and, in olden times, the pitcher of cider over the
broad fire-place, would be the loser when he left by a good full
glass of the yellow sparkling juice.

Through New England, in the country, apple-sauce is on the
table three times a da}' as regularly as is bread and butter. The
apples are pared, cored, stewed and sweetened, and if by chance
the same is spiced, as if for pies, the family eats a double portion.
When the cider comes home, all sweet from the mill, the cider
apple-sauce or apple jack is made. The cider is boiled down in
large quantities, sweet apples are placed in the bottom of the big
kettles to prevent scorching, and frequently a barrel is made at one
time for the winter's supply. It has a very tart, clean taste, and
eaten with meat is almost as nice as cranberries.

You have all heard of the pan-dowdy or pan-pie, the pride of onr-
grandmothers and the delight of many of their daughters. It was
baked in the brick oven. A large earthen pot was heaped full of
sweet apples, pared and cored, and was then half filled with equal
quantities of molasses and water, covered with a ver}' thick crust,
and not disturbed till morning. Then the crust was broken into the
steaming contents, which were rich and red, and the whole replaced
in the oven to stay till the oven was cold. It came out one hand-
some jellied mass, and was eaten with cream, and was second only
to strawberries and cream. The Indian pudding, which suggests
baked beans and brown bread, is better far with a good generous
addition of sweet apples.

What is richer than baked sweet apples eaten with cream or a
bowl of creamy milk ; sprinkle sugar over them before baking and put
a little water in the dish. All good wives cut them up for their
husbands, (this for the ladies only.) Nothing tastes so good to the
invalid, just beginning to rally from a long sickness, as the baked
sour apple, and nothing is safer for him to eat.

Perhaps the most palatable, as well as the simplest way of cook-
ing the fruit for dessert, is in the form of sago pudding. Put a
cup of sago in a pint of warm water to soak ; cover your pudding-
dish with whole sour apples, pared and cored ; sprinkle a small cup
of sugar over them and nearly enough hot water to cover them.

IQO STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Let it remain in the oven till the apples begin to soften, then pour
over them the sago and water and replace it in oven for twenty
minutes or more, till it thickens and browns ; it should be eaten with
cream and sugar, and is very harmless and delicate.

Birds-nest pudding is a very tempting dessert, as all know who
have tiied it. Pare six apples ; take out the cores without breaking ;
fill the holes with sugar, after placing the apples in an eartlien pud-
ding-dish; make a batter of one pint milk, two table spoons flour
and three eggs ; pour over the apples and bake until the fruit is soft ;
to be served with cream sauce, viz : half a cup of butter beaten until
light, cup of powdered sugar, half a cup of cream. Set the dish in
a basin of hot water and stir until it is creSiYay. This will take but
a minute. Then there is the apple-dumpling steamed and the apple-
dumpling baked — both good and hearty. Apple-snow is nice, and
quite ornamental for the tea-iable. Steam a cup of sour sliced
apple until soft; beat light the whites of two eggs; add a cup of
pulverized sugar, gradually beating in the steamed apple ; to be
placed on boiled custard, as in floating island, and ornamented with

jelly.

But the all-essential, omnipresent dish at the New England
farmer's table is the apple-pie. Apple-pie in the morning, apple-
pie for lunch, apple-pie for dinner, apple-pie for supper. He never
tires of it. There is the Yankee apple-pie — sliced apple, sweetened
with molasses, with a dash of sugar and spice and a little salt or
butter ; and then there is the same, sweetened with sugar obI>- ; and
there is the stewed apple-pie, made of sauce with extra sugar and
spice placed between the flak}^ crusts ; and how luscious are the
■little apple-pies, cut with biscuit cutter, made to grace the tea-table
^'hen apples first begin to ripen ; or apple turn-overs fried a la
doughnuts. Last but not least, our never-failing winter dessert,
mince-pie, is dependent upon chopped apples and cider for its rich
unique composition.

Some of you know that there has been a great outcry over this
fw-called "relic of barbarism," " the pie." The}' tell us it is pro-
lific of dyspepsia, of sleepless nights, of consequent ill-temper and
ift-etfulness ; and if this 'be so, who knows but the majority of our
• divorse cases are ascribable to had pie-crust? for here is where the
mischief lies. Pie crust made with poor lard, poor at best, which
we get at our grocers ; pie crust made with olive oil, which is now
sold for shortening ; pie crust made with oleomargarine ; pie crust

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. IQl

made with top of the pot, or with sueh soap grease generall}- ; pie
crust thick and heavy ; pie crust soaked, soggj-, half cooked ; such
pie crust is an abomination. It is unfit for an}' human stomacii.
If I had cream and butter I should use nothing else for pastry.
Put soda and salt in cream before mixing, roll out two or three
times, spreading over it small pieces of butter and a little flour each
time ; roll verj' thin for plate — be sure your plate is not an old one
soaked with fat — and bake a good, rich brown, on both sides. Bet-
ter burn than have a slack bake. Thus pie crust can be made
simply, 3et appetizingly, and the farmer can have his pie without
dyspepsia.

I have tried a receipt for cake, where dried apples chopped and
stewed in molasses, is substituted for raisins and currants, but I did
not think it nice.

I have heard of fried apples and pork, and of some being very
fond of the dish, but it seems to me the ingredients are incom-
patibles.

Preserving Apples.

Canned sweet apples flavored with quince are almost or quite as
nice as pear. Preserved with equal parts of sugar, flavored with
quince and lemon, the apples' transparent richness delights the eye
and the palate. Apple jelly, or marmalade, from the common or
crab apple, is equall}' good.

The primitive way of preserving apples by paring, coring and
stringing, and hanging on long poles in the spacious kitchen, inau-
gurated the afyple bee. To this the young people looked forward
with as much glee as to the husking or to the quilting. How manj-
of us can remember how, on such occasions, apple seeds would go
shooting across the room, hitting some unsuspecting youth and
bringing an involuntary scream — or remember, perhaps, of taking
an apple and counting the seeds with the favored one, as we went
through with the conventional :

1, I love, 7, She lores.

2, I love, 8, Both love.

3, I love, they say; 9, Ho comes,

4, I love with all my heart, 10, He tarries,

5, I cast away. 11, He courts,

6, He loves. 12, Ho marries.

I believe the twelve seeds were never forthcoming. Alack-aday !
Those were happy days indeed. But only memory can bring them

102 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

back, foi' the indomitable Yankee has given us machines to pare,
machines to core, machines to slice, and the evaporator to dry — and
there are no naore excuses for ^youthful flirtations.

In those da3-s the apples were shaken from the trees and put in
bins, like potatoes — were worth but a trifle in the market. But now
the demand for exportation keeps the prices up, and the farmer
finds his crop of apples pa3's him better than his corn or potatoes,
and is almost as necessar}- for farail}- use. The 3'oang trees mature
quickly, and with plenty of ashes dressing, as I know from experi-
ence, will astonish 3'ou with their heavy burden of large, handsome
fruit.

Among the cheaper varieties I have found the Minister and Mother
apples the best for cooking. The}' are ver^' large bearers and keep
well. The Greening and Yellow Bellflower are equally good, but
command a higher price as eating apples. They are all juicy, easih'
cooked, and of a sharp, acid flavor. I think we do not half appre-
ciate the value of the sweet apple. The Minister, as well as the
Summer Sweets, should be more valuable than sour. They are
scarcer, the}' are very heart}', and certainly, when properly cooked,
there is nothing nicer. I find that the small, unmerchantable apples
pay better, fed in small quantities to the cows, colts, pigs and hens,
in the winter, when they can get no green food, than in any other
way. They eat them with avidity, and they sharpen the appetite
by giving a little variety.

The borer here is the greatest enemy of the apple tree. It
requires time and patience as well as constant watchfulness to
exterminate him. It is said that sand piled around the trunk of the
tree will prevent his depredations, but I should not put too much
reliance upon it.

Hoping the apple of discord may not enter your Society, and that
your wisdom and your records may be as apples of gold in pictures
of silver, I wish you all success.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 103

COMMERCIAL ROSE GROWING.

BY WM. E. MORTON, OF PORTLAND.

This is a subject in which those who are engaged in pomology or
general farming may not be so much interested as the florist or
those who have an interest in the production of fine flowers in our
cold winter climate. It is a trade by itself, — one that requires con-
stant care, 3'ears of experience, and above all a love for the busi-
ness. The farmer who produces his crops under the genial skies of
our New England summer, hardh' realizes the difficulties under
which we labor in our cold, blustering winter weather, to produce
an artificial summer atmosphere in which roses will flourish, sending
forth a constant succession of fragrant flowers day after day,
regardless of the zero weather outside. I propose to give a few brief
directions, as practiced in m}' own business ; and shall speak of
the subject under the following heads, viz : Location, House or
houses, Heat, Soil, Manure, Plants, Varieties, Care, Cutting buds.
Market, Profits.

1st — Location. This must be well sheltered and exposed to the
sunliglit all day, or at least the greater part of the time. In our
cold climate, with short dark days, we must have a location where
all the sun that there is can be obtained, otherwise failure is certain.

2d — Houses. These ought to be not less than 20 feet wide, 100
feet long, walls 3 feet high and not over 8 feet high in center of
house ; low houses can be kept warm so mucii better than high
ones.

3d — Heat. Whatever method you. use, flue, hot water or steam,
(and it is yet a question which is the best, hot water or steam,) the
houses must be kept at a temperature of not less than sixty degrees,
no matter what the weather may be outside.

4th — iSoil. This must be a stiff" clay loam, well enriched with
manure and leaf mould.

5th — Manure. Tliis nuist be well rotted cow manure. Our
practice is to give the beds a coating of some tln-ee inches early in
September and again in December. This has proved with us none
too much.

104 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

6th — Plants. Always plant out small bushes in preference to
large ones ; good healthy plants, from three inch pots, are the
best.

7th — Varieties. Bon Silene, Saffron and Isabella vSprunt, are the
best for a contmuous supph'. Nephetos for white, with Marshal
Niel. Souv. Malmaison, Paul Nieron, Pearl of the Garden, and a
few others, for fancy varieties.

8th — Care. This must be constant, pruning, syringing, fumi-
gating, weeding and ventilating, with the man}' things a careful
cultivator will find to do.

9th — Cutting of Buds. This should be done as soon as the out-
side leaves commence to start. In other woi-ds. cut close buds.
They will open all a uniform size in a vase of water in about ten
hours, if in a warm room and are kept sprinkled.

10th — MarJcet. It is of course better to have a retail trade. If
not, find some dealer who will take all you grow two or three times
a week. Otherwise, you will have to consign to some commission
house in the large cities ; they will sell at twenty per cent, commis-
sion, you to pa}- all express charges and stand all loss of unsold
goods.

11th — Profits. I am hardly prepared to say what these will be.
It will depend so much upon the weather, demand, supply, &c.

Remarks. The foregoing applies to rose-growing under glass in
winter. The production of fine roses out of doors for the summer
trade requires different treatment, of which I ma}' have something to
say at some future time.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 105

THE APPLE MAGGOT.

{Trypeta Pomonella Walsh.)
Order Dipteua ; fainil,y Trypetid.ii:.

"Eating into the pulp of apples and causing them to decay; a white cylindrical
maggot, which when full-grown goes into the ground to transform. The adult is a
black and white fly, with banded wings."

[E.xtracts from paper by Prof. J. Henry Comstock, of Cornell University, N. Y., in
Keport of Department of Agriculture for 1882.]

" There is another enemy of the apple which, in certain localities,
rivals the Codlin-moth in the extent of the injuiy it does. I refer
to the insect known as the Apple Maggot, and which is becoming
quite common in certain parts of New York and New J>ngland."

" The Apple Maggot is a small white footless larva, measuring
from .19 to .27 inch in length. In some instances the body is
yellowish-white ; in others it has a greenish tinge. 'The important
peculiarity* in the habits of this insect is that it bores tunnels in all
directions through the pulp of the fruit ; frequently these tunnels
enlarge into cavities the size of a pea ; and when several larvjB are
present in the same apple it is honeycombed so as to be rendered
useless.

It will be seen at once that the injury done by this pest is even
more serious than that done by the Codlin-moth. For as the injury
caused by the latter insect is confined to the neighborhood of the
core and to a single, nearly straight, and conspicuous tunnel which
the larva makes when leaving the apple, it often happens that the
injured parts of an api)le may be cutaway and the remainder eaten.
But the nature of the injury caused by the Apple INIaggot is such
that when fruit becomes infested by this insect no one cares to
attempt to use it.

The Apple Maggot is a native American insect, which naturally
feeds on the different species of hawthorn {Crataegus) and upon
crab-apples. It is probable that this insect occurs througliout the
country wherever hawthorns or crab-apples are found. INIr. Walsh
observed it long ago as far west as Illinois, and I have bred the
adult insect from a species of Crataegus growing on the Agricultural
Grounds at Washington.

IQQ STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

In certain parts of New York and New England the species lias
acquired the habit of feeding upon the cultivated apple. But, what
is ver}- remarkable, it does not appear to have done so in other parts
of the countr}'. Thus, although Mr. Walsh bred this insect from
haws in Illinois twenty 3'ears ago, I can find no record of its infest-
ing apples in that State yet. And in Washington it infests haws
growing near an orchard in which it has not been observed.

In those localities in which this insect has spread to the cultivated
apples and become common it is even a more serious pest than the
Codlin-moth, except that it seems to be more fastidious in its choice
of food than that insect. Thus, although I have observed it for
several seasons in one of the orchards of Cornell University, I have
found it onl}' in a few varieties of fruit. This may account for the
slowness of the spreading of the species from haws and crab-apples
to the cultivated apple, and may afford a means of reducing to a
minimum the injuries of this pest.

In certain parts of New Hampshire the Apple Maggot is known
as the ' Railroad Worm.' The extent of the ravages of this insect
in certain parts of that State is indicated b}' the following extract
from a letter which I have received from Mr. N. W. Hardy, of the
town of Nelson :

In regard to the Railroad Worm, I never saw one in this town. In the last six
years they have worked in the adjoining towns of Hancoclj and Dublin. They are
confined to early apples as soon as they ripen.

I saw a man the other day that suid that this insect had ruined his apples so that
he would have to graft them into winter apples.

Many of the early varieties of apples in Hancock and Dublin were rendered entirely
worthless. We have more to fear from this insect than any other that preys upon
the apple.

Mr. Isaac Hicks, of Long Island, who was one of the first to
observe this insect in apples, man}- years ago, does not consider it
so serious a pest as does the correspondent just quoted. The fol-
lowing extract from a letter recently received from him is interesting
as bearing on this point, and as suggesting remedial measures :

Thine of 17th received; and, in reply, will give thee what little I know of the
Apple Maggot, Trypcta pomonella. Its ravages bear no comparison to the injury done
by the Codlin-moth to fruit. Last year being the non-bearing season, we saw very
few apples, if any, infested with it. It is different from the Codlin-moth, which can
place its egg in the verj' young fruit, go through its transformations, and lay its eggs
in winter apples. We soldom see the Trypeta until about the 1st of September, and
never in green fruit. Only in the ripest apples and in sweet or mellow subacid fruit
are they found by us. I think they cannot e.\ist to much e.\tent if pigs or sheep run

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 107

in the orchard, as they prefer the ripe apples, in which alone the Apple Maggots can
develop and attain their growth. Ilenco, where the fruit that falls is picked up fre-
quently and sent to mill to bo ground, or whore pigs and stock or the family consume
it freely, very few of the Maggots arrive to perfection.

It is evident, from my observations and from those of ray corres-
pondents, that the Apple Maggot is much more apt to infest early
apples than the wintei* varieties. But the latter are not exempt
from its attacks. Mr. Henrj- Thacker, of the Oneida Community,
New York, writes me as follows :

This worm at this place, and at this time, is mostly confined to certain varieties of
autumn apples. But at Wallingford, Conn., the winter apples were ravaged as well.
Of late years, however, the Baldwin and some other varieties of winter apples grow-
ing hero have been found bored by this maggot."

* * "In the autumn when the larvae are full-grown thcN' leave
the apple and enter the ground and transform to pupoe. In my
breeding-cages the pupae were found about one-half inch below the
surface of the ground. When the change to pupa occurs the body
shortens, but the larval skin is not molted, the transformation
occurring within the dried skin of the larva. The pupa, therefore,
resembles the larva very much, except that it is shorter, of an oval
outline, and of a pale yellowish-brown color. Length about 1-5
iuch.

The insect remains in the pupa state during the entire winter and
earl}- summer. Specimens which I bred in Washington began to
emerge as adults Maj' 28, and continued to emerge till July G. But
as these were kept in a warm room during the entire winter, their
development was doubtless accelerated."

* * "The length of the body of the adult male is 1-5 inch ; of
the female, 1-4 inch. This fly can be easily recognized by the
peculiar shape of the black bands on the wings, by the milk-white
spot on the caudal part of the thorax (scutellum), and by the white
bands on the abdomen." *******

" Remedies. — The more practicable ways of lessening the injuries
caused by this pest are those suggested in the letters quoted above
— the destruction of infested fruit promptl}' after its fall from the
tree, and before the maggots leave it to go into the ground to trans-
form ; and when the pest is very abundant, the grafting of the trees
into varieties less liable to be infested. In such a case it might be
well to leave one or two trees of earl}' apples to serve as traps, and

108 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

prompth' destro}' the fruit as it falls from them. If such trees
could be inclosed, and sheep or pigs pastured under them, the suc-
cess of the trap would be assured.

The Apple Maggot can be readily distinguished from the larva of
the Codlin-moth by the absence of feet and the fact that it infests
the pulp rather than the vicinity of the core. But there are other
maggots which are associated with this species, and with the larva
of the Codlin-moth also, which are not readily distinguished from
the true Apple Maggot. These other species pertain to the genus
Drosopldla^ and feed upon decaying fruit. They cannot be con-
sidered, therefore, under ordinar3' circumstances, as noxious insects
in an orchard. Two species of this genus are described in follow-
ing articles, under the name of Pomace Flies."

To the foregoing Mr. Harlow adds : This insect seems to be
increasing to such an extent in our own State within a few years as
to cause serious alarm among growers of fruit. In my own expe-
rience, thus far, its ravages have been mostly confined to eai'ly
ripening autumn apples, particularlv mellow, sweet ones, such as
the Golden and Hightop Sweet ; but I have also found them in the
Danvers Winter Sweet as well as some acid varieties, as the Graven-
stein, Jenneting and Porter. Fortunate would it be were their
depredations confined to early mellow apples, as some have sup-
posed ; but although preferring them, I find my own experience to
the contrary- confirmed by other cultivators of fruit. * *

There are several points of interest concerning this insect on
which more light is needed, for successful warfare. The first is the
identification of the egg and determining the exact time and manner
of its deposit on the apple. A second one is, does the larva, like
that of the Codlin-moth, pass from one fruit to another on the tree?
Third ; can the parent fl}' be caught in any wa}', by bottles or other-
wise, more successfully than its ally, the Codlin-moth? Fourth;
can it be driven from the tree or killed at the time of depositing its
eggs, by spraying with any liquid which will neither taint or poison
the apple, considering it does not infest the apple till nearly ripe?
Fifth and lastly ; is there any parasite which b^- being protected and
cultivated can assist us in its extermination?

While trying to inform ourselves on these and similar points, let
lis lose no time in availing ourselves of the knowledge already
gained.

STATE POMOLOUICAL SOCIETY. JQQ

Extracts from Letters Pteceived.

[From N, T. True, M. b., of Bethel.]

Perhaps I can do no better service to the cause of orchard culture
than by giving ni}- own experience since I described my method of
setting out an orchard at a previous meeting of the Society.
[Report 187G, p. 71.] Actual results are usually far preferable to
theories.

My two young orchards were composed of seedling stocks trans-
planted with great care six years ago. 1 did not engraft them till
the}- had become well rooted and gi-owing thriftily, because I then
believed, as I now do. that I should lose a smaller number of stocks
than if I had done it when they were transplanted. Out of my two
orchards, I have lost but two stocks — one, b}' transplanting to its
roots a dead calf, and the other, from having a dead heart in its
infanc}'.

The stocks are all engrafted in one orchard, but in different
years, as the}' seemed best fitted for the purpose. I have alwa3's
left some small shoots below the stock so that in case of failure I
might save the stock. Man}- of the tops are becoming quite treeish.
I have kept my trees all well mulched chiefly with maple leaves.
These have been of great value. I have allowed the land to be
seeded down to grass one 3-ear, but re-plowed last spring, removed
the mulching and earth, and supplied a dressing of well decomposed
compost of muck and barn manure. They have grown finely the
past year. My other orchard has had less care, but is doing well.
A few stocks engrafted with King of Tompkins County, were killed
last winter.

I have endeavored to anticipate the future of the tree by shaping
it as soon as I could with a good spreading top. I have applied
whitewash made of lime and l3'e from leached ashes.

These are all the points I find worthy of note with reference to
what I have done.

liut as attention is not usuall}' given to reporting our omissions
and mistakes, I will simply add, that if I were to prepare my hard

110 STATE POMOLOUICAL SOCIETT.

rock}' land for another orchard, I would run my dead furrows on
the line where I would set the trees, dig down still deeper so as to
make an underdraiu, and then throw in all the small stone I could
gather from the land, making a blind drain, fill it up with earth and
plant the trees over the drain. If properl}- managed, the labor
would not be great, while good drainage, and a healthier tree would
be grown, drought would not affect them, the roots would extend
much farther, and a larger tree with a more rapid growth would be
secured, and, lastly, an abundance of fruit.

With reference to the borer, I have failed in every experiment
except that of a sharp knife and wire. Trees should be examined
ever}' month during the season, and the borers dislodged as earl}' as
possible after the eggs have been deposited.

[From D. J. Bp.iggs, South Turner.]

The fruit crop in this vicinity is not as large as in some former
years. The high winds in early fall blew off" one-quarter, and in
some unsheltered localities, one-half of the entire crop, which were
not matured, and of course sold at a reduced price. Those that did
not blow off made a good growth and were colored ver}' nicely but
somewhat worm}'. Apples are selling for a good price at the
present time. Pears were scarce and sold well in the fall.

In this locality the scions that were set in 1881 made a very good
growth ; but from some cause, in the spring of 1882, more than
one-half of them did not start. Some say they were winter killed,
but my judgment is tiiat in making so large a growth in September
the same year they were set, and then being exposed to the severe
cold of October 5th of the same year, (so cold that it froze apples
on the trees,) I think the scions were frozen so as to stop the circu-
lation of the sap.

Fruit production in a large portion of Maine is bringing a large
income to the producers, and it would be well to have more legisla-
tive action on so very important a branch of farming ; say give the
Society that represents this industry $1,000 a year, so as to encour-
age our farmers to enter into it with more zeal.

Would it not be well for the Society to hold more meetings, in
different parts of the State, perhaps one in June and another in
August, when the pomologist is in his glory? I think the Society

STATK POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. m

would increase its membership b\- so doing ; there ought to be ten
members where there is one now.

[From B. F. Mathews, Hope.]

In the vicinity where I reside, the first settlers, being near the
sea shore, did not engage in orcharding, but more especially in
lumbering, — ever}' farmer setting about one hundred trees, allowing
them to grow the same as forest trees. If there happened to be a
sweet apple the tree was clubbed and stoned until it ceased to bear
fruit.

Nearl}' fifty j'ears ago, Jacob White of Hope, brought from
Massachusetts a small bundle of scions of the Baldwin, which were
set in the orchards of Bojce Crane, Esq., Abner Dunton and Daniel
Bartlett, of Hope. From that time the farmers began to improve
their orchards, and now they have some very fine ones. It has
been hard to dispose of our fruit for full prices on account of having
no sale for it in large lots. But that time is past, and we can now
sell at our homes all we can raise. Mr. L. S. True of Hope, is
shipping all he can find in the vicinity, to Liverpool. He packs in
barrels made to order, lined with paper. Mr. J. Gould is handling
about three thousand bushels. Dr. Isaac Bartlett & Son are using
three thousand bushels in their cider mill. So you perceive we have
a market for all we can raise. The Baldwin is a good bearer in our
vallej's about our mountains. For winter fruit the Baldwin leads,
and with the King, Northern Sp}', Roxbur}* and Golden Russets, are
all I would cultivate. For late fall and winter the Hubbardston,
Fletcher Sweet and Gravenstein are about all that are profitable.
It does not paj- to raise earl}' fruit for twentj'-five cents per bushel.

If I were to begin life again, I would purchase twent3'-five acres
of land, set it to winter fruit, setting the trees fort}' feet apart each
way, so as to give ample room to cart dressing without interfering
with the trees, keeping the trees well mulched, allowing no grass or
sprouts to grow about the trunks, keeping the tops open ; would
not scrape the trunks, but apply the dressing and let that do its
work. Never saw or cut a limb until the buds start in the si)ring,
or later than August; if you do the bark will not heal over the
cleft. Cut when the tree is growing and it will heal over very
rapidly. Fruit should be carefully handled, never allowed to lay on

]^12 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

the ojround after being put in barrels. Market vvlien the fruit is in
its best condition.

[From H. A. Spragde, Charlotte, Washington County.]

I would state that as 3-et a majority of the farmers of this county
do not realize the importance of fruit culture, or rather apple culture,
for this appears to be the on!}' fruit, (except perhaps some of the
small fruit), which has as ^et been proved to be profitable here.
Our farmers are, however, graduall}' seeing the profits of the apple
crop, and more attention is being given to this branch of agriculture
each 3ear. As 3'et Washington county' does not produce apples
enough for home consumption, but I think the time is not far dis-
tant when she will have, a surplus for export.

I have but little to add to what I said two years ago in regard to
varieties tested in this vicinity. Of the King Sweeting, I think I
ought to have said half-hard}', instead of hard}'.

My Talman's Sweets have borne every year since commencing,
but bear heaviest in even ^-ears.

Be7i Davis continues to sell well alter Baldwins are out of the
market, and man}- people think they are good, when they have no
better ones to compare them with.

Wealthy, I think, will be for this latitude what the Baldwin is fur-
ther south.

Magog Redstreak, I think, will prove hard}', vigorous and pro-
ductive, but is not as good for eating or keeping as the Wealthy.

Scott's Winter has a good flavor in spring, and I think will,
when well known, be more popular than Ben Davis.

Alexander has not fruited with me yet, but is said to be profitable
by those who have it in bearing.

The greatest draw-back to fruit culture in this county is insects ;
and the greatest cause of the multiplication of insects, is the destruc-
tion of birds and toads ; and the greatest destruction of birds and
toads is caused by summer tourists. They kill the birds for sport,

or for taxidermic purposes, and both toads and frogs for pickerel
bait.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 113

[From D. B. Woodbury, Paris.]

The benefit that may be derived from this meeting cannot be over-
estimated.

It is ver}- necessary that we start aright in all things. Perhaps
more so in Pomolog3' than many others, as many ^-ears uiay pass
before we discover an erijpr involving much labor and delay to
rectify-.

That our labor may be both profitable and pleasant we must avail
ourselves of each others experience, and in no way can this be
better done than by meetings like this.

The probable increase of our population should encourage us to
do our very best to furnish them with an abundance of the very best
fruit. It is a necessary- article of food, as well as a luxury. It
pays well to see it growing, and will pa}' well in the future at selling
time. As the population has doubled every twenty-five years we
should prepare to double our fruit product to meet the increasing
demand. It might pa}- us to quit exporting our Main-born people,
and have their help to double the fruit crop for exportation instead.

Our climate and location, though far at one corner, afford us
advantages in growing and exporting fruit that should not be for-
gotten. Our long, cool autumn is just what our apples want to
finish their growth, and prevent their ripening too early. With
our rapid transportation we can send them around the world three
months before the}' perish with us. If our Baldwins ripened by
August we should have to catch and eat as they fell from the trees,
but as they are slow growers they only finish their growth here before
cold weather, and keep till spring. *****

Perfection will never be attained, but let not this discourage us
from coming as near it as possible.

Every farm or garden spot should contain a good suppl}' of apple,
pear, plum and cherr}' trees. Nor should we forget to provide the
grape, raspberry, currant and gooseberr}' ; and a strawbenT bed
sufficient for the needs of its visitors, which will include the birds.
As we want their help and com[)any we ma}' as well grow enough
of all fruits to give them their share of the best.

In our flowers we are more favored, for the birds have not yet
learned their worth or their own needs, though they take their baths
in my Pond Lily tubs of a morning. And as every living thing was
created for some good purpose, let us give the flowers their place
and read a cheering lesson from their bright faces.

114 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

The field in which we labor is a vast one, and we need never think
to say " the work is done." But others will begin where we leave
off, and our failures may aid them to success. Some one of them
that loves to originate new varieties through hybridization may even
produce " a successor to the Baldwin" and our best pear and grape.

I regret that I cannot be present, %nd await j'our report with
much interest.

[From J. W. Lang, Brooks.]

Rejyort from Waldo County.

In this vicinity the past year it has been a fairl}- prosperous
season. The first of the season was wet and cool up to Jul}' 10th
or thereabouts. After that drj- with but little rain-fall. Apple
trees blossomed with great fullness and a large crop set. On the
approach of drouth, many fell off, and of the matured crop nearly
all were undersized. The crop, as a whole, was an average one.
Better varieties are more and more set, and grafted into older
orchards 3'ear after 3'ear, and we can see a steadj', though perhaps
slow growth in orcharding and fruit culture in Waldo couut3\ The
first requisite in stimulation of any branch of business is faith in
that business. We are getting a better faith in fruit growing, in
our soils, in our location, and better knowledge and better appre-
ciation is taking root in a healthy form. No variety of apple has
stronger hold or is growing in popularity more with us than that old
standard, the Baldwin. Home raised trees are set in larger propor-
tion than formerh-. Sales of trees from abroad are growing beauti-
fully less. No more crabs, please !

One evaporator, consuming thousands of bushels of best natural
and second quality grafted apples, has been established, and has
operated two seasons, in Montville, turning out a superior product
and doing a paying business. There are many good locations for
other evaporators and creameries in our county, and we hope this
pioneer establishment ma\' verj' soon be many times duplicated.
Cider apples, of which large quantities are suffered to grow, do not
pay for picking and manufacture. Slowly these old cider orchards
are dying out, or are being regrafted where practicable, and all the
younger trees are being pressed into bearing.

Waldo county has man}' good orchardists scattered over its
extent, notable among whom are F. W. Ritchie of Winterport, A.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 215

B. Strattard of Monroe, B. Plummer of West "Wiuterport, B. "Web-
ber and H. Webber of Monroe, Freeman Partridge of Prospect, and
Charles Bellows of Freedom, and these are but samples. It is
beginning to be understood that we have lots of excellent orchard
sections, and ever\- farm has at least, with hardly an exception, one
or more good orchard sites.

In pears, we are just starting in here and there, and this fruit can,
as 3'et, scarcely- be reckoned as raised in our county, but it has a
future with us nevertheless. With grapes the attention has been
longer directed, and a vine or two is now found near almost every
home. Our people are just learning how easily the}- can be grown,
and what a blessing they are. Strawberries are cultivated in a little
wider extent each year, and we have entered upon the cultivation
of this fruit in earnest. With raspberries, blackberries, currants
and gooseberries, the same ma}* be said, and though for a long time
past they have had a place here and there in gardens, as yet no syste-
matic culture has obtained. Plums and cherries are grown to some
extent, but that terrible scourge " black knot" dampens the ardor
and crushes the hope at present.

On the whole the outlook is hopeful. There is movement in the
right directions. There is progress and improvement.

INDEX.

PAGE.

Annual meeting 7

Address of the President 24

Apple, the, uses in family, ways of preparing, <fcc 98

Apple maggot, the 105

Apple trees, double working of 59

Apples, varieties profitable for cultivation 26, 00

desirable for cooking 102

evils of too numerous varieties 28, 5 1

hardy winter, paper by T. H. Iloskins 29

keeping qualities affected by locality ■ . 31

climate 42

manner of keeping 45

Russian, discussion on 39

report on, by Charles Gibb 41

nomenclature of 41

varieties described 43

discussion on varieties of 63

drying of by old method T3, 101

evaporation 74, 79

prices of, in foreign markets 75

from Maine shipped as Canadian 77

Apples, varieties described or discussed:

American Golden Russet 36

Baldwin 29, 66

Ben Davis 59, 112

Bourassa 38

English Russet 37

Esopus Spitzenburgh 66

Fall Quoen, or Haas 64

Golden Russet of Western New York 36, 63

Hunt Russet 36

Mcintosh Red 34

Magog Red-streak 33, 112

Mann 34

Northfield Beauty 32

Newtown Pippin 65

Poach, of Montreal 31

Peck's Pleasant 65

Rod Canada 66

113 INDEX.

Apples, varieties described or discussed: page.

Rockwood 32

Russets, generally . 34, 39, 63

Russian varieties 43

St. Lawrence 56

Scott's AVinter 33, 112

Wealthy 32, 112

Whitney Russet 38

Atherton, W. P. , remarks of 65, 77, 93

Boardman, S. L., remarks of- 77

Brett, Mr., remarks of '. 79

Brackett, George E. , remarks of 80

Bennoch, J E., paper of 54

remarks of 94

Briggs, D. J., letter of 110

Conditions affecting fruit culture 4

Climate as affecting fruit culture 42

Comstock, Prof. J. H., extracts from paper of 105

Dumont, William, paper of 69

Exhibition, tenth annual 5

Entries at annual exhibition 6, 8

winter meeting 83

Fruit, old and new methods of drying 72

Fruit crop of 1882 5, 24, 110

trees, time of planting * .... 26

method of planting 27

culture in U. S., review of 49

Forests, destruction of 25, 51

Fernald, Granville, report by 49

Ferguson, W. B., remarks of 66

Failure, what we learn by 86

Gardiner, K. H., address of 24

paper of 34

remarks of 58, 76

Gilbert, Z A., remarks of 38, 59, 62, 78, 81

Getchell, Ira E., remarks of 65

Gibb, Charles, extracts from report by 41

Grass seeds, foul 72

Hoskins, T. H., papers of 29, 36

Hersey, Mrs. A. L., paper of 98

Harlow, S. C, paper of 108

Jordan, F. C, remarks of 58, 62, 82

INDEX. 129

PAGE.

Lapbatn, William B., remarks of 80

Lang, J. W., letter of 114

Maine as a fruit growing state 50, 53

Merrill, T. M., remarks of 57, 62, 65

Morton, William E., paper of 103

Mathews, B. F , letter of Ill

Officers for 1882 7

1883, election of 69

Orchards, treatment of 87, 109

old, renovation of 88

Orchard stock, raising of 54, 59

Premiums at annual exhibition:

on apples 8

pears 14

grapes 15

plums 17

miscellaneous articles 18

on flowers 19

at winter meeting 84

Pierson, William H., remarks of 40, 65, 71

Pope, Charles S., remarks of 66, 77

Perry, E. N., paper of 72

Russets, special exhibition of 13

nomenclature of 34

committee on 66

Russian apples, report on, by Charles Gibb 41

Report of Corresponding Secretary 49

Treasurer 67

Executive Committee 68

Roots, winter storage of 70

Rose-growing, commercial 103

Season of 1882 5, 24

Strout, S. F., remarks of 58, 92

Sawyer, G. B., remarks of 61, 76

Sweetser, S. R., remarks of 65

Secretary, salary of 68

Seed growing 69

Shaw, S. W., remarks of 82

paper of 86

Sprague, H. A., letter of 112

Trees, evergreen, transplanting 27

large, method of transplanting ia France 27

120 INDEX.

PAGE.

Taylor, Joseph, obituary notice of 95

True, N. T., letter of 109

Vegetable and seed growing

69

Winter meeting at Waterville 23

Washington county, report from 112

Waldo county, report from 114

M'oodbury, D. B., letter of 113

TRANSACTIONS

OF THE

Maine State Pomological Society,

FOR THE YEAR

1883

Including the Proceedings of the Winter Meeting held at Brunswick,
January 22 and 23, 1884.

AUGUSTA :
KENNEBEC JOURNAL PRINT.

1884.

CONTENTS.

List of Officers for 1883 iv

" " 1884 V

Committees for 1884 vl

List of Members vii

Secretary's Report 1

Entries and Premiums at Annual Exhibition 4

Proceedings op Winter Meeting 17

Treasurer's Report 19

Election of Officers for 1884 21

Address of Welcome and Reply 24-27

Address of President, on Orcharding 27

Experience in Orcharding, by Rufus Prince 33

The Nursery Business, by J. J. Thomas 38

The Cultivation of Fruit, by T. S. McLellan 40

Orcharding in Franklin County, by S. R. Leland 45

Growing Apples for Profit, by D. J. Briggs 48

Fruit Growing in Piscataquis County, by H. L. Leland 52

Studies on the Codling Moth, by C. G. Atkins 54

Discussions of foregoing papers 61

Pomological Notes and Reminiscences, by Calvin Chamberlain 74

Notes on Pear Culture, by D. P. True 79

Early Grapes for the North, by H. A. Robinson 81

The Sweet Principle of Fruits and Plants, Dr. J. R. Nichols 84

Essay on Floriculture, by Mrs. A. B. Strattard 96

Railroad Gardening, by John Burr 100

Report on Exhibition at Winter Meeting 104

Obituary Notices 106

Index 110

Maine State Pomological Society.

OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1SS3.

President — Robert H. Gardiner, Gardiner.

Vice Presidents — Stillman W. Shaw, Minot,
S. C. Harlow, Bangor.

Secretary and Treasurer — George B. Sawyer, Wiscasset.

Executive Committee — The President and Secretary, ex-officiis ;
Samuel Rolfe, Portland ; Charles S. Pope, Manchester ; Henry
McLaughlin, Bangor.

Corres2'>onding Secretary — Granville Fernald, Harrison.

Trustees — Androscoggin
Aroostook
Cumberland
Franklin
Hancock
Kennebec
Knox
Lincoln
Oxford
Penobscot
Piscataquis
Sagadahoc
Somerset
Waldo
Washington
York

county, D. J. Briggs, South Turner.
Henry Tilley, Castle Hill.

" S. F. Strout, Falmouth.

" S. R. Lelaud, Farmington.

" Charles G. Atkins, Bucksport.

" W. P. Atherton, Hallowell.

" Elmas Hoffses, Warren.

" H. J. A. Simmons, Waldoboro'.

" N. T. True, Bethel.

" J. E. Bennoch, Orono.

" H. A. Robinson, Foxcroft.

" H. S. Cary, Topsham.

" James S. Hoxie, North Fairfield.

" D. L. Pitcher, Belfast.

" H. A. Sprague, Charlotte.

" John Hanscom, Saco.

Maine State Pomological Society.

OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1S84.

President — Charles S. Pope, Manchester.

Vice Presidents — S. C. Harlow, Bangor,

S. R. Sweetser, Cumberland.

Secretary and Treasurer — Geo. B. Sawyer, Wiscasset.

Executive Committee — The President and Secretar}-, ex-officiis ;
Andrew S. Sawj'er, Cape Elizabeth ; Leander H. Blossom, Turner ;
Frank E. Nowell, Fairfield.

county, N. W. Harris, Auburn.

Aroostook " E. E. Parkhurst, Maysville

Centre.

Cumberland " Francis C. Jordan, Brunswick.

Franklin " G. K. Staples, Temple.

Hancock " Charles G. Atkins, Bucksport.

Kennebec " Richard C. Plaisted, Gardiner.

Knox " Elmas Hoffses, Warren.

Lincoln " H. J. A. Simmons, Waldolwro'.

Oxford " Jairus K. Hammond, Paris.

Penobscot " J. E. Bennoch, Orono.

Piscataquis " H. A. Robinson, Foxcroft.

Sagadahoc; " Henry S. Car}', Topsham,

Somerset " James S. Hoxie, North Fairfield.

Waldo " D. B. Jackson, Freedom.

Washington " Nelson S. Allen, Dennysvillc.

York " Randall Boothby, Limerick.

Committees for the Year 1884.

ON NEW FRUITS.

W. p. ATHP:RT0N, Hallowell.
S. L. BOARDMAN, Augusta.

ON INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION AT NEW ORLEANS.

S. L. BOARDMAN, Augusta.
RUFUS PRINCE, Turner.
CHARLES S. POPE, Manchester.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Vll

MEMBERS 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

*Atherton, H. N Hallowell

Atherton, W. P Hallowell

Atkins, Charles G Bucksport

Atwood, Fred Winterport

Bennoch, JohnE Orono

Burr, John Freeport

Carter, Otis L Etna

Chase, Henry M North Yarmouth

Chase, Martin Y. B Augusta

*Clark, Eliphalet Portland

Crafts, Moses Auburn

♦Crosby, William C Bangor

Dana, Woodbury S Portland

DeRocher, Peter Waterville

Dirwanger, Joseph A. . Portland

Dunham, W. W North Paris

Dyer, Milton Cape Elizabeth

♦Emerson, Albert Bangor

Farnsworth, B. B Portland

Frost, Oscar F Monmouth

Gardiner, Robert H Gardiner

Gilbert, Z. A North Greene

fGodfrey, John E Bangor

Hanscom, John Saco

Harlow, S. C Bangor

♦Harris, N. C Auburn

Harris, N. W Auburn

Hersey, T. C Portland

Hopkins, Miss S. M Gardiner

Hoxie, James S North Fairfield

Ingalls, Henry Wiscasset

♦ Jewett, George Portland

Johnson, Isaac A Auburn

Jordan, Francis C Brunswick

Low, Elijah Bangor

Low, S. S Bangor

McLaughlin, Henry Bangor

♦Metcalf, M. J Monmouth

Moore, William G Monmouth

Moor, F. A Waterville

Morton, J. A Bethel

Morton, Will. E Allen's Corner

♦Noyes, Albert Bangor

Perley, Chas. I... Seward's (Vassalboro')

Pope, Charles S Manchester

Pulsifer, D. W Poland

tRichards, F. G Gardiner

Riehards, John T Gardiner

♦Richardson, J. M Greene

Roak, George M Auburn

Robinson, H. A Foxcroft

Rolfe, Samuel Portland

Sawyer, Andrew S Cape Elizabeth

Sawyer, George B Wiscasset

Shaw, Stillman W Minot

Simmons, H. J. A Waldoboro'

Smith, Alfred Monmouth

Smith, Henry S Monmouth

Starrett, L. F Warren

♦Stetson, Isaiah Bangor

Stilphen, Asbury C Gardiner

Stanley, Charles Winthrop

Strout, S. F West Falmouth

Strattard, Mrs. A. B Monroe

Sweetser, S. R Cumberland Centre

♦ Taylor, Joseph Belgrade

Thomas, William W. Jr Portland

Tilton, William S Chelsea

True, Davis P Leeds Centre

* Deceased.

tDeceased iSS4.

Vlll

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Life Members — Concluded.

Varney, James A Oregon ♦ Weston, James C Bangor

Vickery, James Portland Wharff, Charles S Gardiner

Vickery, John Auburn Whitney, Edward K Harrison

Wade, Patrick Portland Woodman, George W Portland

* Deceased.

ANNUAL MEMBERS— 1883.

Baker, Miss Millie Lewiston

Blossom, G. W Turner

Blossom, L. H Turner Centre

Briggs, D. J South Turner

Carey, Henry S Topsham

Carpenter, James M Pittston

Chipman, A. B West Gloucester

Dill, Seward Phillips

Emerson, Ivory W Lewiston

Goss, Charles F Lewiston

Ham, Nelson Lewiston

HoflFses, Elmas Warren

Jordan, Miss Alice M Auburn

Kenniston, E. H Simpson's Corner

Lapham, E. A Pittston

Lapham, Wm. B Augusta

Lennan, L Gardiner

Litchfield, L. K Winthrop

Mason, John B Mechanic Falls

Merrill, T. M West Gloucester

Mitchell, Israel Lewiston

Nelson, E.N Minot

Nowell, Frank E Fairfield

Osgood, A.J Cumberland Centre

Perkins, L. J Deering

Pittee, Tristram D.... Cumberland Centre

Plaisted, Richard C Gardiner

Staples, G. K Temple

Towle, J.J Dixfield

Whitcomb, C. C Simpson's Corner

Whitmore, Thomas P Bowdoinham

Young, W. H Auburn

To the Secretary of the Maine Board of Agriculture :

I submit herewith a report of the transactions of the Maine State
Pomological Society for the 3'ear 1883, containing an account of the
annual exhibition ; the more important papers presented at the winter
meeting, with an abstract of tlie discussions on the same and other
subjects ; and such other matters as are, in my judgment, required
or authorized b\' law.

I take this opportunity to repeat what has been said with respect
to the previous reports, viz : that " the Societ}- assumes no responsi-
bilit}- for the correctness of an}- theory- advanced, or of any state-
ment of fact or opinion made in the papers and discussions reported ;
but only undertakes to report the same faithfully ; omitting in the
discussions, as far as practicable, all repetitious, irrelevant and
unimportant matters."

GEO. B. SAWYER, Secretary.

Elaine State Pomological Society.

TRANSACTIONS FOR 1SS3.

The eleventh annual exhibition of the Maine State Pomological
Society was held at Lewiston, in the new building on tlie grounds of
the State Agricultural Societ\-, on the 18th, 10th, 20tli and 21st
da^-s of September, 1S83. It occupied two wings on the tliird tloor
of the main building, which were well filled. The jjreniium list was
substantiall}- the same as that of the preceding year. The amount
offered in premiums was $*J16.75 ; and the amount awarded, $057.1;").
All the classes were well represented in the entries, the aiiples,
as usual, taking the lead ; and there were a larger number of col-
lections, both of fruit and flowers, than in former years. Several
of the counties were represented for the first time, and b}' very
creditable exhibits. In the classes of grapes and flowers, the exhi-
bition was among the largest ever made b\- the Society. Pears were
well represented, and plums better than an average. All the fruit
indicated increased care in the selection of varieties, and skill in the
art of exhibiting; and the proportion of inferior specimens and of
unknown and incorrectly-named varieties was noticeably small.

Provision was made for holding the annual meeting of the Society
on September 20th, at the City Building, in Lewiston ; l)ut on ac-
count of the temporary illness of President Gardiner, whicii [)yv-
vented his attendance, and for other reasons deemed suflicient. the
meeting was adjourned to the time and place of the winter meeting
— and was accordingly held at Lemont Hall, in Brunswick, January
22 and 23, 1.SS4. The details of the annual exhibition and tiie [tro-
ceedings of the several meetings a[)i)ear in sul)se(]uent i)ages.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

SCHEDULE OF PREMIUMS OFFERED, ENTRIES MADE

AND PREMIUMS AWARDP:D AT THE ANNUAL

EXHIBITION.

[Note — The names of persons to whom premiums were awarded are given first
under each specification, with the amount awarded, in ordinary type; and afterwards,
in smaller type, the names of other competitors for the same. When the name of a
person is repeated his place of residence is omitted.]

Class 1 -APPLES.

FIRST DIVISION.

Sj^ecial Begulations. '' Entries for all premiums in this division
must consist of five specimens of each variety- exhibited and
(except Nos. 18 and 19) of at least twenty" correctly named varie-
ties. Entries for premiums Nos. 18 and 19 must be separate and
distinct collections, not embracing an}' other collection or specimens,
and in awarding the premiums regard will be had both to the quality
of the specimens and the value of the varieties exhibited.

By ' named varieties ' is meant such as are named and described
in some standard work on Pomology, or have been named and
approved by some National or State Horticultural Societ}'.

In adopting 20 as the number of varieties required in these col-
lections (1 to 17), the Society does not intend to encourage the
multiplication of varieties : and the committee will be instructed, in
awarding the premiums, to have regard to quality and value rather
than to the number of varieties, and will be authorized to recommend
gratuities for meritorious collections embracing less than the number
of varieties required as above."

Premium No 1. For the best general exhibition of apples, grown
b}' the exhibitor in any part of the State. Miss L. L. Taylor, Lake-
side (Belgrade), first premium, $15; James S. Hoxie, North
Fairfield, second pi-eminm, $10 ; Perley & Perkins, Seward's (Vas-
salboro), third premium, %f).

Under the practice adopted by the Society, of allowing all collections entered for
premium No. 1 to be also entered for the county premiums, all the collections were so
entered, and the names of the competitors will appear under their respective counties.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 5

2. For the best general exhibition of apples, grown by the
exhibitor, in Androscoggin county. N. W. Harris, Auburn, !$10;
G. ^y. Blossom, Turner, 88 ; D. J. Briggs, South Turner, 85.

Rufus Prince, Turner; Charles Richardson, Greene; A. B. Chipman, Poland; D.
P. True, Leeds Centre.

3. For the same in Aroostook county. No entry.

4. For the same in Cumberland county. S. R. Sweetser, Cum-
berland Centre, SlO ; Milton Dyer, Cape Elizabeth, 88.

T. D. Pittee, Cumberland Centre.

5. For the same in Franklin county. G. K. Staples, Temple, $10.

6. For the same in Hancock count}-. No entry.

7. For the same in Kennebec county-. "NV. R. Wharff, Gardiner,
$10; E. A. Lapham, Pittston, $8.

8. For the same in Knox county. Elmas Hoffses, "Warren, $10.

9. For the same in Lincoln county. H. J. A. Simmons, Waldo-
boro', SIO ; George B. Sawyer, Wiscasset, 88.

10. For the same in Oxford county. J. J. Towle, Dixfield, 8 10.

11. For the same in Penobscot count}-. J. E. Bennoch, Orono,
810 ; E. H. Kenniston, Dixmont, 88.

12. For the same in Piscataquis county. No entr\-.

13. For the same in Sagadahoc county. H. S. Carey, Topsham,
$10.

14. For the same in Somerset county. Frank E. Nowell, Fair-
field, 810.

15. For the same in "Waldo county. ]\Irs. A. B. Strattanl.
Monroe, 810.

16. For the same in "Washington county. No entry.

17. For the same in York county. No entry.

18. For the best five named varieties of Autumn apples. ]NIiss
L. L. Taylor, 83; E. A. Lapiiam, 82; F. E. Nowell, 81.

Simmons, True; C. C. Whitcoinb, Dixmont; Harris, Brigg::; R. H. GarJiiier,
Gardiner; Dyer, S»wectser, Iloff^es.

10. For the best five named varieties of "Winter api)ies. 11. II.
Gardiner, 83; C. C. Whitcoinb, 82; E. A. Lapham, 81.

iVliss Taylor, Simmons, True; Ivory W. Emerson, Lewiston; Harris, Briggs, Dyer.

20. For the best collection of apples for home use, for the entire
year, in tlie smallest number of varieties. S. R. Sweetser, 8.),
(Jied Astrachan, Gravenstein, Norlhern Sjiy, Rhode Islduil (/reen-

g STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

ing, Baldwin, Roxbury Russet, Tabnan's Siveet) ; H. J. A. Simmons,
$3, (Early Harvest, Gravenstein, Honey Simet, Northern Spy,
Baldwin, King of England. (?),)•

Miss Taylor — King Sweeting, Gravenstein, Baldwin, Somerset; D. P. True — Large
Yellow Bough, Winthrop Greening, Swaar, Talman's Sweet, Roxbury Russet; D. J.
Briggs, (list not found).

21. For the best collection of Crab Apples, not less than five
varieties. J. S. Hoxie, $2.

SECOND DIVISION.

"Entries for premiums in this division must consist of from five
to ten specimens, according to size, of each variety exhibited, and
must be sepai'ate specimens from any exhibited in the first division."

22. For best single variety of Autumn apples. S.W. Shaw, Minot,
(Gravenstein), $2; A. B. Chipman, Si.

Miss Taylor, NowoU; L. K. Litchfield, Winthrop; Charles A. Day, East Turner;
Simmons, Briggs, True.

23. For the best single variety of "Winter apples. R. H. Gardiner,
$2 ; H. J. A. Simmons, $1.

Miss Taylor, True, Chipman, Shaw, Day, Briggs.

24. For the best dish of Alexander. W. R. Wharff, $1 ; Miss
L. L. Taylor, 50c.

Melzer Gilbert, Turner; John Dunton, Lewiston; Day, Bennoch.

25. American Golden Russet. (Syn. Sheejmose) . Not awarded.
2G. Baldwins. S. R. Sweetser, $1 ; Miss L. L. Taylor, 50c.

Simmons, Gardiner, Perley & Perkins, Dunton, Shaw, Sawyer, Emerson, True,
Kenniston, Litchfield, Whitcomb, Day, Staples, Lapham, G. W. Blossom; L. H.
Blossom, Turner Centre; B. F.Teague, Auburn; David Farrar, Lewiston.

27. Benoni. L. K. Litchfield, ^1 ; J. E. Bennoch, 50c.

Gardiner.

28. Black Oxford. W. R. Wharff", $1 ; Perley & Perkins, 50c.

True, Hoxie, Staples.

29. Blue Pearmain. T. D, Pittee, $1 ; R. H. Gardiner, 50c.

Kenniston, Bennoch, Mrs. Strattard.

30. Briggs' Auburn. G. W. Blossom, $1.

31. Cole's Quince. T. D. Pittee, $1.

32. Danvers' Winter Sweet. John Dunton. SI ; W. R. Wharff",

50c.
Perley & Perkins, Shaw, True, Sawyer.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 7

33. Dean. A. J. Osgood, Cumberland Centre, $1 ; Miss L. L.
Taylor, oOc.

Nelson Ham, Lewlston; Towle, Staples.

34. Duchess of Oldenburgh. S. R. Sweetser, $1 ; W. H. Young,
Auburn, oOc.

Dunton, Bennoch, Hoxie, Mrs. Strattard, Kenniston, Nowell, Briggs, Staples,
Lapham.

35. Early Harvest. Mrs. A. B. vStrattard, $1 ; H. J. A. Sim-
mons, 50c.

Dunton.

36. Early Strawberry. Not awarded.

Alfred E. Mitchell, Lewiston.

37. Fall Harvey. Miss L. L. Taylor, $1 ; A. G. Thurlow,
Poland, oOc.

Emerson, Gardiner, Bennoch, Towle.

38. Fall Pippin. J. J. Towle, $1 ; H. J. A. Simmons, 50c.

Farrar, Gardiner, Lapham.

39. Fameuse. F. E. Nowell, Si ; S. W. Shaw, 50c.

Gardiner, Harris, Simmons, Pittee.

40. Franklin Sweet. Perley & Perkins, Si ; G. W. Blossom,

50c.
Sweetser.

41. Garden Royal. J. J. Towle, $1 ; J. E. Bennoch, 50c.

42. Gravenstein. Bliss L. L. Taylor, $1 ; E.N.' Nelson, Minot,

50c.

Farrar, Dunton, Gardiner, Bennoch, Staples, Lapham, G. W. Blossom, Harris,
Shaw, Sweetser.

43. Hightop Sweet. Perley & Perkins, $1 ; H. J. A. Simmons,
50c.

44. Hubbardston Nonsuch. Miss L. L. Taylor, $1 ; A. J.
Osgood, 50c.

Emerson, Lapham, G. W. Blossom, Perley & Perkins, Wharff.

45. Hunt Russet. P^lmas Hoffses, 61.
Gardiner, Staples, G. W. Blossom, Mrs. Strattard.

46. Jewett's Fine Red. W. R. Wharff, $1 ; Miss L. L. Taylor,

50c.

Whitcomb, Dunton, Sweetser; 0. F. Frost, Monmouth, presented fine specimens
too late for entry.

8 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

47. King of Tompkins County. S. R. Sweetser, $1 ; Miss L. L.
Taylor, 50c.

Sawyer, Dunton, Chipman, Bennoch, Farrar, True, Kenniston, Whitcomb, Staples,
Thurlow, Lapham, G. W. Blossom, Harris, Shaw, Nowell, Parley & Perkins.

48. King Sweeting. Miss L. L. Taylor, $1 ; Perley & Perkins,

50c.
Nowell, Hoxie.

49. Large Yellow Bough. E. A. Lapham, ^1 ; Perley & Perkins,

50c.
True, Whitcomb, Chipman, Gardiner.

50. Minister. Elmas Hoffses, $1 ; G. W. Blossom, 50c.

Lapham.

51. Moses Wood. Miss L. L. Taylor, $1 ; W. R. Wharff, 50c.

Gardiner, Perley & Perkins.

52. Mother. Ivory "W. Emerson, ^1 ; R. H. Gardiner, 50c.
G. W. Blossom.

53. Northern Spy. R. H. Gardiner, $1 ; E. A. Lapham, 50c.

Miss Taylor, L. H. Blossom, Emerson, Farrar, Chipman, Bennoch, Staples, Ham, G.
W. Blossom, Nowell, Perley & Perkins, Sweetsor.

54. Orange Sweet. G. B. Sawyer, $1 ; E. H. Keuuiston, 50c.

Simmons, Hoxie.

55. Peck's Pleasant. E. A. Lapham, $1 ; G. K. Staples, 50c.

True.

56. Pomme Royale. No entr}-.

57. Porter. W. R. Wharff, $1 ; Charles A. Day, 50c.

Miss Taylor, Litchfield, Whitcomb, Dunton, Lapham, Gardiner, Simmons, Sweetser,
Perley <fc Perkins.

58. President. L. H. Blossom, Si ; G. W. Blossom, 50c.

59. Primate. Miss L. L. Taylor, $1 ; H. J. A. Simmons, 50c.

Staples,

60. Pumpkin Sweet. Ivor}' W. Emerson, $1 ; R. H. Gardiner,
50c.

Miss Taylor, G. W. Blossom.

61. Red Astrachan. N. W. Harris. %1 ; S. R. Sweetser, 50c.

Simmons, Nowell, Gardiner, Lapham, Hoxie, Mrs. Strattard.

62. Red Canada. R. H. Gardiner, $1.

63. Red Russet. Not awarded.
S. W. Shaw.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 9

64. Rhode Island Greening. Miss L. L. Taylor, Si ; L. H.
Blossouj, oOc.

Farrar, True, Kenniston, Whitcomb. Dunton, Gardiner, Lapham, G. W. Blossom,
Harris, Perley & Perkins, Wharff; B. F. Teague, Auburn.

65. Rolfe. No entry.

66. Roxbury Russet. W. R. Wharff, $1 ; D. P. True, 50c.

Kenniston, Gardiner, Perley & Perkins, Sweetser, Miss Taylor.

67. Sops of "Wine. H. J. A. Simmons, $1 ; Miss L. L. Taylor,
50c.

Whitcomb, Gardiner, Staples.

68. Somerset. Miss L. L. Taylor, Si ; J. E. Bennoch, 50c.

69. Starkey. Perley & Perkins, Si.

70. Talman's Sweet. S. W. Shaw, Si ; J. J. Towle, 50c.

Farrar, True, Kenniston, Gardiner, Hoffses, Lapham, G. \V. Blossom, ^Jowell, Per-
ley & Perkins, Sweetser.

71. Tetofsky. G.B.Sawyer, Si.

72. Wagener. N. W. Harris, $1 ; F. E. Nowell, 50c.

Simmons, L H. Blossom, Staples, Sweetser.

73. Williams' Favorite. Miss L. L. Taylor, $1 ; .J. S. Hoxie, 50c.

Mrs. Strattard, Carey, Nowell.

74. Winthrop Greening. W. R. Wharff, $1 ; E. A. Lapham,
50c.

Miss Taylor, True, Litchfield, Gardiner, G. \V. Blossom, Nowell.

75. Yellow Bellllower. R. H. Gardiner, $1 ; E. A. Lapham,
50c.

G. W. Blossom, Dunton, Miss Taylor.

76. Crab Apples. H. J. A. Simmons, {Transcendent,) $1 ; G.
K. Staples, (do.) 50c.

True, Litchfield, Lapham, Perley & Perkins.

Sundries. Beauty of Kent, exhibited b}' Kenniston, Wliitcomb,
Ham. Maiden's Blush; Emerson, Thurlow. Ben Davis; Ken-
niston, Emerson, Dunton. Wine Apple ; Kenniston, Whitcomb.
Colvert : Teague, Dunton. Fairbanks, Jersey Sweet, Gloria Mundi,
Hubbardton Pippin, Ribston Pippin, Winter Stripe, Napoleon,
Cooking Red, Richards' Graft, by R. H. Gardiner. Walbridge ;
Lapham. Willow Twig and Rainbo ; Staples. Granite Beauty and
Honey Sweet ; Simmons, There were also several specimens with
local names and a few unknown.

JQ STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Class 2-F'EAIiS.

"Entries for premiums Nos. 77, 78 and 79, must consist of five
specimens of each variety exhibited."

77. For best general exhibition of pears. Samuel Rolfe, Port-
land, $12; D. P. True, 88; L. J. Perkins, Deering, $5; J. E.
Bennoch, $3.

Chipinan, Sawyer, Perley & Perkins.

78. For best five named varieties of Autumn Pears. D. P. True,

79. For best five named varieties of Winter Pears. No entr}-.
"Entries for premiums Nos. 80 to 109, inclusive, must consist of

five to ten specimens, according to size, of each variety exhibited."

80. For best single variety of Fall Pears. Nelson Ham, S2 ; C.
H. Bradford, Turner, $1.

D. P. True.

81. For the best single variety of Winter Pears. D. P. True, $2 ;
L. K. Litchfield. $1.

82. For the best dish of Bartlett. L. K. Litchfield, $1 ; A. G.
Thurlow, 50c.

Miss Taylor, Nelson, E. M. Leavitt, Auburn; A. C. Symmes, Auburn.

83. Bell Lucrative. S. W. Shaw, §1 ; G. B. Sawyer, 50c.

J. S. Hoxie.

84. Beurre d' Anjou. Israel Mitchell, Lewiston, $1 ; G. B.
Sawyer, 50c.

Symmes, True.

85. Beurre Bose. No entry.

86. Beurre Hardy. R. H. Gardiner, $1.

87. Beurre Superfine. D. P. True, $1 ; D. J. Briggs, 50c.

88. Beurre Clairgeau. G. B. Sawj-er, 61.

89. Beurre Diel. Ivory W. Emerson, SI ; D. J. Briggs, 50c.

Sawyer, True.

90. Buffum. E. N. Nelson, SI ; D. P. True, 50c.
Sawyer, Litchfield.

91. Clapp's Favorite. A. C. Symmes, $1 ; Rufus Prince, 50c.

W. H. Young, Gardiner, Sawyer, Briggs, Carey, Hoxie, Bennoch; A. E. Frost,
Lewiston.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. J I

92. Do3"erme Boussock, Not awarded.

03. Duchess d' Angoulenne. E. N. Nelson, $1 ; Perley &
Perkins, 50c.

True, Symmes, Bennoch.

94. Flemish Beauty. Perley & Perkins, Si ; R. H. Gardiner,
50c.

Emerson, Briggs.

95. Fulton. Not awarded.

96. Glout Morceau. D. J. Briggs, SI ; L. K. Litchfield, 50c.

97. Goodale. Miss L. L. Taylor, $1 ; Perley & Perkins, 50c.

98. Howell. E. N. Nelson, $1 ; L. K. Litchfield, 50c. ; Israel
Mitchell, f/m., 50c.

Sawyer, Gardiner, Ham.

99. Josephine de Maliues. No entry.

100. Lawrence. Miss L. L. Taylor, $1 ; D. P. True, 50c.

Sawyer, Shaw, Nelson.

101. Louise Bonne de Jersey. E. N. Nelson, $1 ; Israel Mitchell,
50c.

Emerson, Symmes, Gardiner, Briggs.

102. Maria Louise. No entry.

103. Nickerson. Miss L. L. Taylor, $1.

Gardiner, Perley & Perkins.

104. Seckel. D. J. Briggs, $1.
Alfred E. Mitchell, Lewiston.

105. Sheldon. Miss L. L. Taylor, SI ; Ivory W. Emerson, 50c.

Perley & Perkins.

106. Swan's Orange. J. E. Bennoch, $1 ; Rufus Prince, 50c.

107. Urbauiste. G. B. Sawyer, $1.

108. Vicar of Winkfield. D. P. True, $1 ; A. B. Chipman, 50c.

Perley & Perkins.

109. Winter Nelis. E. M. Leavitt, $1 ; R. H. Gardiner. 50c.

Sundries. Rufus Prince exhibited Dearborn's Seedling ; D. J.
Briggs, Columbia, Beurre Duval ; R. H. Gardiner, St, Ghislain ;
G. B. Sawyer, Kirtland, Ott's Seedling.

12

STATE POMOLOQICAL SOCIETY.

Class 3-GM?.AF»ES.

Miss Mellie Baker, $1 ;

G. B. Sawyer,

110. For best exhibition of foreign grapes, grown with fire heat.
Miss Mellie Baker, Lewiston, $10 ; John Vickerj-, Auburn, $8.

111. For best exhibition of foreign grapes, grown in cold grapery.
G. B. Sawyer, $8.

112. For best cluster Black Hamburgh.
G. B. Saw^'er, 50c.

113. White Frontignan. No entr3%

114. Grizzl}' Frontignan. No entry.

115. White Muscat. G. B. Sawyer, $1.

116. Muscat Hamburgh. G. B. Sawyer, $1.

117. White Chasselas. Miss Mellie Baker, I
50c.

118. Lady Downes. No entr3\

119. Buchland Sweet- AVater. G. B. SawA'er,

120. Trenthara Black. G. B. Sawyer, $1.

121. AYest's St. Peters. No entry.

122. White Nice. No entry.

123. Red Chasselas. Miss Mellie Baker, $1.

124. Chasselas Musque. Miss Mellie Baker, i
50c.

125. For the best collection of Native grapes (open air).
Hoxie, $Q ; Perley & Perkins, $4 ; D. P. True, $2.

126. Best single variety, (open air).
P. True, $1.

127. Best three bunches Delaware.
Sawyer, 50c.

True, Vickery, Perley & Perkins; I. T. Waterman, East Auburn.

128. Concord. W. R. Wharff', $1 ; Perley & Perkins, 50c.
True, Vickery,

129. Hartford Prolific. W. R. Wharff, $1 ; J. S. Hoxie, 50c.

True, Briggs, Sawyer, Perley & Perkins.

130. Rebecca. No entr^-.

131. Allen's Hybrid. No entry.

132. Creveling. Perley & Perkins, $1.

133. Adirondac. No entrj'.

134. Massasoit. No entry.

135. Wilder. No entry.

G. B. Sawyer,

Perley & Perkins,
W. R. AVharff, $1

J. S.

V2: D.

G. B.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 13

136. Lindley. J. S. Hoxie, 81.

137. Agawam. No entiT.

138. Merriraac. No entiy.

139. Salem. Not awarded.

140. Wordeu. Perley & Perkins, Si.

Sioidries. John Vicker}- exhibited Sweet-Water and Martha,
grown with fire heat, also two varieties unknown ; G. B. Saw3'er,
Diana, lona and Allen's Hybrid, grown in cold graper\- ; D. J.
Briggs, Clinton and Blood's Seedling.

Class 4r-PLXJMS.

141. For the best general exhibition of plums, not less than ten
varieties. No entry.

"Entries for premiums Nos. 142 to 160, inclusive, must consist
of not less than twelve specimens each."

142. For best dish of plums of a single variety. G. B. Saw^'er,
(WasJdngton), 82 ; D. P. True, 81.

143. For best dish of Green Gage. No entry.

144. Purple Gage. Nelson Ham, 81 ; G. B. Sawj'er, 50c.

145. Red Gage. No entry.

146. Yellow Gage. No entr^-.

147. Prince Imperial Gage. H. J. A. Simmons, $1.

148. Coe's Golden Drop. No entry.

149. General Hand. No entr}'.

150. Lawrence. No entry.

151. Moore's Arctic. No entr}-.

152. McLaughlin. No entr}'.

153. Peine Claude de Bavay. W. H. Young, 81.

154. Lombard. Nelson Ham, $1 ; Thomas H. Louglej-, 50c.

True, Young; Frank Burrill, Lewiston.

155. Columbia. No entr3\

156. Magnum Bonum. No entrj-.

157. Washington. G. B. Sawyer, $1 ; T. H. Longley, 50c.

158. Jefferson. No entr^*.

159. Penobscot. J. S. Hoxie, $1.

160. vSmith's Orleans. No entry.

Sundries. G. B. Sawyer exhibited Victoria; Frank Burrill,
Bradshaw ; L. K. Litchfield and Nelson Ham, varieties not named.

14 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Class 5-MISCELLANEOUS.

161. For best dish of peaches. Fogg & Goss, Lewiston, seed-
lings, $2 ; George H. Harmon, Auburn, SI.

162. For best dish of apricots. No entrj'.

163. " " nectarines. "

164. " " quinces. "

165. " peck cultivated cranberries. Seward Dill, Phillips,
$2.

166. Samples of nursery apple trees. Not awarded.

I. C. Merrill, Lewiston, exhibited trees of Pewaukee, Northern Spy, Mann, Tetof-
sky, Walbridge, Grimes' Golden and Baldwin. The trees were well grown, but the
varieties exhibited were not satisfactory to the committee.

167. Nurser}' pear trees. No entry.

168. " grape vines. D. P. True, 50c.

169. Best orange tree, in fruit. No entr^-.

170. " lemon " "

171. " fig " " "

Sundries. Mrs. B. A. Townsend, Freeport, pineapple, (/ra.,
Si ; James Vickery, Portland, oranges, gra., 81 ; Frank Burrill,
figs.

Class 6-FLO\VERS.

"In this class no article can be entered for more than one premium."

FIRST DIVISION.

171. For best display- of cut flowers, filling not less than 100
phials. Mrs. G. B. Sawyer, Wiscasset, $10 ; Mrs. Charles Stanle3-,
Winthrop, $8 ; Geo. M. Roak, Auburn, S5 ; Miss M. L. Pope,
Manchester, S3 ; Mrs. A. B. Strattard, Monroe, $2.

172. For best exhibition of roses, not less than five varieties.
W. E. Morton, & Co., Portland, $2.

173. Dahlias, not less than ten varieties. Mrs. Charles Stanley,
$2.

174. Chinese Pinks. No entry.

175. Carnations, not less than five varieties. W. E. IMorton tt
Co., $2.

176. .Japan Lilies. W. E. :Morton, $2 ; Mrs. A. B. Strattard. SI.

STATE POAIOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 25

177. Asters, not less than ten varieties. Miss M. L. Pope,
Manchester, $1 ; Geo. M. Roak, oOc.

John Burr, Freeport; Miss Ida M. Litchfield, Winthrop; Mrs. Stanley, Mrs.
Strattard.

17S. Pansies. W. E. Morton & Co., 81 ; Mrs. Charles Stanley,
50c.

Mrs. Strattard.

179. Zinnias. Mrs. Chas. Staule}', $1.

180. Phlox Drummondii. Mrs. Charles Stanley, SI ; MissM. L.
Pope, 50c.

181. Stocks. Miss M. L. Pope, 81.

182. Balsams. Mrs. Chas. Stanley, 50c.

183. Chrj'santhemums. No entry.

184. Petunias. Mrs. A. B. Strattard, $1 ; Miss IdaM. Litchfield,
50c.

185. Gladiolus. W. E. Morton & Co., B2.

186. Verbenas. Miss M. L. Pope, 82 ; John Burr, 81.

Roak, Mrs. Strattard.

SECOND DIVISIOX.

187. For best pair of parlor bouquets. Mrs. C. Stanley, $1 ; Mrs.
M. E. Thomas, Rockland, 50c.

188. Pair wall bouquets. Mrs. C. Stanley, $1 ; >Miss I. M.
Litchfield, 50c.

189. Pair hand bouquets. W. E. Morton & Co., 81 ; Mrs. C.
Stanley, 50c. ; Mrs. M. E. Thomas, 25c.

190. Floral pillow. W. E. Morton & Co., $5.

191. Floral design. Geo. M. Roak, $5 ; \V. E. :\Iorton & Co.,
83 ; Mrs. A. B. Strattard, 81 ; Mrs. C. Stanley, 81.

192. Floral wreath. W. E. Morton & Co., 82 ; Mrs. C. Stanley,
81.

193. Dinner table decoration. W. E. Morton & Co., $2.

194. Basket wild flowers. Miss Edith Leavitt, Auburn, $1.

Miss I. M. Litchfield.

195. Dried grasses. Mrs. C. Stanley, 82.

196. Everlasting flowers. Mrs. A. B. Strattard, 81 ; Mrs. A.
C. Pierce, Lewiston, 50c.

197. Dish cut flowers. W. E. Morton & Co., 82; Miss I. M.
Litchfield, 81.

I Q STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

198. Fancy bcasket of flowers, W. E. Morton & Co., $2 ; Miss
I. M. Litchfield, $1 ; Mrs. M. E. Thomas 50c.

Bouquet Asters. R. H. Gardiner, 50c.

THIRD DIVISION.

199. For best exhibition of greenhouse plants. John Burr, $8 ;
G. M. Roak, $o.

200. For best exhibition of pot plants, not less than 20 pots.
Miss Alice M. Jordan, Auburn, $'d.

"Persons exhibiting greenhouse plants, (No. 199), cannot com-
pete for premium No. 200."

201. For best exhibition of ferns. John Burr, S3 ; G. M. Roak,
$2.

202. Geraniums. John Burr, $2 ; G. M. Roak, $1.

203. Begonias. John Burr, $2 ; G. M. Roak, $1.

204. Coleus. G. M. Roak, $2 ; John Burr, $1.

205. Tuberose. R. H. Gardiner, $1 ; John Burr, 50c.

206. Dracffina. G. M. Roak, $1 ; John Burr, 50c.

207. Double Geranium. G. M. Roak, $1.

208. Single " No entry. >

209. Salvia Splendens. G. M. Roak. $1.

210. Foliage Begonia. G. M. Roak, $1.

211. Flowering " John Burr, $1 ; G. M. Roak, 50c.

212. Coleus. G. M. Roak, $1.

213. Fuchsia. John Burr, $1.

214. Carnation. G. M. Roak, fl.

215. For best single pot plant. G. M. Roak, $1.

216. Best hanging basket with plants. No entry.

217. Best climbing plant, on trellis. Miss Alice M. Jordan, $1.

218. Wardian case. No entrj'.

219. Aquarium. »'

220. Rustic stand. "

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 17

Proceedings of the AYiuter Meeting.

The ninth "Winter Meeting of the Society, (being an adjournment
of the annual meeting which was held at Lewiston, September 20,
1883), was held at Leniont Hall in Brunswick, on the 22d and
23d days of January, 1884, in connection with a Farmers' Institute
under the direction of the Secretary of the Board of Agriculture.

In point of number and interest of the members and other
persons attending, as well as in the importance of the subjects con-
sidered, the meeting compared favorabl}- with any previous "Winter
Meeting. The division of the time between the Society and the
Board of Agriculture rendered it impossible to give to all of tlie
subjects presented as much attention as some of the members thought
desirable, and prevented the reading of a portion of the papers
prepared for presentation. These circumstances led to some unfa-
vorable criticism afterv:ards : but it is easier to find fault with what
has been done than to foresee difficulties — and it is respectfully
submitted that a busy meeting, in which the time is fully occupied,
even if some matters of secondary importance are excluded, i-^
better than one at which the interest lags and members have to b<
urged to "occupy the time." There are also important ecouomica!
considerations atfecting both the Society and the individuals attending,
in favor of a joint meeting. There was no subject presented in the
programme, in either department, undeserving of the attention of
any person attending, whatever his own specialty might be. But
the subject, with respect to future meetings, is in the hands of the
members, and the Executive Committee desire nothing more earnestly
than that they will make their wishes known with respect to this and
all other questions affectiug the management of the Society's affairs,
at a proper time and in an appropriate manner.

Three sessions were held on each of the two days of the meeting,
and the following is an abstract of the record, showing how the time
was occupied :

13 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 22.

MoRNiXG Skssiox — i) A. M. Formal meeting of the Pomologieal
Society.

10 A. M. Meeting under the direction of the Board of Agricul-
ture. Lecture on "•Co-operative Butter Making," by Z. A. Gilbert,
followed b}' a discussion of the subject.

Afternoon Session — 1 .30 P. M. Meeting of Pomologieal Society.
Address of welcome by A. G. Tenney of Brunswick, and reply.

Address by the President on the general subject of orcharding.

Paper by T. S. McLellan of Brunswick, on the same subject, read
by the Secretar}".

Remarks by Z. A. Gilbert on the apple maggot.

Paper b}' C G. Atkins, entitled ''Studies on the Codling Moth,"
read by C. J. Gilman, Esq.

Remarks and resolutions offered b}' Mr. Henry S. Smith of
Monmouth, in relation to the extermination of injurious insects.

EvEXixG Session — Paper by Hon. Rufus Prince of Turner, Pres-
ident of the State Agricultural Society, entitled "M^- P^xperieuce in
Orcharding, and its Lessons."

''Railroad Gardening," by John Burr of Freeport.

"Floriculture," by Mrs. A. B. Strattard of Monroe.

Papers b}^ Mrs. M. 1). Welcome of Yarmouth, on "Ornamental
Foliage Plants," and by Albion Cobb, M. D., of Webb's Mills, on
"Botany as a Guide to the Cultivation and Improvement of Fruits
and Flowers," read by Hon. C. J. Gilman.

Remarks by Rev. S. F. Dike of Bath.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. J 9

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23.

Morning Session — 9 A. M. Business meeting of the Pomolbgi-
cal Society. The report of the Treasurer for the year 1883 was
presented, and having been examined and approved by the Executive
Committee, was accepted, and is as follows :

GEO. B. SAWYER, Treasurer,
In Accol'nt with Maine State Pomologioal Societv.

Dr.

To cash in the treasury, Januarv 1, 1883,
Am't rec'd from the State, bount}' of 1882,
" " on loans,
" " of life members.
" " " annual members,
" " of State Agricultural Societ}',
" " from interest. Permanent Fund,
" " " donations,

$99

05

50(y 00

400

00

40

00

33

00

325

00

17

20

9

50

81,423 75
Balance due Treasurer December 31, 1883, 24 81

Cr.

By am't

paid loans.

8340 00

(i

interest on loans,

14 55

(I

orders of Executive Committee,

248 01

((

John Hanscom, on contract.

90 00

<(

Secretary, salary.

100 00

(I

Premiums of 1882, balance.

234 50

((

'' winter meeting 1883,

31 '2i)

ki

" annual exhibition 1883.

, 390 25

SI. 448 :)(i

$1,418 56
Amount on deposit to credit of Permanent Fund, $344 40.

20 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Analysis of Cash Accounts.

The expenditures for the year, as will be seen, amount to $1,448 56
Of which there was paid on loans and interest, 354 55

Balance, current expenses.
Consisting of the following items :
Premiums,

Salary- of Secretary, in part,
Printing,

Expenses of winter meeting, \

not including premiums, j
" annual exhibition,

not including premiums,

Purchase of plates and utensils,
Postages and express bills,
Miscellaneous expenses,

This amount has been provided as follows :
Cash in treasury January 1, 1883,
Am't rec'd from the State,

" "' " State Agricultural Society,

" " "• memberships,

" " " interest in excess, \

of amount paid, j

" " " donations.
Increase of loans from last year.
Balance due Treasurer December 31, 1883,

Loans.

Amount due December 31, 1883,
January 1, 1883,

Increase, $60 00

Statement of the Financial Condition of the Society,
December 31, 1883.

Assets.

Amount due from the State, bounty for 1883, $500 00

Property owned by the Society, estimated, 150 00

$650 00

$1,094 01

$656 GO

100 00

90 00

21 04

98 14

72 24

23 14

33 45

$1,094 01

$99 05

500 00

325 00

73 00

2 65

9 50

60 00

24 81

81,094 01

$200 00

140 00

STATE POMOLOaiCAL SOCIETY. 21

LiahiUlies.
Am't due on loan,

" " premiums, 1883,
" " unpaid orders and bills not ren-
dered, estimated,
" " Treasurer as per his account,
" " Secretary, balance salary,
" " Permanent Fund,

(Deficienc}' of assets, $457.41).

Permanent Fund.
Cr. By fees of 76 life members, $760 00

Dr. To amount on deposit to credit of fund, 344 40

$200

00

167

00

200

00

24

81

100

00

415

60

—

$1,107

41

Balance due fund, $415 60

Respectfully submitted,

GEO. B. SAWYER, Treasurer.
Brunswick, January 22, 1884.

Voted., That the salar}' of the Secretary for the present yeax be
fixed at one hundred dollars.

The Society then, at 10 A. M., took a recess until half past eleven,
and in the intervening time a meeting was held under the direction
of the Board of Agriculture.

11^ A. M. The Fomological Society, resuming its sessions, pro-
ceeded to tlie election of officers- for the current year, with the
following result :

For President — William P. Athertou, of Hallowell.

[Mr. Atherton afterwards declined to serve and was excused] .

The Society then elected

For President — Charles S. Pope, Manchester.

Vice Presidents — S. C. Harlow, Bangor.

S. R. Sweetser, Cumberland.

Secretary and Treasurer — Geo. B. Saw3'er, Wiscasset.

Executive Committee — The President and Secretary, ex-ojficiis,
Andrew S. Sawyer, Cape Elizabeth ; Leander H. Blossom, Turner ;
Frank E. Nowell, Fairfield.

22 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Trustees — Androscoggin oountj', N. W. Harris, Auburn.

Aroostook " E. E. Parkhurst, Maj-sville

Centre.

Cumberland " Francis C. Jordan, Brunswick.

Franklin '■'■ G. K. Staples, Temple.

Hancock "• Charles G. Atkins, Bucksport.

Kennebec " Richard C. Plaisted, Gardiner.

Knox " Elmas Hoffses, Warren.

Lincoln " H. J. A. Simmons, Waldoboi'o'.

Oxford " Jairus K. Hammond, Paris.

Penobscot " J. E. Bennoch, Orono.

Piscataquis " H. A. Robinson, Foxcroft.

Sagadahoc " Henr^^ S. Carj'. Topsham,

Somerset " James S. Hoxie, North Fairfield.

Waldo " D. B. Jackson, Freedom.

Washington " Nelson S. Allen, Denn3'sville,

York " Randall Boothb}', Limerick.

The following resolution was presented by Mr. C. J. Gilman, and
was unanimously adopted, viz :

Resolved, That the Societ}- extends its thanks to the Hon. Robert
H. Gardiner for his faithful and zealous labors as its President dur-
ing the last three years ; and that upon his withdrawal from the
Presidency at this time, we tender to him our best wishes for his
health and happiness.

Afternoon Session. The report of the committee on the fruit
exhibition at the present meeting, was presented b^' Mr. Rufus
Prince, Chairman, and was accepted.

Proceeded to the discussion of the paper read hy Mr. Prince at last
evening's meeting, after which,

A paper on "Pear Culture," by D. P. True of Leeds Centre, was
read by the Secretary.

A paper on "GardeningforProfit,"by Mrs. A. L. Hersey of Oxford,
was read by Mr. Z. A. Gilbert.

The report of the Corresponding Secretar}- was read b}- the
Secretary-, and was accepted.

Voted, That the several papers prepared for this meeting, and not
read for want of time, be referred to the Secretary, with instructions
to publish such of them, and of the papers read, in the next annual
report, as the limits of the work will admit, giving preference to
those papers relating to fruit and flower culture.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 23

The Secretary reported the decease of the following named life
members of the Societj-, viz :

William C. Crosby of Bangor. Febiiary 20. 1880.

Isaiah Stetson of Bangor.

J. M. Richardson of Greene.

George Jewett of Portland. April 17, 1883.

Eliphalet Clark of Deering, June 8, 1883.

Mason J. Metcalf of Monmouth, June 23, 1883.

Albert Emerson of Bangor, December 2, 1883.

Voted, That the Secretary prepare or cause to be prepared
appropriate notices of said deceased members for publication in the
annual report.

Voted, that the Committee on Russets present their report to the
Secretary-.

On motion of Mr. Gilbert, a standing committee on new fruits
was appointed, consisting of Messrs. "NV. P. Atherton and S. L.
Boardman.

On motion of Mr. Boardman, a committee was appointed, consist-
ing of Messrs. S. L. Boardman, Rufus Prince and Charles S. Pope,
to prepare and report to the next annual meeting a plan of action for the
proper representation of this Societ}' and State at the International
Horticultural Exhibition to be held at New Orleans in Decemlior,
1884.

Voted, that the thanks of the Societ}- be extended to the Sagada-
hoc Agricultural Society for the facilities afforded for holding this
meeting ; also to the Maine Central and Knox & Lincoln Railroads
for reduction of fares, and to the several persons who have furnished
papers to be read at this meeting.

Adjourned without da}'.

Attest: GEO. B. SAWYER, *Seo7-efa?-v.

Memorandum. On the evening of the last day of the meeting
an address was delivered by Hon. B. G. Northrop, L. L. 1).. of
Connecticut, on ''Rural Life and Homes," before a joint meeting of
this Society and the Sagadahoc Agricultural Societj-.

24 ' STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

The Work of the Winter Meeting'.

ADDRESS OF AVELCOME.
By A. G. Tenney, of Brunswick.

Mr. President and Gentlemen of the State Pomological Society,
and Members of the Board of Agriculture :

It is made my pleasant duty to welcome yon to this town, one of
the oldest, being the eleventh town incorporated in the State. "We
are not an agricultural community in the proper sense of the word,
though we have fine farms in this locality, some farms that are kept
iu good condition, and some cultivators of fruit. Our soil is not
tertile ; we are exposed to atmospheric conditions which make it
almost impossible for us to (-ultivate the finest fruit. It is said that
varieties of apples which, thirty miles from here, will grow fair, and
Avell developed, will be here almost undeveloped or badly developed.
Therefore we welcome you with all the more pleasure, as you bring
us some of your fruits, as well as instruction in the methods of
culture in making one of the finest displays upon your tables. We
are glad to see you and hope it will be an incentive to ?/s to do the
best we can under the circumstances that exist.

I might say to 30U perhaps — no, I cannot quite do that, because
it is out of season and I am too good a respecter of law, — but I will
refer to John Josselyn's first visit in 1638. He wrote a work entitled
'' New England Rarities Discovered." In it he says : " The Pejep-
schut river is famous for multitudes of mighty large sturgeon.
Trouts there be in good store in every brook, ten and twentj' inches
long." Now, there are some of us here, who would be glad to know
where those brooks are to be found. The difficulty now is, to avoid
the law in catching them five inches in length.

When in Aroostook county several years ago, the varieties of
fruit were few and small, but still, what there were were in very
good condition ; but the farmers said they had been making a mis-
take ; they had been getting their trees from New York, and the
result had been that many of their trees had died, and those that
lived had borne fruit in imperfect condition. I was there again in

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 25

1878, and the irujDroveraent in fruit was perfectly surprising ; I found
apples as fine as any I have seen anywhere. I found that instead
of getting their ti'ees from New York nurseries, they were getting
them from Maine nurseries. But I have no doubt that gentlemen
here can talk about that better than I can. I am glad to greet you ;
I feel that it is highly important that these meetings should be held
and I cannot doubt that the largest possible benefit will accrue to
the State from these gatherings. I will again refer to this exhibition
of fruit as one of the finest I ever saw, and that is double cause
wh}' we should welcome 3'ou upon this occasion.

EESPONSE,
By Hon. Z. A. Gilbert.

Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen :

In consequence of the inability of the President to respond, being
much out of health as we all know — pleased as he would be to
reply to a welcome of this kind ; and as appreciative as he is of the
greeting which has been tendered to us — I consented to make the
reply.

It is certainly gratifying to our Society- to be thus assured that we
meet a welcome among the people Avith whom we assemble to-day.
Our Societv was oi'ganized some years ago from a necessit}' for
special work in the direction of fruit culture in the State. Fully
realizing as we did, that the industry was one worthy of special
encouragement in our State, the Society seemed a necessity. At
one of its earliest meetings the remark was made hy its President
that the industr}- here among us was ai)parently in its infancy,
although for many years it had received large attention from lead-
ing fruit growers in the State ; and that if we could encourage the
business through special effort, so that our meetings should largely
increase, we should find our advantages from it increased in like
measure, that we should be able to put upon the market a hundred
or a thousand barrels of apples where we were then putting one;
and we should find a quicker market and more purchasers. Some
of the members were hardly able to assent to that position, but sub-
sequent events have proved the truth of the claim then put forth.
We have since that time increased the productions of the fruit in
our State largely ; we are beginning to attract the attention of buy-
ers now, as we put a larger quantit}- of our leading late-keeping

26 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

fruits upon the market, we find that purchasers are seeking for
them, that the market is quicker, the demand is surer, and we now
full^' believe we can go on increasing it in the same ratio and that
in the future we shall find our market still improving, and there is
from present appearances no limit to the demand for our special
fruits grown here in the State of Maine.

So we have, as a Society, the encouragement and assurance that
we are at work in a good cause ; and we would assure the citizens
of this county and the gentleman who has so kindly expressed their
welcome, that the Society needs this encouragement. Working as
we have been without an}' other reward than the knowledge of
earnest work in a good cause, and unless we meet sympathy and
receive some encouragement, that work, after a time, tires. But
with such assurances and with the knowledge that there is still an
appreciation of this work, we can go on, and it is our determination
to go on and encoui-age this industry. We have also the assurance
that there is at the present time a universal interest in the fruit
industry. Those who are producers are not the only ones inter-
ested. Consumers, as well, from a different standpoint, are alike
interested, and the producer and consumer meet together and en-
courage each other, which is one of the advantages derived from a
meeting of this kind.

The fruit exhibited here was pleasant!}' referred to by the gentle-
man who gave us this welcome, and this is an inspiration to all
concerned ; it is an inspiration and encouragement to the i)rodiicer
and a tempting appetizer to the fruit consumer ; so there is a benefit
to all accruing from such an exhibition.

The membership of our Societ}' is more limited than we wish, and
we would like to have it understood that the list is open for addi-
tions ; and while we do not propose to pursue an}- special canvassing
in this direction, we would be glad to enroll still others upon the
list.

There is no particular locality which is exempt from this interest
in fruit growing. As the gentleman has referred to the more east-
erly part of the State, I will add that we find greater encourage-
ment in these border lands of the State in the direction of frnit
production than we hardly dared to hope, even the few years ago
that this Society was organized. In the County of Piscataquis are
to be found as thrifty and productive orchards as are to be found in
any section of our State. A better knowledge of the business

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 27

prevailing among those orchardists has enabled them to select
varieties to suit their localities, and they are meeting with the highest
success in that direction at the present time. With respect to
the famous Count}' of Aroostook, I must acknowledge that I
had my fears with regard to the success of the business in that
locality. But as time goes on, as they learn from experience, even
then there is verj' much more of encouragement in this direction
than existed a few years ago, and the effort of the Society to intro-
duce some of the new varieties there, adapted to the localit}', has
already manifested itself in better fruit trees and in a considerable
abundance of fruit in certain localities, giving promise that in course
of time that count}' is to supply itself with fruit. So we are able
to say that the whole State is embraced and interested in this in-
dustr}*". Thus while we meet here to-day in this central locality,
we may bear in mind that our work is not confined in its effects to
this section of the State, but that it is a wide-spread influence,
reaching to our furthermost borders.

While possibly, as the speaker has said, fruit culture has not
assumed that special importance here that it has in some localities,
still we know that there are those here interested in the business
and meeting with success, and that this locality is not an exception
in this regard. So we have much to encourage us, and for CA-er}'
word of s^'mpathy and ever}' expression of welcome which may
come from any locality, and especially here and now, we wish to
extend our thanks.

ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT, HON. ROBERT H.
GARDINER.

Gentlemen of the PomoJogkal Societij^ Ladies and Gentlemen :

It is announced in the [)rogramme that an address may be expected
this afternoon from the President. I am sorry to say that he is not
prepared to make a formal address, but instead will venture to sav
a few words upon

ORCHARDING.

There are so many admirable books with full directions for form-
ing an orchard, and giving all the requirements for success, and so
much too is constantly appearing in our ably conducted agricultural
papers, that it may seem a work of supererogation to discuss the
suV)ject here, and yet inquiries are so often made by lieginners, it
has seemed to me that a few words upon the mode of pn'|)aring an

28 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

orchard, its after-cultivation, and the gathering and marketing the
fruit, though an oft told tale, might perhaps be of use to some, if
reiterated at this our wintei- meeting.

In the first place, I would advise every one who has already' started
an orchard, to begin a nursery by sowing seeds. When an orchard
has been planted, it is a safe calculation to make, that about ten per
cent of the trees must be renewed annually for some j'ears. The
trees when small ma^^ be broken down by the wind, or accident, or
killed b}' borers. With a nursery of one's own these can be re-
placed in a more satisfactory manner than by purchase, and at a
trifling cost. The seeds should be sown in drills, and the second
year after, the trees shall be taken up and planted in rows two or
three feet apart and well manured and cultivated. The next thing
to be considered is grafting, of which there are several modes. I
have often practiced splice grafting with success, but with this mode
the bod}' of the tree, or of the branch to be grafted, should not be
much larger than the cion. For some trees, especiall}' the Bell-
flower, which is inclined to split at tlie forks, it is much better to graft
the branches, and for this, splice grafting is an admirable metiiod.

Budding is another mode, and in this I have been ver}' successful.
The time for this is in August, as soon as the buds are well formed.
The process is xevy simple, and the advantages are, that if the bud
takes you gain time, and if it fails your tree is not injured as it
would be by the failure of a graft. In budding it is best always to
use waxed strips of cloth, and after two or three weeks have elapsed
if you find the buds have taken, cut across the waxed cloth on the
side opposite to the bud, to allow the bud to swell. It is generally
recommended to cut off the wood beyond the bud, in the spring
when the bud begins to grow, but I much prefer to allow the old
wood above the bud to remain till the bud is nearly the size of the
stock, as in this way the bud, as it grows, can be tied to the stock
as to a stake, but care must be taken to cut otT all leaves that
appear on the stock above the bud. I have probably one hundred
trees in bearing that were budded. I do not speak of the usual modes
of grafting, as they are familiar to everyone. In planting out apple
trees I am satisfied that thirty feet each wa\' is the best distance.
For the first ten ^-ears, twent}- feet might do, but after twenty years,
thirty feet will prove to be the best. Great care should be taken in
planting. Dig the hole as large as the roots, and a foot deeper than
you wish to set the tree, then all around the hole undermine the

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 29

ground for a foot or more, fill up the hole a foot with good earth,
making a little mound in the centre, set your tree upon this, stretch-
ing out the roots carefully, having first taken care to trim any broken
root smoothly, and cover the roots with rich earth, shaking the tree
so that there shall be no hollow spaces, and then firm the ground
around the tree with your feet. Planted in this manner, the i-oots
strike out into the good loose earth surrounding them, and grow
rapidly.

To have a handsome orchard it is important to attend to the form
of the tree when young, taking care that no branches cross or
rub against one another, and that light and air are admitted into
the top. By early attention to this, there will be no occasion ever
to remove large branches, and the small ones can be removed at any
season of the year. If, however, it is necessarv to remove large
branches, from my experience, I should say, do not do it in the
autumn. Many recommend June as the best time for pruning. No
doubt it is a good time, but it is a busy season, and beside, one
liesitates perhaps about removing a branch which is covered with
blossoms. I decidedly' recommend March and April as the best
time for a general pruning. It is a leisure time, the trees are bare
of leaves, and you can see better what branches to cut, and an}"
wounds you make will heal in half the time of those made in
autumn. If any branch is cut larger than an incli in diameter, it is
of the greatest important to cover the wound at once with paint,
shellac or grafting wax. There is a great difference of opinion as
to the proper height from the ground to have the first branches.
Some say six feet, so as to allow a team to pass under. The objec-
tions to this are, that there is great danger of the trees being uKn-cd
out of plumb by the wind, it is more difficult to gather the fruit, and
the trunk of the tiee is exposed to the sun. On the other hand,
others would have the trees bi-anch about three feet from tlie ground.
There is convenience in picking, it is tiue, but it is ditlicult to get
under the tree to cultivate and manure it, and in case slieep or hogs
run in the orchard, you will lose a good deal of fruit. I think
therefore a medium height is best, say not less than four, noi- more
than five feet.

No one can expect to succeed with an orcliard without constant
atteution. Who would think of raising corn without cultivating and
manuring the land? And if it i)ays to do this for corn, it certainly
will for apples and pears. Nowliere on the farm does the use of

30 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY,

manure pay better than in the orchard, and I believe too that
mulching is often of the greatest benefit.

The especial enemies to the apple tree in this section are the
borer, the mouse, the tent caterpillar, the codling moth, and the
apple maggot. Every tree should be examined twice in the season
and all borers removed. The usual method recommended to guard
against mice is, after every snow storm to tread down the snow
around the tree. This is effectual, but one year there was a heavy
fall of snow in April. It being supposed that the winter was over,
no attention was paid to the trees, and I lost twenty trees girdled by
mice in one day in April. Since then I have always protected all
trees less than two inches in diameter b}' means of a piece of old
stove or tin pipe. The pipe costs nothing. Cut it into pieces large
enough to go around the tree and about ten inches high. This is
but little more trouble and is a sure protection. The simplest rem-
edy for the tent caterpillar is to examine the branches in autumn or
winter, and whenever a branch of the eggs is discovered glued on
towards the end of a small branch, cut off and destroy it. If, how-
ever, some escape detection, the moment the caterpillars are dis-
covered in the spring, destroy them. Follow this course faithfully
and the great loss of fruit and injur}' to the trees that occurred a few
years since can never happen.

The apple maggot was particular!}' destructive with me the past
season in the Talman Sweet, Red Astrachan, and Mother apples,
but did not trouble other trees. As we are presently to have a
paper from the able pen of one who has made a thorough study of
the codling moth, I will not now dwell upon it.

When one is about to commence an orchard, the first inquiry he
makes is, what varieties shall I plant? The answer must depend
very much upon the object sought. If it is merely to have an
orchard for profit^ then the answer is ver}' simple. Turn a deaf ear
to all the seductive talk of the tree agent about his wonderful new
varieties illustrated by beautiful pictures, and set onh' the old stand-
ards, the Baldwin, Rhode Island Greening, Roxbury Russet, Bellfiower
and Talman Sweet, and if you have a near market, the Red Astrachan
for ver}' early, and the Porter for autumn. But if one wishes to
raise apples for famil}- use there are several others that are desirable,
such as the Fameuse, Jewett's Fine Red, Peck's Pleasant, Wagner,
Hunt's Russet, and perhaps a few others, but there can be no greater
mistake than having too manv varieties. If one wishes to have an

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETr. 3]^

orchard which is profitable let them try which of the old standard
sorts will do best upon his ground, and then have at least 75 per
cent of his trees of this. One man will tell you that nothing is so
profitable as the Baldwin, another will say the Roxbury Russet,
another perhaps the Bellfiower. This depends upon the soil and
location, but dealers will go a long way to seek a man who has five
hundred barrels of one kind to sell, when he would not cross the street
to see a man Avho has ten barrels each of fifty different kinds. If,
however, one has the taste and time to experiment, like Mr. Atkins
and others, with the hope of producing a new and superior variet}',
he is laboring in a good cause, and should have the hearty thanks of
every member of our Society, but although his experiments may
result in good to the world, there will be no profit to himself.

The next point is the time and mode of gathering the fruit. I
ought to have said before that it is very important, if neither sheep
nor hogs run in the orchard, to gather daily all the windfalls. Most
of these are worm}', and when fallen the worms directlv leave the
apples and bur^' themselves in the ground, to be read}- for next
j^ear's operations.

As to the time of gathering — this must of course depend upon
the season. A slight frost does not injure apples on the tree, but
with the temperature below 28° they will be injured. As a rule,
about October 1st is the time to begin to gather winter apples, but
generally they will not be injured before the tenth. Various methods
are followed in gathering and storing apples. Usually the apples
when picked are emptied from the basket into a cart which, when
full, is dumped on the barn floor, and on a rainy dav or other leisure
time are sorted and put in barrels. This plan may do for Baldwins
and other firm apples, liut will never answer for Bellflowers, Porters,
or other tender-skinned varieties. The plan I follow in gathering
Bellflowers is, to have three empt}' barrels under the tree ; a little
straw is always put in the bottom of the basket, which has a hook
attached to hang it to a branch of the tree ; when the basket is full,
the apples are placed b}' hand into the barrels — those unquestionably
first quality in one barrel, those decidedh* refuse in another, and
those that are doubtful in the third, to be subsequenth^ sorted. The
barrels, when full, are put in the store-room and not headed up till
about the time for marketing them. In packing for market, a flour
barrel is generally used. Make it a point alwa3'S to wash out the
barrel with water. Merely dusting out the barrel, no matter how

32 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

thoroughly, will leave particles of flour, which will injure the ap-
pearance of the fruit. Always use water, it is no more trouble.
In packing a barrel of first quality, place the first tier of apples with
the stalks down ; after that put in the apples just as thej'^ come,
large and small, but taking care to put in none that are bruised.
By and by, when the barrels are headed up, they are turned end for
end and the bottom is marked, so that that end will be opened and
the apples, seen with all their stalks up, add much to their appear-
ance and will always command twenty-five cents more a barrel. A
ver}' important point in packing apples is to have the barrel packed
so tight that there can be no movement or rattling. To accomplish
this, use a screw, an inexpensive affair made for the purpose. With
this a barrel can be headed in half the time and there will be no
danger of the apples being bruised by transportation.

I cannot allow this opportunity to pass witliont saying a word
about strict honesty in packing. The world is beginning to learn
that fruit raised so far north as Maine will keep mucli longer than
that from the south or west of us. AYhy is it then that Maine
apples sell in Liverpool for tliree shillings (.50 cts.) less than those
from Canada? It is simply because the Canadian shippers have the
reputation of shipping apples that are honestlj' packed, whereas it
is a prevalent custom in Maine to deacon their apples, that is : put
the large ones at the top and the poor and small ones at the bottom,
or in the middle. Dealers in apples, upon receiving a new con-
signment, always examine one or more barrels, and if they discover
unfair packing, at once knock off' fifty cents or more in price from
every barrel. I have not heard of any apples being sold the past
season for more than $3.50 per barrel, and yet I received $4.00 for
all my Bellflowers from a party who felt sure he could guarantee the
entire contents of every barrel as equal in every respect to those
on the top. When this mode of packing is universally adopted,
Maine apples will command the preference in all the markets of the
world.

MY EXPERIENCE IN OECHAEDING AND ITS LESSONS.

By RuFLS Prince.

So much theor\' has been wi-itten upon all subjects pertaining to
agriculture, that when your Secretary invited me to furnish a paper for
this, I decided to give the results of my experience, and what I
consider the results of that experience. I am well aware that in a

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 33

paper with the above heading, it will be necessaiy to use tlie pro-
noun I so often that it may seem egotistical, still I trust that I ma^-
be as ready to state my failures as successes, and commencing as
I did when a mere child, with no more knowledge of fruit raising
than the average bo^' of fift^- years ago who had tastes for this vo-
cation, I must have made man}' failures. I alwajs loved to labor in
the orchard, to watch the opening buds and growing fruit.

My experience commenced with raising pears, or rather pear trees.
A neighbor of mine having an old native pear tree, I procured some
seeds and raised some twenty-five pear trees. When these trees
were old enough to transplant to the orchard, m}- boyish ideas not
being large, I thought I had an immense number, and having no
thought of making money, I gave away to my Aoung associates all
but about half a dozen, thinking that I had kept all that I should
ever want. Of the trees that I kept three are now bearing bounti-
ful crops of Clapp's Favorite, while the remainder have long since
gone to the brush pile. Of those given awa^' a few are now large,
thrifty trees, but the larger part, although nearly half a century of
age, have not yet come to bearing — the larger part being dead
and the remainder exemplifying the old adage '' He who plants
pears, plants for his heirs."

Since arriving at manhood, my mind has changed and I have pur-
chased manA' pear trees, and I believe that with proper care there is
no more reliable or profitable crop raised. The great difficulty in
raising pear trees in this State is that we do not realize that they
will not stand neglect and still produce crops, like an apple tree.
We must ever bear in mind that to raise pears successfully we must
treat them bountiful!}' with the best fertilizers.

To illustrate my point I will say that one of the trees from my
boyhood nursery had been grafted to Buffum pears, and, although it
had been large enough for many years to bear bushels of fruit yearly,
still I onl}' occtisionalh' found a specimen. I finally decided to *'kill
or cure" and Ijoxed up the trunk of the tree almost two feet in
height and made a yard some fifteen feet in diameter enclosing the
tree. Into this yard I put a litter of Poland Chinas and kept them
there some two months, and the result was that the next year I had
to prop up my tree to save it. This was eight years since, but
the tree continues to bear gocnl croi)s annually.

Profiting by this experience, and having a small pear orchard near
my house, I made a pig ^-ard of it and last season, while almost
3

34 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

everyone was lamenting the almost entire failure of the pear crop,
I was propping up m^- trees to prevent their breaking down under
their heavy load of Rostizers, Baffa:ns and Clapp's Favorites.
Hence, I think that I can safelv say that there is little danger of
over-feeding pear trees or their not giving good returns for good
feed. Pear trees with me have thus far been much less liable to
disease and have less enemies to contend with than apple trees.

About the time I sowed my pear nursery, my father, being a pro-
gressive man, went to a neighboring county and hired a man to graft
the old orchard — a feat that was then understood by but few. Like
other boys, I was much interested and watched attentively during
the few days he worked, and the morning after this man left found
me in the orchard, armed with m}" old jack-knife, newly ground,
the famil\- hand-saw, and together with the butcher-knife to split
the stumps. "With these tools I commenced to graft, and 3-ou may
rest assured that the scions thus set were attentively watched, and
when I saw them growing like those set by the wonderful man from
abroad my boyish measure was full, and from that da}' to this what
grafting has been done on the old homestead has been done in the
family. The grafts thus set were in old trees that have long since
yielded to the march of time and have been replaced b}' others.

Soon after I sowed m}' pear nurser}', in company with an older
brother, I procured some apple pomace from a neighboring cider
mill and started an apple nursery — I being at this time not more
than twelve vears of age. We succeeded in raising several hundred
nice trees which from time to time were transplanted to the orchard
to replace old trees.

After being in the orchard a year or two I found they nearh- all
toppled over and died. In this wa}' all of our hundreds of trees
soon went save less than a score which came to bearing. What the
trouble was I knew not, but have since learned that it was that ter-
rible scourge to the orchard, the borer. After arriving at manhood
and being settled upon the old homestead of my great grandfather,
where my experience in orcharding began, in the fall of 1860, I de-
cided to commence an orchard. I selected six and one-half acres
of pasture land that was inclined to the north-west, gravelly loam.
This was plowed very deep and heavily dressed with barn manure.
I was several years in setting the orchard and during this time and
several years afterwards the ground was cultivated and well manured.
Tt was finally seeded down and for several years I cut large crops

STATE POMOLOQICAL SOCIETY. 35

of hay, and my trees were thrifty ; but this coarse began to tell upon
m^- trees, and from A-ear to 3'ear they made less growth and it became
a serious question how I could manure the orchard and not starve
other portions of m}- farm.

Still I knew something mustbedone for the orchard. I finally decided
to pasture with sheep and swine, and last year, although an off
year, with the fruit crop nearly a failure in the State, this orchard
paid me fift}' dollars per acre net, besides being a good sheep pas-
ture. The trees Avere set thirty feet apart, and set both fall and
spring with equally good results.

But I will not tire you with the detail of my work in this direc-
tion, but simi)ly say that, as a result of some thirty odd years since
commencing orcharding for myself, I find myself in possession of
about twenty acres, a larger part of which was set by my own hands.
The first orchard I set, the trees were set thirt}- feet apart, but I
now set them twenty-five feet.

In starting an orchard, the first thing to be done after the selec-
tion of the site, is to decide upon the varieties to grow and in
this one can not be too careful. The first question should be : Is
the fruit good? I mean, among the best ; and if so. Is the tree
a shy bearer? and if so, j'ou can not afford to set it. Then,
is it known and appreciated in the markets? If not, although
you may think it among the best, being juicy, melting and
delicious, an abundant bearer, and there is not a call for it in
the markets, do not invest largelj' in it, as life is too short to
risk in this direction, too short to think of building up a variety
that is but little known, no matter how good it may be. Better, by
all means, cultivate those varieties like the Baldwin and Russet, for
which there is always a demand in all markets.

Before setting your trees, plow and pulverize your ground deeplv,
and then before the tree agent comes along decide upon the varieties
you will set, being sure not to have too many. Then make a
l)lan of your orchard, so that you can see at a glance where every
variety is, that when a tree dies it can be replaced with the same
variety. In this wa}' you can have each variety 1)}' itself, and you
will not only add beauty to your orchard, l)ut it will add much to
the convenience in getting the fruit. Above all things, fight shy of
new varieties. Think how many varieties have been placed upon
the market witliin the last two decades with high-sounding names,
and for which great prices were asked, but which ai'c now hardly

36 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

thought of and which no good fruit grower thinks of setting. I
say, think of these things when beset by the tree agent to give an
extra price for some new variety which he will tell you not only
bears enormous crops ever}- \'ear, but will stand the coldest winter
ever known in Greenland. He will inform you that he has per-
chance a new variety- that has never been put upon the market before
and that he only sells to a few of the best orchardists, and that the
nurserymen that he represents, knowing j-our reputation as a fruit
grower, wished him to be sure and let you have a few, they being
lX)ssibly the only ones to be sold in town. We take the bait and
purchase, only to learn when too late that the same story had been told
to scores of others in our own neighborhood. In these and various
other ways, we multipl}' varieties much to our disadvantage. We
should study the characteristics of our soil, experiment carefuU}'
with new varieties known to be choice and profitable and when we
find one adapted to our soil and location make a specialty of it.

I prefer good sized trees for setting, those from six to eight feet
in height. I am aware that the prevailing opinion is that small trees
are more likely to live than larger ones, but all should recollect that
youug trees have many enemies to contend with, consequently the
sooner you can get them out of the way of these enemies the better,
and when I mention among these enemies the borer, cattle, grass,
&c., I trust that every one that has set out an orchard and lost the
larger part of it will ask himself which of these enemies killed it?
or did all combine? Also did he not undertake to shield himself for
his neglect of these beautiful trees b}- cursing the New York apple
tree agent while the fault was his own. In the preparation of trees
for setting I would rather cut out branches entire to l)alance the
roots that have been cut off in taking up, than head in, as is recom-
mended b}- most wiiters, for the reason that the result ot heading in
is a thick top, the very thing you wish to avoid, rather as I said
trim out branches enough to make the top as small as desired.

Set your trees leaning slightly to the south, for if perchance they
get inclined in the opposite direction they are sure to be spoiled by
what is known as "■ sun scald." This is caused by the sun striking
directly upon the trunk of the tree, thereby causing the bark to die
and peal off. So sure is this to occur that I thiuk it would be hard
to find a sound tree that had had a noithern inclination for any
length of time.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 37

Do not be satisfied with growing fruit the bearing year, but feed
your trees so that they will produce crops every year. The more
one makes fruit growing a specialty the better he will succeed, for
the reason that he will stud3- more to make it a success. Tlie
orchard may be kept in a growing condition in several ways, — the
better way for each one being dependent upon his situation and
resources, and either of which will be entirely satisfactor\' if properly
done. If a person has a plenty of common farm-yard manure that
is thoroughly decomposed, we believe nothing will give better returns
than this, thoroughly incorporated into the soil with plow or culti-
vator, being always careful while at work with these tools in the
orchard.

If 30U have not a plenty of farm-j-ard dressing to spare, but have
brakes in your pastures, coarse hay or straw to spare for the orchard,
3"ou may thorouglily mulch and follow it up year after 3'ear with no
risk as to the final result. The course that I pursue and the one
that my experience teaches to be best for the average farmer is to
pasture with sheep or swine. The orchard which I spoke of in the
former part of this paper, has been used as a sheep pasture for
several years and the trees make good growth and bear as good
crops as an}' one that I know of.

The worst enemy that I have to contend with in the orchard is the
borer, and I know of but one sure preventative and that is the death
of the pest. A wash occasionally of whale oil soap suds will in
a large measure prevent his getting into the tree, still you must ever
" watch and pray" and go through your orchards occasionally with
the knife and wire and see that this terrible pest does not long re-
main in the tree. I trust that no one will be so enthusiastic as to
believe that he can be successful in raising an orchard without much
care and labor. The old adage that '* eternal vigilance is the price
of success" holds good in fruit raising, and with vigilance, with care,
and intelligent labor at all seasons nothing pays better dividends,
nothing adds more to the comfort of the family than an orchard, but
if one expects to raise fruit w-ithout labor, withmit eternal vigilance,
he is in the end doomed to disappointment. I am aware that there
is a feeling of distrust among the farmers of Maine. I am aware
that many of even our most successful farmers, long to revel in the
orange groves of Florida, the cattle plains of Texas, or the wheat
fields of Dakota. But, Mr. President, where can we find happier
homes than in our own New England, where the apple, the " King

38 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

of Fruits," can be ever at hand? What greater attraction can there
be than a New England home surrounded by a thrift}-, well selected
fruit orchard? I would not advise any person that has not a natural
taste for fruit raising to undertake it extensively, although for one
having a taste in this direction it is our most profitable crop. Still
everyone owning an acre of land in Maine should raise fruit enough
for his own famil}-. What will add more to the comfort and enjoy-
ment of our long winter evenings than the ever present dish of fruit,
raised b}^ our own hands, upon our own farms ? Who of common
capacity but can have thrifty fruit trees enough to adorn his
grounds and fruit enough of his own raising to grace his table at all
seasons of the year?

THE NURSERY BUSINESS.

A paper specially contributed for this meeting,
By John J. Thomas, of New York.

The business of raising and selling young fruit trees is in one
respect unlike other commercial business, on account of the time
required to prove them in bearing. Most kinds of goods may be
examined on the spot and their good or bad quality at once deter-
mined by inspection. ' None but men of long experience can recognize
a variety' of fruit till they have seen the ripened specimens. For this
reason more care is required by the nurseryman to secure the sorts he
propagates true to name ; and more care must be exercised by the
purchaser in procuring his young trees from trustworthy and reliable
sources.

For the same reason, there is more opportunity to conceal frauds
from the great majority- of purchasers, who do not recognize by
sight in the growth of young trees what they are. Fort}' years ago most
of the nurseries were full of errors. Sufficient care had not been taken
to obtain the genuine sorts from which to propagate, and many were
ignorantly but honestly unaware of the harm they were doing in
disseminating poor sorts. When the writer of these remarks com-
menced the nursery business, so abundant were these errors that he
adopted and never deviated from the rule of propagating nothing
lor sale which he had not proved or seen in bearing.

At the present time the l)cst nurseries and tliose whicli have an
established reputation have reached much accuracy in this resi)ect,

STATE rOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 39

and some could be named from whom the public could procure sup-
plies with almost a certaint}' without a single mistake. Specimen
orchards, thorough acquaintance with the different varieties, and an
accurate s.ystem of propagating and filling orders, have enabled
them to reach this desirable condition in their business. Care in the
selection and employment of their travelling agents has enabled
them generally to give trees correct to their names through these
agents, although it must be admitted that a more completely satis-
factory- waj- is to order directly from headquarters.

But there is another part of the business of vending trees, of a
very different character. Its success in imposing on the people at
large is owing to the ignorance of the people of fruits and fruit es-
tablishments. There are some nurseries of secondary character
which sell trees to travelling venders who have an entirelv irrespon-
sible character. They shield their frauds under the time required to
fruit the trees, together with the want of information on the part of
purchasers. Not only have the more common fruits been repre-
sented by spurious trees, but imaginary thinus, such as trees which
bear strawberries, been sold at triple prices to the ignorant. Mul-
titudes of examples might be given, of the impositions practiced all
over the country. The thousands of these impostures discourage
man\- from planting at all, moral inii)rovement is retarded, es-
tates are lessened in value, and an indirect damage is thus inflicted,
amounting all together to millions of dollars.

The question at once occurs, "What is the remedy? The answer
is. The dt'lfasion of htformation o.mong the people. Planters should
know the difference between reliable sources on the one hand and
buying trees of an unknown agent representing an unknown nurser}'
on the other. Purchasers should understand the harm they are
doing b}' patronizing these frauds, for it is this patronage which
causes the imposters to continue in the business. Some mistakenlv
urge that all tree vending should be suppressed hx law. This would
be im|)racticable, for it is essentially an honorable and usefid business
when divested of its frauds. There are no counterfeits on a worth-
less bank, and these venders live on the reputation of a good busi-
ness. Probably nine-tenths of all the nursery trees sold are dis-
posed of b}' tree agents, and the great point is to distinguish the
genuine from the counterfeits.

This discrimination is to be made, in the first place by puchasers
informing themselves of the best and most reliable nurseries; i»y

40 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

procuring their catalogues, observing their prices and selecting those
sorts which liave been long proved valuable, avoiding unknown and
high-piiced novelties ; buying only of agents who can show full cre-
dentials of recent date ; or still better, where practicable, ordering
directly from the nursery. All this will require time, inquiry, care
and labor, and possibh" years of time, but success in any business
is not to be reached without labor. Information may be varioush'
obtained — from neighbors who have studied the subject ; from peri-
odicals ; from books ; from visiting fruit gardens, and bj- gradually
and cautiously working into fruit growing.

The discouragements which many have met with b^' these frauds
have led them to assert that all nurseries are full of errors and im-
postures. There is no necessitN' for error. Nurseries may be freed
from them as well as a bank from counterfeit bills. The writer can
adduce a single case in proof now that he has long since gone out
of the business. He supplied a well known pomologist with a thou-
sand trees, of as many different sorts as he had, for home planting.
"When they all bore, the owner averred that everv one proved true to
name. They were all propagated from proved sources.

CULTIVATIOX OF FEUIT.
By T. S. McLellan, of Brunswick.

By the politeness of the officers of this Society, I have been re-
quested to prepare an article on fruit culture, to be read at this
meeting. I could hardl}- feel like declining, although I am well
aware that there are many members present who are much more
capable and better qualified for preparing such an article than m\self,
but probably ver}- few, if an^•, have had a longer experience, as I
had nn' little nursery of apple pips in one corner of my fjtther's
garden nearly- seventy years ago, and since that time have possessed
a deep interest in the cultivation of fruit. At that earl}- age I
labored under the impression that "like begets like" and carefully
saved the seeds of every nice apple, pear, &.O., which came into my
possession, and planted them in my little nursery ; but as my trees
grew and yielded fruit, I learned that with apple seeds, as with some
other things, the best were liable to produce the most worthless
fruit, and out of hundreds of trees raised from the seeds of good
fruit not one in five hundred will be worth propagating.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 41

In ni}- 3-oiitbful days it required but little labor or care to raise
apples, cherries or plums. All we had to do was to set out our
orchards and the trees took care of themselves, and yielded fruit,
such as it was. But few farmers took the trouble to graft their trees,
and those who did so procured their scions from some neighbor who
possessed a native favorite tree, plastering them up with an unsighch'
lump of claj', kept in place by some old rags tied on with rope j-arn.
At the present time the fruit of these scions would be discarded as
only fit for cider apples. The only plums raised sixty years ago
were sour damsons ; and red cherries were considered a luxury.
The propagation of good fruit has made great progress within the
last half century, although the labor of accomplishing it has vastly
increased. Three score 3'ears ago the orchardist had but few
insect enemies to contend with, and his trees yielded large crops of
fruit, with very slight care, while at the present time nothing but the
utmost vigilance will protect his trees from destructive insects.

Apples are now selling in our market for one dollar and fift}' cents
a bushel, while sixty years ago the best could be bought for twenty-
five cents a bushel, and cooking apples for twelve and a half cents,
and some of our farmers who possessed large orchards, sold their
apples at six cents a bushel, the purchasers gathering them from the
orchard ; while cider sold in our market for one dollar a barrel, the
empt}' barrel to be returned to the seller.

In 1850 and '51 I was station agent on the railroad at our depot.
At that time, every spring, thousands of apple, pear and plum trees
were brought from New York and Connecticut b}^ the cars, and set
out by our farmers. I then came to the conclusion, from the great
interest taken in orcharding, and the large number of trees brought
into the State, that in a few years the fruit of our orchards would be
a drug in the markets, and would hardly pay for the harvesting,
but such has not proved to be the fact, as apples now bring a higher
price throughout the country than ever before. Why is this so? Do
our orchards refuse to 3ield fruit as in former years?

Among the earliest enemies of our apple trees which we had to
contend with were bark lice. If these pests infest a tree badl3' they
absorb the juices which are required for its growth and the perfec-
tion of fruit, and the tree is barren of fruit or yields onl}' a few
shriveled apples. To destro}" these pests a wash of strong soap
suds must be applied about the middle of June to every part of the
tree infested. Probabl}- some who are present have noticed that

42 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

about that season of the year, the Umbs of apple trees thus infested
are covered with a substance resembhng a fine mould, of a cotton^'
appearance. The eggs of the bark lice are deposited in this sub-
stance, and can be destro3ed by being wiped off with the hand cov-
ered by a mitten. As the middle of June is the season of the
dopositing of the eggs of the aphis, at that time their shell is loose
and the alkali applied will penetrate the scale and destroy the insect
beneath. But the orchardist has a friend to assist him in the destruc-
tion of the bark lice. In the first warm daj-s in spring a small
brown bug or beetle known as the lady bug may be seen crawling
slowly among the limbs of trees infested with bark lice. These
little beetles destroy vast numbers of the bark lice. I have watched
them with a small magnifying glass. They proceed from shell to
shell, perforating the covering of the bark lice and sucking out the
contents. They are about the size of a half of a pea, with two
black spots on their wing covers. A few years since on visiting a
neighbor I found him in his orchard busil}' engaged in destroying
these little beetles, and told him he was killing his best friends.

Another vexatious pest which the orchardist has to contend with
is the apple tree borer, which can only be got rid of after they enter
the tree b3' digging them out with a small chisel or drawing them
from their hole with a blunted or hooked wire. Sometimes when
the worm cannot be reached without badly lacerating the tree I have
inserted one or two lighted matches into the hole, and found that
the fumes of the sulphur destroyed them. The borer continues its
destructive work for three years after it enters the tree. The eggs
from which the worms are hatched are deposited on the bark of the
tree very near the surface of the ground, and soon after the eggs
are hatched the minute worms ma}' be discovered in the early morn-
ing b}' a small damp spot on the bark caused by the wounding of
the bark and flowing of the sap. Before they enter the tree they
can be destroyed with slight trouble. But prevention is better than
cure, and it is far less trouble to prevent the borers from molesting
our trees than it is to dislodge them after they have once entered the
body of the tree. I have found that a covering of birch bark or old
oil-cloth fastened around the tree, will prevent the eggs from being
attached to the bark. The covering should be about a foot in width
and inserted an inch beneath the surface of the ground.

The codling moth is another destructive pest the orchardist has
to contend with, and one of the most difficult to subdue. It is

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 43

estimated that one-half of our apple crop is destTOyed everv year
by the havoc of this insect. I have sometimes wished that not an
apple might be raised in the country for one year, so that the moths
would all perish for want of sustenance. I have noticed that when
we have a good crop of apples for several years in succession, the
apples are more wormy each succeeding year. Applying a circle
of tar or printer's ink around the trunk of the tree is said to be a
partial protection, but I have not seen much benefit from this
application. A rope of straw or braided corn husks, fastened
around the tree a foot or two from the ground, will afford a place of
deposit for their eggs, and this should be often removed and dipped
in scalding water or destroyed by fire. I have sprinkled dry ashes
or air-slacked lime among the branches of the trees while the}' were
in blossom, but did not find that it was a preventative of wormy
apples.

Within a few years another destructive insect or worm has
attacked our apples, and I fear it will prove one of the most serious
our orchardists will have to contend with. Some five or six years
since, I noticed that the earliest sweet apples we received from the
south were infested with a minute worm, which had thoroughly per-
forated the fruit. Three years since, I noticed my earliest sweet
apples were similarly affected ; and last season all my sweet apples
and most of m}- pleasant tart apples, such as the Haley, Hurlbut,
Nodhead, Primate and Porter, were more or less infested with this
new enemy. These apples appear perfectly sound on the outside,
with no signs of the entrance or exit of worms through the skin of
the apple, but on cutting them open they are found worthless, being
thoroughly perforated in every direction by a ver}' minute worm.
I had supposed that this new enemy of our fruit might be confined
to this immediate vicinity, but a friend residing in the northern part
of Somerset county, informs me that the apples in that locality were
similarly affected the past season. If some of our entomologists can
discover a remedy for this new enemy of our apples, they will merit
and receive the grateful thanks of all who are engaged in the prop-
agation of this excellent fruit. [See remarks of Mr. Gilbert on this
sul)ject, hereafter. Spc.'\

Another enemy of our apple trees, which in form^^r years we had
to contend with, has nearly ceased its depredations in the orchards
in this vicinity. I refer to the tent caterpillar — although 1 often

44 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

notice their tents in the spring on the wild cherr\' trees in the forests,
the}' do but slight damage to our orchard trees.

From experience, I am decidedly of the opinion that the safest
location for an orchard, to be protected from the winter killing of
trees, is a northern exposure, or on land sloping to the north, — that
it is not so much the extreme cold weather which kills our fruit
trees, as the frequent thawing of the sap of the tree after it has
been frozen.

In the cold winter of 1857, when the thermometer went down to
40° below zero, and many of the apple trees in Maine perished or
were seriously- injured, I had a young orchard located on the north
side of a hill, where it seldom thaws in the winter, and did not lose
a tree, while nearly all the apple trees in this viciuit}', exposed to
the winter sun, perished. Even the Baldwin did not winter kill in
iB}^ orchard, and a few peach trees survived, though I have read that
a temperature of 22° below zei'o is fatal to the peach. In fact, I
have never had a tree injured bj' the cold in m}- orchard which
slopes to the north.

The secret of success in grafting, is to be careful and have the
inner bark of the stock and scion meet, and great care in waxing
the wounded parts, so as to exclude the air. Waxing the upper end
of the scion prevents its drying, which is ver}' liable to occur if a
drying northwest wind follows grafting.

In the immediate vicinity' of our A'illage there is an extensive tract
of land of a light sandy nature, which is quite unfitted for the rais-
ing of fruit, except blueberries, and we onl}' succeed in raising
apples and other fruit bj' heavil}' enriching the ground on which our
fruit trees are set. A friend who has expended much time and
mone^' in cultivating an orchard on this land was asked at our village
Farmer's Club a few 3'ears since : " What success he met with in
raising fruit on plains land." He replied that he thought "be
should meet with fair success, but it was A-er^^ difficult to harvest
much fruit from an orchard located in the vicinity of an orthodox
college, where one-half of the students were preparing for the
ministry."

STATE POMOLOQICAL SOCIETY. 45

ORCHARDING IN FRANKLIN COUNTY.
By S. R. Lkt.and, of Farmington.

That the influence of the Maine State Pomological Society- is giv-
ing a great impetus to fruit raising in all parts of our State, there
are abundant indications. In travelling over Franklin county I see
unmistakable signs of a very marked improvement in fruitgrowing in
the last ten years, not onl^- in the extra care bestowed on old orchards
but also in the large area being planted to young trees. This is
in part attributable to the enlai'ged markets, and in part to the
influence of the Pomological Society. Although there are but few
members of the Society in this count}', its transactions are read l)y
the firesides of most of the orchardists, and its wise suggestions and
recommendations are silently working a might\' influence for good.

There is no mistake but that there is a great improvement being
made in the profits of apple raising in this county. One important
step in the right direction is the planting of more native or Maine
grown trees and less of the New York and Connecticut stock. The
early orchardists in this vicinit}- most unfortunatel}- grafted much
too largely of earl}- varieties for which there is no market. And
another important step in tiie I'ight direction is the re-grafting of
trees bearing early fruit to such varieties of late-keeping apples as
have an established market notoriety.

At no time in the history of orcharding in this county has there
been so many and such flattering inducements to increased eflbrt in
the production of good varieties of apples as now, both b\- bestow-
ing better care on our trees and increasing their numbers. Tiie
pioneer orchardists of this county had comparatively no market for
their fruit. A few barrels of eating and cooking apples could be
sold in the villages, and the wives, sons and daughters dried a few,
but the larger part were made into cider or led to stock at a very
small profit. But now. how changed ! It is safe to i)redict that in
the future there will be an unsatiable market for all the good a[)ples
that can be produced.

The shipment of Maine apjiles to foreign countries is a business
evidently in its infancy, and that the foreign demand (or shipping
varieties of Maine apples will increase there is no doni)t. The diy-
ing of ajiples by the steam eva[)orating process is a new induslrv
and a growing one, and one that will call for thousands of bushels
of second quality api)les annually in this county, and it is a busi-

46 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY,

ness which we can liarrlly imagine can be overdone, as the proclncts
haA'c the whole world for a market. In addition to the above calls
for our apples, thousands of bushels arc used at our canning factories
annualh', and tliere is no good reason wh}' that business will not
continue if the apples can be procured. In view of all those facili-
ties for marketing our fruit, is there not great encouragement for
farmers to engage more extensivelv and more perseveringl}' in the
production of apples?

There is an abundance of land upon the hill-sides in this count}-
peculiarly adapted to the late-keeping varieties of apples, and par-
ticularly the Baldwins, to enable us to increase the area of orchard-
ing to almost an unlimited extent.

During our county fair, last autumn, I was in the Secretary's
office one day when a farmer of this town brought in a bushel of
Baldwins to be entered for a premium, and it was decidedly the
handsomest and best basket of Baldwins on exhibition. As the
Secretar}- handed him the tag he noticed the apples and made the
remark •' 1 suppose those grew upon trees in your garden, that are
highly cultivated ?" The answer was '' No, they grew upon trees on
a side-hill, half a mile from my garden, where the stones are so
thick you can hardly see the ground, and they receive no cultiva-
tion." Is there not a hint here worth heeding? There are hundreds
of acres of just such land in this county, too stony to cultivate
and not worth fencing for what feed it will produce as pasturing,
which, if planted to apple trees and given pi'oper care while young,
would in a few years take care of themselves and 3ield a large profit

on the investment.

Any farmer having a spot of high land sufficiently steep for nat-
ural drainage, and "chock full " of either granite or schistous rocks,
has the place to grow apples at a profit. If I were to set trees upon
such land I should set uatiA'e seedlings and graft them in the branches
when large enough, largely to Baldwins. The year they were
planted, I should mulch with coarse manure, and perhaps also the
second 3ear. Afterwards, for a few ^ears, mulch with an}- vegeta-
ble matter, and when the}' had got their roots well in among the
rocks should risk them to take care of themselves, and I have no
doubt they would do it, for there is that quality in such land that
exactly suits the apple tree, particularly the Baldwin, and the}- have
a way of appropriating it.

STATE POMOLOQICAL SOCIETY. 47

There is a great deal said and written on tlie " Northern limits of
the Baldwin," and some writers saj' the southern limits of ISIaine is
the northern limits at which it is safe to grow it, but here in the cen-
tral part of the State it is doing wonderfulh' well. I commenced
setting trees fourteen 3-ears ago, and have set some every year, and
grafted as fast as they became large enough. I have grafted to
Baldwins, Khode Island Greenings, Koxbury Russets and Talman's
Sweet, but more largely to Baldwins than any other variety, and
thus far the Baldwin has proved as hardy as any of them and more
so than the Russet.

I have no doulit that in time other varieties may be produced that
will be equal to the Baldwin for all purposes, and perhaps take the
lead as market apples, but I predict that it will be so far in the
future that I am content to acknowledge the Baldwin as the King of
apples for tlie present, and should advise Franklin county orchard-
ists to be shy of new varieties urged upon them by agents, until their
merits are well known and their reputation thoroughly established in
the market.

The raising of pears has not yet proved profitable in this county.
The trees seem to make a good growth and stand the winters as
well as the apple trees, but they fail to produce good crops of fruit.
A well loaded pear tree is rarel}- seen. There are a few small pear
orchards in the count}' and almost all the farmers and many of the
village residents have a few trees. These are nearly all trees pur-
chased of tree agents and of course grafted at the ground when
small, which may be the reason why thej- fail to produce. If we
would raise our trees from the seed and graft them, when large
enough, to such varieties as we liked, perhaps they would produce
better — an experiment I am trying, but m}' trees are not old enough
yet to report with what success. I am informed that pear trees near
the sea coast produce well and perhaps the application of salt to our
trees here might cause them to fruit better.

While I by no means recommend the cultivation of grapes as a
source of profit here, I do recommend to ever}- person who has a
spot of land large enough, to rear a few vines of the early varieties
as a source of health and enjoj'raent.

48 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

GROWING APPLES FOR PROFIT.
By D. J. Bkiggs, of Turner.

In order to produce the best results, it will be necessaiy to begin
at the foundation. Seed should be selected with care. Who would
think of producing a good crop of corn or grain from imperfect seed ?
The formation of a large tree from a minute seed is one of the most
interesting and wonderful occurrence in nature. It is important
that the fruit culturist should so understand the process as to know
what will hasten it on one hand or retard it on the other. By under-
standing these principles the necessary rules will be greatl}' simpli-
fied and directions rendered more clear and obvious.

The first movement of the seed towards forming a new plant is
germination. After the plant is formed and its growth is carried on
through the agencj' of its leaves, the process is vegetation. To
produce germination, seeds require heat, moisture and air, but not
light. As a general rule seeds germinate and grow most readily
when buried to a depth of from three to five times their diameter, in
soil of ordinary moisture. The germination of apple seeds and
some others will be hastened b}' subjecting them to freezing and
thawing, to admit air and moisture.

The great cause of failure in growing trees in the nursery is in
the preparation of the soil. Let it be remembered that the soil for
a nursery should be as good and well worked as that of a well culti-
vated kitchen garden. Young trees must be well guarded against
the depredations of cattle, as all farm stock are fond of the young
shoots of fruit trees. After the trees have been started and well
cared for in the nursery until they are of proper size for transplant-
ing, say three or four jears old. they should be earefull}- lifted and
planted in orchard rows. In taking up trees, care should be used in
preserving as many of the fibrous roots as possible.

Good soils vary in many particulars, but as a general rule one
which is dry, firm, mellow and fertile is well suited to the purpose
of growing apples. It should be deep, to allow the extention of
the roots ; quite dr}- or else well drained, to prevent injury from
stagnant water below the surface. I would prefer a gentle inclina-
tion to the westward as a site for an orchard. Before setting the
trees the soil should be well and deeph' tilled, and few soils exist in
this part of the country which would not be much benefited for all

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 49

hard}- fruits, such as the apple, b}' enriching. Nothing for general
use is equal to stable manure for the basis. The same composted
with peat, muck or turf, with a mixture of ashes and bone meal will
be found to give uniform and satisfactor}- results. After the soil is
prepared as above, stake the ground in rows forty feet apart each
way, then one in the center of ever}- square, being careful to make
the rows as straight as possible. Make an excavation where every
stake stands, in the fall, if possible, from one and one-half to two
and one-half feet deep, according to circumstances, and three or four
feet in diameter. In early spring, after the trees have been (;arefully
lifted in the nursery as recommended, set in straight lines about as
deep as when standing in the nursery, having one person to hold
the trees nearl}' upright (inclining a little to the westward, if any-
thing, and another to straighten the fibrous roots in natural position,
and at the same time filling in with fine soil, gently pressing it at
the top. It is well to fasten the trees, after the planting is com-
pleted, to stakes, for a year or two, until the roots get a good hold
of the soil. It is well, also, to make use of some kind of mulching,
to prevent the too free evaporation of moisture.

I have pointed out what I believe to be the proper course to
pursue, as far as it goes, to insure success. The old maxim is,
" "Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well." Probably
no truer words were ever uttered.

Of the thousands of trees which are ever^^ year planted out in all
parts of the country', it is safe to say that more are lost from neg-
lected after-culture than from all other causes together. Some destroy
their trees by crowding the roots into small holes cut out of a sod,
where, if the}' live, the}- have but a stunted and feeble existence,
like the half-starved cattle of a neglectful farmer ; others set them
out well, and then consider their labors ended. They use no
dressing of any kind, and sutler them to be choked with grass aud
weeds. I say again, give young trees a good mulching and keej)
the grass and weeds out after planting. In winter it excludes frost,
and in summer it prevents the evaporation of moisture and tlie
effects of drouth.

WIIKN TO MAXUllE AN ORCIIAHD.

Tlie answer must be according to circumstances. Tlie exuniina-
tion or analysis of the soil will be of little use. but the trees will tell
their own story. If the soil is so rich that they make annual .shoots
4

50 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

of two or more feet in length without an}' manuring at all, which,
however, is rarely the ease, then it will be needless to give heed in
that du-eclion. The annual growth is the best guide to treatment.

Tiiere are but few apple orchards which, after reaching a good
bearing state, throw out annual shoots more than a foot or a foot
and a half long, and man}' not half this length. The owner of apple
trees may lay it down as a rule, that when his trees do not grow
one foot, or nearh' that, annuall}', they need more manuring. By
observation he can answer all questions of this kind without diffi-
culty.

Ashes, leached or unleached, ai'e of great value to an orchard.
Autumn or early winter is a good time to manure an orchard.
Spread the manure over as much ground as the top covers, and do
not be afraid of putting on too much. A heavily bearing tree, or one
which it is desired to make productive of good fruit, must have some
food to produce it from ; and a young tree needs looking after as
much as a hill of corn, and should have in proportion to its size
about the same manuring ; and there is no crop that will pa}' better
for care and manuring than good, thrifty apple trees of the right
varieties.

PRUNING.

As to the best time of year to prune an orchard, much has been
said and written, and considerable difference of opinion and practice
prevails. According to my observation, I think that it can be most
successfully and properly done when the trees are free both from
fruit and leaves ; and all things considered, perhaps no time is
better adapted to this impoi-tant work than early spring, after the
frost is entirely out of the limbs. There is a tendency to over-prune
many times, especially those just commencing to bear fruit. There
is no practice that needs reform more than this one. There is no
quicker way of spoiling trees than by injudicious pi'uning. In
pruning fruit trees, do not make a cut till you think what it is for
and what will be the effect. When I first commenced the care of
apple trees, I thought that there must be sovie trimming done ; so I
went at it and pruned eight or ten trees that had been set about
thirty years. It was done, as I thought, in good shape. The
consequence was, two of the most thrifty ones died outright,
and they are all dead now but one. Trimming should be reduced
to a system. By beginning when the trees are young, and annually
going over the orchard, cutting out all suckers and crowded

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 5|^

branches, one will avoid the necessitj- of cutting off large limbs ia
after years, — a practice that should always be avoided if possible ;
but if there should be any such overlooked and grow to be an inch
or more in diameter, make a smooth cut and appl}' gum shellac pre-
pared in alcohol, with a brush, and when once hardened, heat or
moisture will not affect it.

GKAFTIXG.

The proper time to graft is in the spring, as soon as the season is
warm enough to put the sap in motion. The best time is when
April showers are prevalent, and it ma}' be continued until June,
but the scions had better be cut previous to this. The}* may be cut
in autumn and stored in a dry, cool cellar, with the ends in sand or
dr}' soil. For scions, cut the the thrifty wood of the last season's
growth fx'om bearing limbs. I prefer shoots near the top or center of
the head of an old and thrift}' tree. It is easy for any one to learn
to graft. Grafting is the true way of propagating almost all choice
fruits. There are many formulas for making grafting wax, which
can be readily procured.

VARIETIES.

What varieties of apples shall we cultivate? is a question of
importance. It is a well known fact that some kinds will succeed
admirably in one place and utterly fail in others. Probably the
best plan to adopt in making a selection for an orchard is to examine
carefully what sorts succeed best in the vicinity where we wish to
plant an orchard, and select a very few of the most productive and
best selling varieties. Furthermore, the farmer who neglects to
provide for himself and his family a succession of choice apples,
commencing with July and continuing until the next July, each
variety crowding upon the others with no interval of dearth,
neglects the privilege of his birthright, and no wonder that his
children desert the old farm with no feeling of regret, for it is to
them a scene of privation rather than of enjoyment. They share
the hard work and have none of the rewards which skillful industry
should bestow.

It hardly admits of discussion that habits of observation are of
practical assistance, are indeed a necessity in all the industrial pur-
suits of life ; and tlii,s is especially true of fruit growing. The fruit
grower has to deal with climate, soil, location, markets, insects and

52 STATE POMOLOQICAL SOCIETY.

other enemies ; and to be successful, he needs all the practical
knowledge possible, and he can attain it onl}' through habits of
observation. It is easier to acquire habits of carelessness, habits of
running by and overlooking facts without any investigation. Per-
haps too few of us reall}^ have fixed habits of observation. Such a
habit is worth our time, and it seems to me that fruit growing
affords better facilities for acquiring it than any other pursuit. If
we spend much of our time in the orchard, we can not help being
observant of the changes taking place day by da3' and year bv j'ear.
The insect enemies — and their name is legion, — have to be watched
and their raA'ages guarded against. Each new enem^' as it comes,
has some new way of doing its work, and must be watched, its
habits noted, and means devised to prevent its ravages.

The fruit grower has friends, also, as well as enemies, among the
insects and the feathered tribes, and it needs the closest observation
sometimes, to judge between friend and foe. There are also many
mysteries connected with the diseases of fruit trees, which intelligent,
close and long-continued observation alone can solve.

The climate and soil of a large part of our State afforc^ unequalled
facilities for the cultivation of fruit, to make it a source of income
unequalled b}' any other industrial pursuit on the farm.

FRUIT GKOWIXG IX PISCATAQUIS COUNTY.
By H. L. Leland, of Saugeiville.

The present and future outlook of fruit growing in Piscataquis
county is as a whole encouraging. Our upland soils are well
adapted to orcharding, and the climatic conditions do not essentialh'
differ from those in counties south of us.

The greatest obstacles to progress in gi'owing fi'uit come through
the lack of interest and want of intelligent and systematic effort on
the part of our farmers. In the past there has been no call for
apples outside of our local demands, hence tl^ere has l)een no induce-
ment to encourage increased culture. AVithin a few years there has
been a demand for good apples for shipment. Tliis demand is
awakening increased interest and will lead to more study, intelli-
gence and care in the selection of trees and varieties. In the early
settlements of the county, beginning in 1805, and down to 1830,
nearly every farmer planted out orchards, many of them of large

STATU POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 53

extent : these trees were grown upon the farms where planted or in
the near vicinity, and in the virgin soil grew healthy and thrifty,
coming early into bearing and producing abundant crops. Later, a
portion of these trees were grafted, but the work not being well done,
the operator usually standing upon the ground and grafting such
limbs as were within his reach, leaving the most thrifty part of the
tree unchanged, together with the selection of varieties (largely
Baldwins) not adapted to the climate, the results were not satisfac-
tory nor profitable and did much to discourage future efforts in the
gi'owing of improved fruit. As I have said, the average farmer has
given but little thought or attention to orcharding and this neglect
and ignorance has given the irrepressible and irresponsible western
tree agent a fruitful field for operation.

From experience and observation I feel safe in making the state-
ment that the trees that have been sent into this county through the
orders given to tree agents have been entirely unsuited to our con-
ditions and have pi-oven as a rule complete failures. Among those
earliest brought in I doubt if one out of fifty lived to produce fruit.
Later, orders given under the assurance of obtaining " iron clads,"
producing fruit far superior to the old well known varieties, have
lived better, but what has the farmer got for the money paid out.
paying seventv-five cents and 81.00 for each tree? A lot of crab
trees worse than useless, "Ben Davis," " Hass," "Mann," and
"Chase's Golden"; the last extolled as one of the most valuable
varieties, it being nothing better however than a seedling originat-
ing in this count3- with no rnei-it whatever to recommend it. There
may be locations where these " iron clads" are needed because more
valuable varieties can not be grown ; but decidedly we have no use
for them in Piscataquis count}', and the sooner our farmers learn the
fact the better it will be for the fruit growing interests and the pock-
ets of our people.

There have been among us frequent attempts at growing nursery
stock, and although these efforts have not generally been profitable
pecuniaril}-, yet out of these nurseries of well grown trees we have
obtained our best orchards. I think our farmers are learning this
truth. If the}' had learned it sooner it would have saved them a
good many hard earned dollars, beside all the disappointments and
delays that have come through the purchase of western trees.

To sum up, as I propose to make this paper brief, m}' experience
and observation teaches me that our reliance for successful fruit grow-

54 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

ing must come first through well grown home-grown t*'ees ; second,
the best orchards, at least of most varieties, are those planted out
as seedlings and grafted in the limbs; third, our most profitable
varieties are those well known in the market, with perhaps the ex-
ception of the Baldwin, which is not fully reliable and does not
mature so as to possess that excellence of quality that it does in
more favored localities. We are growing extensiveh' the Rolfe, a
seedling originated in Guilford, which is superior to an\'thing we
grow in its season, late fall and early winter. This variety is becom-
ing disseminated and is giving complete satisfaction.

Accompanying the paper of Mr. Leland, was an interesting letter from
Calvin Chamberlain, Esq., of Foxcroft, relating to the history of fruit
culture in the State, and especially in Piscataquis county, and forming a
valuable contribution to that department; which will appear subse-
quently.

STUDIES OX THE CODLING MOTH.
By Charles G. Atkins, of Bucksport.

In the summer of 1882, I passed the most of the time between
July and October upon my farm in Manchester and Readfield, and
was able to make some original observations on the habits of the
codling moth. They were far from complete, being in ftict but the
first steps in a series of studies which I proposed to make on this
insect, and which I do not despair of being able to carr}- out some
day, though the opportunity is for the 2)re5ent denied me. Yet,
fragmentar}^ as my notes are, I venture to present them to the
Society', with the hope that they may incite some one else to pursue
the same object in a s^'stematic way.

I am a devout believer in system in all studies, as I am a believer
in the study of all important topics. I have no faith in guess-work,
and am skeptical toward all theories deduced from observations con-
ducted by the rale of thumb. When, therefore I wish to know how
an apple worm enters an apple and how he proceeds after entering,
I consider it much better to examine a lot of wormy apples, without

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

55

and withiu, thau to sit down to m}- writing table and guess at it.
So when I set out to stud\- the codling moth I determined to use my
eyes diligeuth', record what I saw, and defer theories till I had some
basis of facts on which to form them.

To ascertain facts relating to the deposition of eggs and the career
of the worm while in the apple I took pains to examine critically
two hundred and one worm}' apples taken at sundry times from the
trees or from the ground, and note in the case of each one how
many worms had entered it, whether from the blossom end or side,
bow many still remained, to what extent the}- had mutilated the
specimen, and some other items. From the record of these obser-
vations I am able to draw some conclusions which will be presented
presently. As an example I will give the results of m}- observa-
tions on thirt3--seven wormy apples, mostly Baldwins, July 22. I
found that '6-i of them (= 1)2 per cent) had been entered bv worms
from the blossom end (calyx) only, 3 (=8 per cent) from the side
only ; 14 of them (= 38 per cent) had each one hole in the side ;
3 (= 8 per cent) had each two holes in the side, one had three
holes in the side, and the remaining I'J (= 51 per cent) were free
from an}- worm holes except those made b}' the worm entering
through the calyx; 31 of the specimens (=84 per cent) contained
each a single excavation, indicating that but a single worm had
entered each one, four of them had each two excavations and two
had three excavations each, the w-hole indicating that forty-five
worms had been at work in these thirtj'-seven apples. Tweut3'-five
worms in all were found still in the fruit, eighteen of the apples
containing one worm each, two containing two worms each, and a
single specimen containing three worms, thus it appears that twenty
worms had already crawled out of these apples or had died within,
without leaving any noticeable remains. Fifteen of the apples had
been abandoned by the worms, five of them being slightly mutilated,
seven much and three very much mutilated. In this wa\' all the
examinations were made.

Being personal!}- unacquainted with the subject of my studies in
any Init the worm stage, I took measures to obtain an introduction to
the winged form by imprisoning some well grown worms and await-
ing their transformation. In this I was quite successful, and reared
a large number of moths. I alsp dabbled some with remedies, but
am sorry that I cannot form any certain conclusions as to llieir
etlicacy.

56

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

WJum are the eggs laid? On this point I cannot be so definite as
I would like. On July 8tb, I took twenty-three apples at ramdom
from a sweet tree, cut them open and found but two worms and one
empty worm hole. Jul}- lOtli, I tried twent\- specimens from the
same tree with similar result, but on other parts of the farm found
the worms mo?'e plenty, some of them had opened holes in the side
of the apple but still remained within, and the largest 1 found that
day was half an inch long. So far as this goes it indicates that the
earliest eggs — and what I have observed of the date when the moths
begin to fly in the summer leads to the same conclusion — are not laid
before the last of June ; but this point needs further study. How
late in the season the moths continue to lay eggs I can only judge
from the fact that very small worms continued to be found up to the
last examination, September 3d. August 3d, out of twenty-nine
worms found, twelve were less than a quarter of an inch long and
five of them less than three-sixteenths of an inch, two being found
in the eye of the apple, the pulp of which they had not yet pene-
trated. August 7th, out of twenty-eight worms twelve were less
than a quarter of an inch long, and on the third of September four
out of fourteen were equally- small.

On ichat part of the apple is the egg laid? In the great majority
of cases in the calyx or the remains of the blossom. This is proved
b}- the fact that sixty-eight per cent of the wormy apples had been
entered from the calyx exclusively and a further percentage of
twenty-three and one-half had been entered from both the calyx
and the side, while but eight and one-half per cent had been entered
exclusively from the side. It appears that as the season advances
the proportion of newly hatched worms entering from the side
increases, but five per cent of the apples being in that class July 22,
while in August the percentage of such apples was, in different lots,
from eleven to twenty-two per cent.

The worm appears generall}- to complete its larval growth in the
apple where its existence begins, but seven instances being observed
where one had changed from one apple to another, and all of these
ma}' have been instances where the two apples touched each other
and the worm passed from one to the other without exposure or con-
ciousness of change.

Hoiu many worms enter a single apple? Out of 201 specimens,
9 (= 41 per cent) had been penetrated b}' three worms each, 47
(= 23^ per cent) by two worms each, and 148 (= 74 per cent) b}'

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 57

one each. In no case did a worm kuaw through into the burrow of
another.

When does the znorm leave the apple? July 22, out of 59 apples
27 had been deserted by the worms, which had doubtless completed
their growth and gone out to form their cocoons. These samples
were Baldwins and Nodheads in about equal proportions, but I re-
gret that m}' notes do not allow me to say whether they were taken
directly from the ti-ees or picked from the ground. We may say
then that the worms begin to leave the apple before Jul^' 22. On
the 29th I found cocoons already formed by worms that came from
apples gathered on the 24th.

Does the worm leave the apple before or after it falls from the tree ?
In 8 cases out of 32, August 3d, the worm had left the apples that
still hung on the tree. The same was true in 11 cases out of 38,
August 7, and so on. In order to determine how many apples that
drop contain worms at the time of dropping requires some close
observations that I have not made. As to apples that have been
accumulating on the ground, I have some notes. September 3, I
examined fifteen or twent}- such apples and found a worm in about
one out of five or six. Similar results were obtained at other dates.
The Cocoons. To aid in the study of the habits of the worm from the
time of leaving the fruit, several expedients were adopted. Apples
supposed to contain worms were placed in covered pasteboard boxes,
along with bits of paper. The full grown larvte crawled out from the
apples and formed cocoons under the paper and in the corners of the
boxes. These were examined dailv and as soon as each cocoon was
formed the date was affixed to the paper or the box alongside. These
were afterwards separated by cutting the boxes up, when each cocoon
could be placed in a box or vial by itself. Some two bushels of
wormy apples gathered the first week in August were placed in half
barrels which were covered over with many thicknesses of old news-
papers with a stout cloth outside, all securely tied down so that no
worms could crawl out. The cover was several times removed and
the worms that had crawled up and made their cocoons around the
chink or in the folds of paper were destroyed or transferred to small
boxes for further experiment.

One of the first things learned was the existence of a strong in-
stinct in the worms in the bai-rels to crawl upwaixl as soon as the}'
had left the apples. The most enticing traps were set for them,
resting on the top of the fruit, but not a worm could be induced to

58 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. '^

enter. The}^ insisted on climbing the sides of the barrel to the
highest point. If the cover was left off they would reach the ends
of the staves and then travel round and round the rim in vain en-
deavor to find something leading still higher. This may be taken
as indicating the correctness of the theor}' that the worms that fall
to the ground immediately seek to climb the trunks of the trees.
Many cocoons were found between the papers composing the covers,
but a larger number in the corner between the staves and cover and
and in the groove which receives the bai'rel-head, and not a few
worms had excavated for themselves neat cells entirel}' within the
substance of the pine staves, lining them with the soft material ob-
tained from the excavation and with the silk that they spin for the
purpose.

In the pasteboard boxes I placed man}- loose bits of paper and
fine paper cells carefully formed on the end of a penstock, hoping
that the cocoon might be formed within them and thus be readily
removed, but though a good many accepted this invitation, the ma-
jority evidentl}^ thought these loose bits too unstable and preferred
to make the box itself the basis of their hiding places, either under
a bit of paper or in the corners or on the bare sides, where they
partially burrowed in the pasteboard. In like manner, also, in the
case of paper bands around the trunks of trees, no instance was
observed of a cocoon being formed between the thicknesses of
paper, but in all cases they were beneath all the folds, next to tlie
bark, and had often burrowed slightlj^ into the bark.

In transferring the worms from one box to another and examin-
ing them they were very generally torn from the cocoons and obliged
to form new ones, which thej' readily did. Some of these were torn
out a second time and not one of these failed to make the third
cocoon, and this extra labor did not appear to exhaust them in the
least, such specimens completing their transformations equally well
with the others.

How many broods in a seaso7i ? I expected to find the worms that
went into cocoon early in August rapidly developing ; but, though
quite a number were opened during the succeeding weeks, not one
was found to have changed perceptibly. It seemed for a while an
inevitable conclusion that none of the worms would transform the
same season and that therefore we had but one brood in a season.
In September a ver}' few moths were discovered to have come out
from the August cocoons, but whether they were early enough to

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 59

give rise to a new brood of worms I liave no data to determiue, but
as the vast niajorit}' of the worms remained unchanged until spring
it appears tliat practicall}' there is but one brood. That is to say,
if, indeed, there be a second brood, it is so small in number and be-
gins life so late in the season that its operations are of little moment
to the orchardist.

Wintering over. I had three separate lots of worms. The first
consisted of those that I had been closely examining, which were
kept in a warm room in the farm-house until mid-October, when the
house was shut up for the winter, and the cocoons left there until
spring. About the first of May I carried twenty of these to Bucks-
port and kept them in a warm room until they transformed. I sup-
pose that the artificial heat to which they had been subjected would
hasten their development so much as to bring them through their
transformations before the time of apple blooming. It was therefore
a great surprise to find, May 28, that of eight of these worms that
da}' taken from their cocoons, only two had begun their transforma-
tion and reached the " pupa stage," the other six crawling about in
a livel}' way and afterwards constructing new cocoons for themselves.
It was not until June 16 that the first moth emerged from any of
the cocoons, and the remainder continued to emerge until July 15
or 20.

The second lot received the same treatment as the first except
that it was not brought into the warm room in Bucksport till June.
These were all examined June 18 b}- opening the cocoons enough to
see the condition of their inmates. Out of fifty specimens, all but
three or four had reached the pupa stage and could no longer crawl
about. They were but little disturbed and most of them trans-
formed finally in July, one of them coming out as late as Juh' 27.
Two specimens found in larva state June 18, made new cocoons and
com[)leted their transformation between the 10th and 12th of Jul\' ;
they had originally gone into cocoon between August 9 aud 12.

The worms belonging to these two lots made their original cocoons
between August 7th and 12th, and completed their transformation
between June 16th and Jul}^ 31st, notwithstanding their subjection
to artificial heat in the fall and spring. Their period of trausforraa-
tion thus averaged al)out eleven months. The most of them had
been obliged to form one or two extra cocoons, which may have
retarded their development somewhat, perhaps enough to counter-

(30 STATE POMOLOaiCAL SOCIETY.

balance the accelerating influence of the artificial heat to which the}'
were subjected. But this is surmise.

The third lot consisted of worms that emerged from the apples
enclosed the first week in August in a covered half barrel before
referred to, and allowed to lie undisturbed in their original cocoons
through the winter in a cold shed. The cover was removed June 1st.
There were found the remains of a very few dead moths that must
have completed their transformation in the fall, but of thirty worms
then torn from the cocoons every one was still an active larva with
the exception of two very small pnpse. June 18th, the rest of these
cocoons were examined and found to contain active larva?. The
first of these emerged in moth form July loth, and the last observed
was as late as August Gth.

Until some specimen can be carried through their entire transfor-
mation without being compelled to build new cocoons or exposed to
any unnatural conditions it will be impossible to state accurately the
natural duration of the cocoon stage, but I feel warranted in sa^'iug
that it lasts in the great majority of cases from August to at least
the last of the following June. In all, I succeeded in bringing out
about fifty perfect codling moths, the first, with two exceptions, that
I had ever seen, and the first that I had ever recognized. It is a
neat little gravish moth with bright copper}' spots on its wings, by
which it will generally be recognized.

Remedies. As before intimated, I have mereh' dabbled in this
part of the subject. I have had all the worm}- apples picked up
several times in a season and either sent out of the neighborhood or
buried, finding the latter method of disposing of them too laborious,
and as to the former, not reaping much satisfaction from the reflec-
tion that I had got rid of the pest at some risk to the man who took
them to feed his pigs. In 1882, all the wormy apples that could be
found were picked from the trees twice during August ; and I am
inclined to try that again, though it did not free me from the pest,
and I have not the data to tell whether it had any appi-eeiable effect.
In 1882, and again in 1883, paper bandages were applied to all the
bearing trees and many moths thus trapped. I shall surely continue
this. Until better informed, I shall not take pains to apply the
bandages before July 15, unless to avoid a pressure of business
during haying time ; may possibly examine them about August 10
or 15, to catch any early worms that might form a second brood,
and shall be in no hurry to look at them again till some convenient

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Ql

date after the close of the apple harvest. Old newspapers are good.
They should fit the trunk snug, and the more of them on a tree the
more effective, I presume. Pasturing with sheep I have not tried,
but doubt its efficiency, unless the trees be banded also, because so
many of the worms leave the apples before they fall. Catching the
moths in jars of sweetened water I have tried, and taken many other
kinds but never a codling moth. Those people who think they have
captured it in this way are without doubt mistaken ; they have
taken some other kind. Spraying with poisoned water I have not
tried, but if really as effective as is claimed, I see no reason why it
should not supersede all the other methods. The date when it
should be applied is an important point, which needs some study.
I should not suppose it would be worth while to apph' it immediately
after blossoming time, for there is good reason to believe that no
eggs are laid until three or four weeks later. As the moths continue
to lay eggs until the last of the summer, it would appear that one
application would not be sufficient.

But I find that I am running into theory on insufficient data of
fact, and will bring this paper to a close with an earnest entreat\- to
the members of the societv to take up the subject and experiment
without ceasing until we discover some mode of controlling this
most serious of our orchard pests.

DISCUSSIOX OF THE FOREGOING PAPERS.

INSECTS.

Mr. Gilbert, being called upon, said with I'espect to the aj>ple
magrjot, alluded to in the paper of ]Mr. McLellan :

I would like to give some comfort on this subject, but I know of
nothing comforting in the situation. It is comparatively a new
enem_v, and yet apparently a serious one. The maggot is exceed-
ingly small, very seldom to be seen l)y the naked eye. except I)y the
most careful examination ; working secretly, out of sight under the
skin of the apple, through the pulp, and entirely unfitting it for any
use whatever. It was first discovered in the central or jNIiddle
States, and has gradually si)read until it is now found all over the
country. At a recent meeting of the Connecticut State Board of
Agriculture, a member of the Board, jNIr. P. Mayne, stated that the
apples of that section, especially the sweet apples of early autumn,

Q2 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

were heing vei'}' seriously injured from its effects. It also appears
to a limited extent in the winter sweet fruits, and now appears in
some cases in the richer of the tart fruits, like the Benoni and some
others. Whether they will multipl}' and extend through all kinds
of fruit no one knows ; neither has there been a remedy suggested.
Some of our scientific investigators are studying its habits, and jk)S-
sibly in time there may be some method devised by which its ravages
may be prevented. It is not a verj- comforting fact that the lalx)rs
of man are to be defeated and set at naught by an infinitesimal
insect, almost out of the reach of the human e\'e ; that with all our
knowledge and our power we are at the mercy, to a great extent, of
man}- of these little enemies. It is not a high compliment to our
wisdom, but such is the fact. There is one other point in this paper
which I wish to refer to, and that is the old subject, — the borer.

The idea of brimstone, as connected with the borer, is new to me.
It is another application and suggestion of the efficacy of that
material where serious sin exists ; and certainly the sinful work of
this borer is a thing that deserves brimstone or sonve other effectual
application. Trees are often badly lacerated in the destruction of
the borer. I have learned that after the borer has been allowed
to work its way for two years in a tree, having entered to a
considerable depth, its destruction requires deep cutting and
causes serious injur}^ to the tree. The borer at that stage,
let alone, will work less injury than you will in your efforts
to destro}- it with the mallet and chisel. When I find the
borer has gone be^'ond the reach of my jack-knife, I let him
alone. Sometimes I can reach them with a wire. The in-
jury has been accomplished then and he is simply working up
through the wood to the proper height where he is to emerge
next spring. The damage comes largely from his working near
the surface of the wood ; between that and the bark, or in the
bark, thus cutting off the suppl}' of sap. He cuts off no supph- of
sap when working on the interior of the tree and you will work more
destruction with the mallet and chisel than he will. With respect to
the application of bands for protection ; I have not secured protec-
tion in that way. I have found it was an invitation, in fact, for the
deposit of the eggs. The insect depositing eggs, seeks and likes
a slight shelter, hence j'ou find more of the eggs deposited where
there is grass and weeds growing around the tree. A band is just
the protection and shelter that they seek for, and if nothing else

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. (33

shelters the ti'ee they will, if there is a chance, secrete themselves
partial!}- behind or under this band and there deposit their eggs ;
and the onl}- time I ever found the borer at work up in the stalk of
the tree, above the ground, for anj' distance, was where I have
wrapped matting around the tree. I have invariably found borers
up through the stalk of the tree, secreted behind this band. It is
an invitation to the insect ; it furnishes the shelter which it seeks.

Mr. Gardiner. In the few words which I read in the beginning
upon protecting trees against mice in winter, with pieces of pipe, I
ought to have added, that. I found one year that when I had left the
pieces of pipe around the tree all summer, I almost invariably found
borers under that tin pipe. Since that I go after the snow is gone
and pull them off and lay them at the foot of the tree until the next
autumu, because I find a tendancy to borers where the pipe remains
on all summer.

Mr. Athertox. The damage which the borer does in the first
two years of its existence is principalh' on the outer and inner bark.
If he enters the heart of the tree, or as he ascends previous to his
emergence from the tree, I would advise in all cases, never to let
him alone. It has been an invariable rule with me, when I fail
to reach the borer with m}- knife, to reach and destroy them with a
wire. I alwa^'s carr}' two or three pieces, so if I break one I can
have another. I never fail to reach the borer. I can generally, l)y
running the wire up, catch it in its bod}' and bring it down ; but if
it is from eight to ten inches, or six inches even, it is too far to bring
it down ; but you will have indications at the end of the wire that
you have killed it. I never fail to reach and destroy them. I do it
whether the tree is large or small. When the borer ascends he
makes a round hole in the heart of the tree. If there is more than
one, they will make several of these holes. If the tree is small,
they weaken it ; therefore my advice is, not to let him alone ; pur-
sue him to his destruction, it can be done with a flexible wire.

L. H. Blossom, of Turner, recommended the application of the
fumes of brimstone, forced into the cavity made by the borer, by
means of a bellows, and described an apparatus to be affixed to the
bellows for that purpose. He said he had used it successfully. He
would never leave a borer alive in a tree, but thought too much
cutting injurious. Had seen trees very much injured by excessive
cutting.

54 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Mr. Gardiner alluded to the absolute practice of boring a hole
in the trunk of the tree and filling it with sulphur as a means of
preventing the ravages of insects. He had tried it years ago and
found it useless.

Mr. Lapham, of Pittston, concurred in the opinion last expressed,
and said he had found the knife and wire to be the onl}' reliable
means for destroying the borer.

Mr. Hammond recommended pasturing sheep in the orchard, and
said that in five years since adopting that practice he had very little
trouble from borers or insects of any kind.

Mr. Pope, of Manchester, and Mr. Briggs, of Turner, speaking
from their own experience in pasturing with sheep for many years,
found no diminution in the number of borers from that practice.

C. J. Oilman, of Brunswick. The matter of pruning of fruit
trees seems to have been overlooked in this discussion thus far. If
there is any fault in the orchards in the State of Maine, I think it is
in the abundance, or super-abundance of wood in the tree. A
gentleman who is now present has a splendid orchard in this town,
and although it is in proximity to that institution which m}- friend
McLellan alluded to, I hope it will survive the ordeal. I have been
constantly' saying to him, as the result of my observation and prac-
tice, that now is the time for him to begin to trim his orchard. An
apple tree, or the fruit upon it, requires the sun, as much as corn,
wheat or potatoes, for proper development, in order to arrive at the
best results. On examination, one-half of the Baldwin apples that
we find in our markets in New England are simply shaded ; it is of
a green color; it has not had the sun, and the fruit does not com-
mand the highest price in the market ; the quality is inferior. There-
fore I say that this subject of the trimming of our orchards is im-
portant. The process should commence a 3'ear or two after the tree
is set out to save large gashes in cutting out limbs in the after life
of the tree. I have been told that my process was severe, that I
was taking out too much wood. I cut some limbs two or three or
four inches in diameter and the result has been that while it was a
severe operation to the orchard, tiie fruit has gi-eatly improved.
Then again, I have still further to suggest that where an orchard is
taken in season and treated in this manner, the fruit is larger and
more perfect, and is more easily harvested.

With respect to another point suggested by the President in his
very interesting paper, as to the mode of packing fruit. Now I

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. g5

take it that most of oar fruit growers have reached that ; there are
gentlemen in this house who need no instruction as to the mode of
packing fruit, but the process that has obtained among the best
orchardists that I know of in New England, is, in the first place to
pick the fruit from the tree by the human hand, and then put the
stem downward in the bottom of the l)arrel, in other words, " face
the barrel" as fruit packers term it, then to fill the barrel about half
full, then give it a gentle shaking, not enough to injure the fruit,
then fell the barrel and let the apples come a little distance, say half
an inch, above where the head of the barrel fits into the staves,
then put the head over the fruit and press it down into its proper
position. To be sure this process will slightl}* jam the fruit next to
the head, but a barrel thus packed will bear to be carried to New
York or Liverpool, and this is the only safe and reliable way to pre-
vent apples from becoming bruised when in transit.

I will only saj' to the 3'ouuger portion of this audience, and in
this State, who are about to enter upon the practice of orcharding,
m}' advice to j^ou is, begin with the pruning knife early, and do not be
afraid of the use of it, but open up the centre of the tree to the sun,
in order to have good fruit.

Mr. Atherton, referring to the paper of Mr. Atkins, on the cod-
ling moth, said : The paper just read is a most interesting one to
me, and I hope m}* enthusiastic friend will continue these investiga-
tions until he shall arrive at something more definite with regard to
the time when the codling moth ]a3-s its eggs, so that if anj- remedy
can be applied at that time, it may be done. I have understood
that sprinkling apple trees with Paris Green has proved ver}' suc-
cessful, but I don't remember as it was stated at what time it was
applied, whether in autumn or when the apples were small. It is a
well known fact that in the southern and middle states, they fre-
quently have two broods of the apple worms, while in this latitude
we seldom have but one. It was my observation last season, (it
was an unusual year for us), that we had two broods. I took some
apples from a tree in November and found a number of ver}' small
worms, half an inch in length, and I was convinced that we had two
broods of them. Another thing also convinced me of this ; while
examining my trees for the apple tree borer, in June, I carried a
small sharp trowel to scrape the trunks of the trees and scraped out
a great many of the apple worms, some of them very small. Find-
ing them in June and November led me to believe that we might

QQ STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

have had last year, not only an unusual number of apple worms,
but two broods of them. I think this is sometimes, but not usually
the case. I think the worm seeks to ascend after it leaves the apple,
which confirms what has been said in the paper, that the worm after
coming out, climbs up. But while I would not take the ground that
the worm never enters the ground, I will say that while scraping my
trees I have found large numbers of them under the loose bark. It
occurs to me that we might take advantage of this in the spring and
destro}' man}^ of them. A great many will get through the winter
and form cocoons under the bark. Would it not be a good idea in
the month of April to scrape the trees and apply water? I am
determined to try it, I believe it will be a good thing to do.

Mr. Simpson, of Brunswick, recommended sprinkling the trees
with ashes, while wet, after a shower, to destro}' bark lice.

Mr. Henry S. Smith, of Monmouth, spoke at some length, urg-
ing co-operation among farmers and orchardists for the extermination
of injurious insects ; and presented the following resolutions, the
adoption of which, at this time, he thought might be premature,
but he hoped their presentation would serve to draw the attention of
the public to the importance of the subject, and might result in some
concerted and effective action :

Resolved, That in view of the damage done b}' insects to man}-
of our crops, and especially to fruit, it is the duty of the Legisla-
ture to adopt and enforce measures to encourage the extermination
of such insects.

Resolved, That the President and Secretaries of this Society be
a committee to petition the Legislature at its next regular session to
adopt such measures.

Resolved, That said committee be and are hereb}' instructed to
invite the Board of Agriculture to join them in this work.

On motion of Mr. Gilman,

Voted, That the resolutions presented by Mr. Smith be referred
to the President and Secretaries of the Pomological Societ}', and
also to the officers of the Board of Agriculture, and if in their judg-
ment they deem it proper to call the attention of the Legislature to
the subject matter of the resolutions, that thej- be authorized to
do so.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. gy

DISTANCE FOR PLANTING.

Mr. Briggs inquired of Mr. Prince whether in setting his six-acre
orchard, he set the trees in rows both wa3-s, and wh}' he set pear
trees in the squares between the rows.

Mr. Prince. I did it simply because I thought the trees were
not near enough together ; I wanted more, and hence I set the pear
trees ; my apple trees being originall}' thirty feet apart. I have set
pear trees between a part, and between the rest I have set apple
trees. Where there were four trees, I put one in the centre between
them — not opposite. I leave ever^' fourth row in order to have a
place to drive between.

Mr. Gardiner. I once had a Bellflower tree which spread over
a space of forty feet. What would become of such a tree as that
in an orchard where the trees are but twenty- feet apart?

Mr. Prince. Where you find one tree that spreads fort\- feet you
will find forty that do not spread twenty feet.

Mrs. Strattard. We have an orchard of about three hundred
trees, now beginning to bear, which are set thirty feet apart each
wa}-, and to-da}" they are getting so they interlace or touch each
other ; it is hard to get through with a team. There is a drain from
throe to five feet in depth under each row, and you will hardly find
a thriftier orchard in that vicinit}-. They are growing on what was
once a frog pond.

O. C. Nelson, of New Gloucester. I will say that from my ex-
perience in orcharding I have been in favor of the practice of setting"
close, sa}' twenty feet apart, for various reasons. I have been suc-
cessful with the Nodhead. I have grafted trees that grew up nat-
urally, without removing them, and have obtained strong trees.

Question. Do j'ou manure them?

Ansioer. I put something about them every vear ; some years I
have mulched with straw or hay, sometimes with barn-yard manure,
very light ; sometimes mulched them with sand ; a little something
every \ear.

Mr. Atiierton. How old are those trees that you have set twenty
feet apart? .

Mr. Nelson. Those trees were set in 1848. The3' didn't make
much growth. At that time the ground was used as a vegetable
garden. I commenced to take care of them and they commenced
to bear. The^' have borne heavily until within four or five years.

g3 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

I thought swamp muck was excellent for mulching trees, and I put
in four ox-cart loads between each four in the square. The result
was. I did not get good Baldwins for three jears. The apples
wouldn't stay on the tree ; the}' were rough. I had to plow it and
put in pigs. Finally I put on a dressing of leached ashes, and now
the}' Ijear. To be sure my trees interlace, but the}' are growing
taller and no limbs die. I thought if I could obtain in twenty years,
with trees twenty feet apart, the same profit from a tree that the
trees forty feet apart would give in fort}^ years, I had better take
the close setting. These trees being close, the wind does not affect
them.

Mr. Gardiner. In Gardiner there is a small orchard of very
fine trees, set from fifteen to eighteen feet apart. The result is, that
the outside trees bear large crops and the inner ones no apples at
all. They are all interlaced and cannot get light and air, and do
not bear. I asked the proprietor why he didn't cut down every
other tree. Ha said they were so fine he couldn't make up his mind
to do it.

THE SIZE OF BARRELS FOR APPLES.

Mr. GiLMAX. I would like to inquire of Mr. Pope or Mr. Ather-
ton, in respect to the size of the barrels in which apples are packed
for shipment in Michigan and Western New York. How do they
compare with ordinary flour barrels ?

IMr. Pope. I am informed that the regular apple barrel of New
York holds two and one-half bushels of the fruit, and that in Mich-
igan and New York the fruit is put in new barrels made on purpose,
costing about thirty-five cents each.

Mr. GioiAN. It is an important question, when we consider the
magnitude of the crop of apples in this State as it is destined to be
in the future, What should be the size of our barrels? If we go
into the market with a peck more of apples in a barrel than they do
in Michigan and New York, we are put at a disadvantage.

Mr. GiLMAN, referring to the paper of Mr. Prince, inquired with
respect to the

STORAGE OF FRUIT.

Did I understand Mr. Prince to say that he put apples in bulk
and allowed them to lay in bulk from the time of harvesting until

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. QC)

the middle of February ? If so, in wliat condition do the}- come
out?

Mr. Prince. I would say that formerly, as I stated in my }iaper,
I kept my apples upon shelves, but I found that they were liable to
wither in that way. The cellar I have now for a fruit cellar is used
for that purpose only. It has a cemented floor and the walls are
of split stone laid in cement. I put the apples in bulk, sometimes
with boards at the bottom and sometimes directh' upon the cement
floor. I think I have had full as good success laying them upon the
floor, piling them, I don't care how deep, three or four feet. They
keep better than in barrels or upon shelves, or any other way that I
have tried. I am careful to have no leaves with them, for a leaf is
as bad as a rotten apple. I never disturb them until I want to mar-
ket them, even if there are rotten apples. In 1879 I was away ; I
had four hundred bushels of Baldwins all in one pile, which was from
three to five feet in height, coming up to the cellar windows. The}-
laid there until the 10th of March. When I sold them and packed
them there were less than two bushels decayed. As I said, I would
never keep them in a dry cellar. The cellar of the house I live in
is dr}', being warmed Ity a furnace, and I find apples don't keep at
all in it. I would have a cellar damp, but not wet, not wet enough
so the moisture would stand upon the apples ; but moist, and I don't
care how cool if it does not freeze. If apples are frozen a little,
some think, it don't hurt them, — I don't think the}- are as good
as before, although they may look as well.

Mr. Gardiner. The late Nathan Foster, of Gardiner, was re-
markably successful in raising and caring for apples. He often
said that he made it a point that his children should have an apple
to eat every day in the year. He would keep them until the new
crop came in. Once on a cold day in December, the thermometer
being below zero, I went to his cellar and found his cellar windows
open. He said he wanted to keep the temperature below 32° the
whole time, and that the apples would not freeze until it went Itelow
28°.

Mr. Atiiertox. I would ask Mr. Prince how. if his cellar is too
dry, be obtains the requisite dampness or moisture? And before I
sit down I want to say a word with regard to temperature. I have
recently learned something that I didn't know before, and that is
that you can run the temperature down to twenty-eight or thirty
degrees with safety ; my opinion having previously been that it was

70 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

unsafe. I recently visited one of the foremost farmers of Winthrop,
and had the pleasure of going into his fruit cellar in company- with
two other gentlemen. He showed us his bin of Baldwins, which
were in bulk. Tlie cellar had a cemented floor and appeared to be
c]vy. The apples were in a bin some four feet wide and from ten to
twelve feet long. I should judge their depth to be from four to six
feet. He had a thermometer lying upon the apples. I never saw
handsomer Baldwins ; it was a rich treat to look upon them, the}'
were so large and of such a bright, beautiful color. They^ were
well assorted and read}' for the market, but he was not ready to sell
them. He said he kept the temperature down to 28 or 30 degrees,
and he said : "I am not afraid if it runs down to 28." I also learned
that it is better to keep Baldwins in bulk than in barrels or upon
shelves. My practice has been to put No. 2 Baldwins on shelves
some distance from the bottom. Baldwins will keep better on shelves
than in barrels. I shall never barrel Baldwins in the fall again ;
shall put them in bulk. Rhode Island Greenings will not bear
barrelling ; they should be kept in an open bm in the cellar.

Mr. Prince. You ask how I can make a cellar moist. I would
sa}', I don't intend to have it so. My fruit cellar is more than half
above the ground, but in a moderatel}' moist soil. I believe that
any cellar with a cement floor and the walls laid in cement will be
moist enough to keep fruit. I think a cellar with a wall of conamon
round stone and laid up open would be dryer than one with both
wall and floor laid in cement. I think where both the walls and floor
are laid in cement it would be moist enough.

Mr. Gakdineu. I do not see how it is possible to keep the yellow
Bcllflowers in bulk ; they are so tender that in picking the}' will
show the marks of the fingers upon them, and if carried and dumped
on a barn floor and left in bulk, 99 per cent of them would be
bruised. Therefore I cannot see any other way to handle them
except to pick them from the tree and put them into barrels by hand,
assorting them at the same time. They will keep until April if
not bruised. If they are bruised they will not keep.

Mr Prince. I think, if you sort your apples as you pick them,
and let them lay until spring, you will find a good many of your
No. 1 apples No. 2s, and your No. 2s will be No. 3. When I
gather my apples I put all that are sound together and let them lay
until I want to sell them ; then I sort them. It saves one sorting.
I never allow my apples to be overhauled until they are ready for

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 7I

the market. I never sort except to pick out the decaj-ed ones.
There is no need of dumping them in a pile in bulk. I pick my
apples b}' hand in small baskets. I have several years lined my
cart body with blankets so the}- will not bruise in emptying them
into the cart. I take them to my cellar and put them in b}' hand,
and let them be until it is time to sell them.

Mr. Nelson. With regard to wet cellars. One of our apple
buyers has told me that the best apples he gets are from wet cellars.
I had occasion, a year or two ago, to visit a farmer in Androscoggin
count}' who is celebrated for keeping apples. I found his cellar was
floored over, and 400 bushels of Baldwins in a bin. I looked through
the cracks of the floor and saw water underneath. He said he kept
water there ; and if the natural flow of the water stopped, he pumped
water in, but did not allow it to become stagnant. He is noted for
putting his Baldwins on the market in June in as good condition as
mine are in December.

WESTERX TREES.

Considerable discussion took place in respect to the merits and
value of western trees, as compared with those grown in this State ;
but without eliciting an3'thing of importance in addition to the points
previously settled by the Society — some of which are, that it is
vastly more important to inquire how a tree is grown, taken up, set
out and cared for, than where it is grown ; that good trees and poor
ones are grown both in and out of the State ; " that Maine can and
ought to grow her own apple trees ; " that all the good trees grown
in Maine find a read\' sale ; that vast quantities of trees are still
brought into the State from abroad; etc., etc. A question was
raised in regard to the most profitable

VARIETIES FOR MARIvET.

Mr. Child, of , said : I think no person can tell what

variety he can do best with until he tries them. I raise n)ore
Baldwins than any other kind, and still I believe I can raise more
No. 1 Hubbardstons than of any other variet}'. I have a few Black
Oxfords. They grow small with me ; but a neighbor who has an
orchard not more than 50 rods from mine, on what people would call
the same soil, raises the best Black Oxfords I ever saw. What the

72 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

reasoQ is I don't know. He sa3'S he can sell these black apples as
well as anN- others.

Mr. Pope called for statements in regard to

THE WAGENER APPLE.

Mr. Atherton. I know but little about it ; I have only three
trees ; the}' have been set seven or eight years. The}' com-
menced to bear four years after setting. It is an early and free
bearer, but slow grower ; the limbs are inclined to run upward. I
mean they are inclined to be prolific bearers while young. I was
well pleased with my first crop from these trees, and thought highl}-
of the apple. With my second crop I was not as well pleased, be-
cause the}' mildewed badly in the cellar, and almost entirely ruined
the sale of them. Since that time I have had none to speak of; I
have had no fiirther experience in that way. I have had this year,
some of fair size and good color. With regard to the flavor of the
fruit, I should pronounce it superior to the Baldwin, a l>etter eating
apple, finer grain, but the skin is tender and requires more delicate
handling than the Baldwin.

Question. How is it as a keeper?

Mr. Atherton. It will keep as well as the Baldwin ; it can be
kept in good condition until March or April.

Mr. Pope. I have never raised the fruit and am not acquainted
with it ; but as the agents are pushing it through our section, and
the farmers buy largely, I took pains at our exhibition last autumn,
to inquire of all who had raised it, and have referred to several
parties who have the fruit, and with one exception, and hardly that,
they have all pronounced the apple worthless for a market A'ariety.
It comes into bearing early, bears heavily and very good fruit, but
it over-bears ; it is crowded so that only a portion of the fruit is
large enough for market, and in a very few years the trees are ex-
hausted, and never attain a large size. They all agree upon that.

Mr. SwEETSER. I have two trees of the Wagener, and as INIr.
Pope and Mr. Atherton both stated, they bear early and over-bear.
I have picked half of them standing on the ground. I think ten
feet is far enough apart to set them, if Baldwins are 30 feet, because
they never will live to be old trees ; they over-bear so they never
will have large tops. I think it is a superior fruit, nice, and fine-
grained, but not a profitable variety to plant largely.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 73

Ml". Gilbert. Why do we want to plant the apple at all ? What
of the fact that they recommend the character of the fruit? I have
watched this fruit from its first introduction into the State — the
characteristics of the tree and its habit of growth. It is an early
and most persistent bearer. Now what is the result when you find
those two qualities in combination? That it is almost impossiljle to
grow up a good, well-formed and fairly good sized tree which will pro-
duce a large quantity of apples. You will usually- see such trees of
small size, and finally they bear their life out in the fruit. And
further than that, the}' are naturally' small ; their habit of over-
bearing renders it impossible to bring them to a large size. If ^'ou
feed the tree and make it grow larger, or tr^' to, you simply employ
the means without effect. They are small ; you find them generally
quite small — below the medium size. The qualit}' of the fruit is
good ; the color is good and the fruit is good, and selected speci-
mens of fair size make a good show on plates at the fairs. It is
a good apple for the table ; but I would ask seriously. When you
can raise so man}' other varieties of uniformly good size and market
qualities, wh}' do you want to encourage the introduction of this,
unless it is the best?

Mr. JoKDAN. Almost every one wants to get some fruit as quickU'
as possible. I should take those trees and let them bear ; if they
do well it is a good thing — and then let them die.

Mr. Merrill. I have seen two rows of the Wagener in a large
orchard. Any good, practical, intelligent orchardist, seeing them,
would sa}' that the variet}' was entirely worthless as compared with
the Baldwin, or almost an}- other late-keeping variety. I think, as
a rule, we had better discard it. If any one has a small place, it is
a good garden variety ; it will not occupy a great deal of space.

Mr. Atiierton. I don't like to put my foot down on ever}' new
variety. If anything comes out worthy of particular attention, I
like to encourage it ; and if I could sa}' an encouraging word for the
Wagener I would do so ; but I cannot say much. I only spoke
very highly of its fiavor ; I was strongly tempted once to order 50
trees in addition to what I had, but thought I would test it further,
and I am glad that I did so. My three trees are all I want of it.

74 STATE POMOLOQICAL SOCIETY,

COMMITTEE ON NEW FRUITS.

Mr. Gilbert. There is one matter which I wish to present
to the attention of the Societ}'. The Society is aware that we have
frequently- presented to our notice, new varieties of fruit ; the}' are
offered for sale to purchasers of trees, and generally high prices are
charged, with recommendations in proportion to the price asked ;
and on the supposition of their superiorit}-, many of our fruit
growers have bought largel}- and found themselves encumbered with
trees of little value. It has occurred to me that it might be well for
the Societ}- to keep a watch of these things, with a view of making
itself a medium for the communication of reliable information with
regard to them, so that purchasers might have some reliable source
of information. I would move that a committee be appointed and
charged with the duties of looking after the matter of new fruits,
seeking for information and availing themselves of all sources within
their reach to obtain that information, and to report, at the next
annual meeting, the results of their researches. I am certain that
we are to have an avalanche of new varieties pressed into notice
within the near future. Our present dut}' is to forelay by securing
such information as we can with regard to them.

The motion of Mr. Gilbert was adopted, and Messrs. S. L.
Boardman and W. P. Atherton were appointed as said committee.

POMOLOQICAL NOTES AND REMINISCENCES.
By Calvin Chamberlain, of Foxcroft, in a Letter to H. L. Leland.

"We here [Piscataquis county] occupy- a middle-ground between
the southern portion of Maine and the most of New England on
one side, and that of the extreme north of Vermont, New Hamp-
shire, Aroostook county and the contiguous Province of New
Brunswick on the other. On the one side, our friends glorify the
Baldwin and the Russets, and class the luscious Nodhead and Hub-
bardston Nonsuch as autumn and early winter fruits ; on the other
and colder side, they talk of Iron-Clads, and are laying the whole
Northern Hemisphere under contribution for a moderate list to make
home life tolerable in that region. With us, the Baldwin at its
best, on our hills, is a fair cooking apple ; in the valle3-s it has no
place. The Nodhead and Hubbardston Nonsuch, as representatives

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 75

of their class of keepers, abide with us in good cellars through the
winter. But 1 have before put lu^-self on record ou this point.

The vallej- of the Piscataquis, having been first settled by emi-
grants from the oldei- settlements of New England, they natnrall}'
took their first grafting from the fruits that suited their taste in
childhood ; and their first-grown apples were a rich solace to years
of privation and suppressed homesickness. An old uncle of mine,
who moved from Massachusetts to the wilderness east of the Penob-
scot earlv in this centur}-, once said to me : "When we raised our
first apples, and one of them came as my share on a winter evening
before the great open fire, I would pare it prudentl}' and eat it slowly.
The paring, core, seeds and stem la}- before me. The seeds were
carefully saved to be planted in spring. Then to prolong the taste
of that apple, I ate the parings, then the core followed — and lastl}'
I chewed the stem."

My father, the late Samuel Chamberlain, planted a small nursery
on the land he first cleared in the present town of Foxcroft, and
when this was suflScientl}' grown he grafted some of the trees with
scions from his native place, Charlton, Mass. This grafting must
have been done from the year 1810 to 1814, as the fruit appeared
ver}- soon after the last date. I hoed over that little nurser\' of
about four square rods many times before the last of the trees were
removed.

As a boy I heard very little said about names of apples. In after
years I learned that this beginning included two greenings, four
sweet apples, one early sour, one large red winter apple, and the
since well-known Hubbardston Nonsuch. One of the greenings is
that known as Limbertwig. The other, a smaller apple, called by
us the Cluster Greening, from its habit of giving several apples to
each set of blossoms. It was a nice winter fruit, but was not con-
tinued beyond the first few grafted trees. The sweet were one early
autumn, called the Hightop (not the well-known Hightop of the
present), a juicy, very sweet apple, of the size and form of the
Porter; one a little later in season, called Spurr Sweet by some;
one the Pound Sweet ; and the fourth, the Talman. The large red
was larger — when we could get a good one from a young, thrifty
tree — than the King or Rolfe or any other apple I ever saw in Maine.
Trees with ordinary career under neglect, gave only green, worthless
fruit, little colored. It was condemned alter a trial of twenty years
as not adapted to the climate. Of the Hubbardston Nonsuch I have

76 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

something to say further on. The early sour was a nice apple, but
the single tree standing too near the hog-pen died suddenly after a
few years of good service, and the variety' was lost. I have not
met that apple since, and rarely find one so good.

I have reasons for thinking this grafting of m}- father's was the
first done within the present limits of this county, as in after j^ears
I was called to do grafting in most of the towns, and on the farms
commenced near the same time, and then learned that no grafted
fruits had ever grown on them. In the twenty years following this
first successful grafting, my father occasiouall}' extended his work
and added a few varieties ; but in the whole his bearing, grafted
trees scarceh' counted beyond a hundred, while his orchards had
grown to a thousand. In these years a few other men had entered
this field of progress, prominent among whom, was Capt. Salmon
Holmes, from Oxford county, who made one of the best farms and
one of the largest grafted orchards in Foxcroft.

My father's work ended in his death bj- accident in 1838. I then
returned from Michigan where I had been two years cutting out a
home in the big timber, and entered upon the care of the orchards
I had helped to plant, and where I continued for the next thirteen
3'ears. From this time I took a hand with the workers and did some
real labor for a few 3'ears in the cause of fruit culture ; and I hope
to be pardoned for the use I must make of the pronoun I in referring
to some of it. In disposing of one or two crops of apples I tired
of working the cider-mill two or three months in a season (the mill
worked for this and adjoining towns), and became disgusted with
selling good cooking apples in the orchard, sixteen bushels for a
dollar, and doing most of the work of picking and loading them.
Some years before this, I had some personal acquaintance with many
orchards and their owners, in Kennebec county ; had spent several
months in a good orchard district in Massachusetts, and had seen
something of Connecticut, New York and Ohio. The circumstances
in which I was placed in 1838 were urgent prompters in the way of
orchard improvement. With abundant material to work upon, and
a considerable circle of acquaintance from which to get good advice
and better fruits, I entered with considerable zeal upon the work of
improving myself and the orchards. My success in the wa}' of good
advice was rapid and satisfactory for the time, and in collectiug
varieties of apples I was soon over-loaded. I met and made the
acquaintance of Marcian Seavey and Dr. E. Holmes at the printing

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 77

office of the Maine Farmer, at Winthrop. I met Dr. Holmes,
Nathan Foster. John Kezer, Daniel Fairbanks, and two or three
others, and organized a pomological society — and then and there we
made the blander of giving a sweet name to a sour apple presented
by the venerable Paul Baile}', the man and the apples being present
— and neither the man nor apples objecting. I made the acquaint-
ance of Moses B. Sears, who probably did more grafting than an}-
other man in Maine ; and from his work, and that of N. Foster, D.
Fairbanks and some other successful operators, I made the heads
of grown trees a study, to so change them to better fruit safely
through the least possible number of scions, and in the least time.

I was in the meetings of fruit growers holden in Syracuse,
Rochester and Boston, and became familiar with the faces and
voices of many of the giant workers in the past and present, among
which I particularly remember the names of Kennicott, Tliomas,
(David and John J., father and son) , Barr^-, Reed, Hovey, Downing
and Wilder. I had accomplished something before receiving help
through the books of Downing, Cole and Thomas. I had become
a rapid and successful operator in the orchard and nursery, and m}*
reputation as such became somewhat an anno3'ance from pressing
invitations to do w^ork for others. To this I yielded for a few years,
and in five consecutive years set one hundred thousand scions for
myself and others, and in all the towns from Abbott and IMonson,
to Brownville and Milo. In these years I urged boys and men to
learn and practice for themselves, giving them all the necessary in-
structions to start. With this sort of gratuitous w^ork done in ever}'
neighborhood I entered, I soon had the pleasure of seeing several
young men carrying on the work I had well begun.

In these years of orchard work I introduced most of the leading
varieties known in the State, that had not reached here before.
Jewett's Red (Nodhead) I first obtained from Hon. Joseph E. Fox-
croft, the proprietor and patron of this town. On a package of
scions received from him, he wrote : "Nodhead. Of this variety-
you cannot raise too man}'."

I moved from the old farm to a few acres at the village in 1851,
and started a nursery — putting 3000 trees in the cellar, which I
grafted in winter and set out in the spring of 1852. To these I
made additions in the three following years, so as to have ten
thousand grafted trees growing at once. Considerable zeal was then
abroad for new and go'od orchards. Agents for the large western

78 STATE POMOLOQICAL SOCIETY.

nurseries then appeared. Those who could resist importunities to
give orders, made much talk of setting orchards with home-grown
trees ; and being advised that the}- could be set in either spring or
fall, and as the trees were in stock in quantity in their neighborhood,
few were quite ready to take them in spring, and would defer to fall.
In fall they would conclude to wait till spring.

The deep snows of winter and excessive cold wrought havoc on
the nurser}' ; and at the end of a few 3'ears I cleaned the thing up
and discharged it in the smoke of a few brush-heaps. The maker
of the county map honored m}^ place as the nursery — all else was
emptiness. I never received 25 cents a day for the time I had given
•it. Let the work of the tree peddlers go on. I can buy a better
tree than I can grow hei'e ; — and what is more, we are almost sure,
with each tree bought, to get new fruit, unheard of before and not
ordered.

Names are important things in fruit matters. The origin and
histor)' of a choice variety sometimes seems to confer honor and
diguit}' upon the localit}^ producing it, so that men contend for that
honor when the matter of place happens to rest in doubt. This is
seen in the case of the Baldwin apple. I raise a question in regard
to the

ORIGIN OF THE HUBBARDSTON NONSUCH.

I asked a friend in Barre, Mass., for scions of that variety. On
sending them he expressed regret that he had not received notice a
few daj's earlier, as he had occasion to pass the original tree in the
adjoining town of Hubbardston. As it was, he was able to take
them from a tree he knew to be engrafted from the original. These
scions soon produced fruit, and 3'ou may imagine ni}^ surprise on
finding it identical in appearance with that from my father's grafting
thirty 3^ears before. I then sent samples of both to S. W. Cole,
editor of the New England Farmer^ as the then best authority', and
he pronounced them alike and true to the name. I then visited the
neighliorhood where my father obtained his scions, thirty miles and
more south of Hubbardston, and in an earlier settled portion of the
State, and there in Cliarlton and Southbridge, in Massachusetts, and
Thompson, in Connecticut, in the oldest orchards, found trees bearing
this same apple — trees of the largest size and greatest age, and
giving no sign of being grafted in the tops. Tliey surely were
grafted at the root. Doubting the claim of origin, I then obtained

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 79

the following : That a tract of land twelve miles square, embracing
Hubbardstou and three other towns, was purchased of the Indians,
and that the owners of the tract had encouraged about thirty
families to settle upon it before or near the 3'ear 1750. There is an
account of one Jonathan Allen setting out the first orchard, bring-
ing forty trees from Lexington on the back of a horse. The year
not given. Now putting things together, my friend in Barre could
have taken scions from the original (?) tree in 1845, and I found
many trees bearing the same apple in 1848 — trees appearing to be
a hundred j'ears old or more ; and if I have made a wide error in
an over-estimate of such age, then these trees must have been at
their best estate when m}- father left there In 1806 ; and if grafted
from Hubbardston, would undoubtedly have borne the name as now,
and that name familiar to him. The facts substantially as I now
give them, were given out through the Maine Farmer when I had
them fresh in hand. My belief is, that the tree in Hubbardston was
a graft from the older settlement on the south — but it is a matter of
little consequence now.

With the nursery disposed of, and my few acres fairly stocked for
family use, I took no further special interest in the cause of fruit
culture. My fine stock of plums and cherries went out sudclenlj'
with the malady of black-knot, and I am not yet able to replace
them, as the tendency of those fruits in that direction has not
ceased.

Pear trees succeed fairl}' here, and an increasing interest in that
fruit is apparent. Of grapes, I have, or have had, thirty varieties
on trial ; but the last two seasons have given little encouragement
for continued efforts with them.

I can do no more for the fruit cause with my hands, and can only
advise the people of our county of Piscataquis to continue to work
for good apples and pears, believing that in and through them will
come many of the blessings of life.

NOTES OX PEAE CULTUEE.

By D. P. True, of Leeds Centre.

Pear growing in this State is largely on the increase, man3' of the
trees that have been put out in the past have already borne their
first fruits, and those who have waited and watched feel a new in-
terest as they reap the reward of their labor. But to secure the

80 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

best results, the right location and suitable varieties should be
chosen. The pear is more delicate than the apple, and will not bear
the disadvantage of a dr}^ or wet soil as well. It requires a deep,
friable loam, with a rather dry subsoil, as its roots run deep. Hill-
sides are good locations.

Standard pears should be set twenty-five or thirty feet apart, and
dwarf pear or plum trees may be set between theuj ; as these trees
come to bearing very young and are short-lived, will give some
fruit soon and will die or can be cut away so as to give room for the
standard trees.

Of tlie numerous varieties on trial, many proving desirable in
other sections do not give satisfaction in this State. For an early
pear, Osband's Summer is perfectly hard}-, a good grower, and
great bearer ; ripens the middle of August. The Brandy wine is a
good pear and follows Osband's Summer in the order of ripening,
but it takes the tree a long time to come to bearing. Clapp's
Favorite is a large, fine pear ; tree very hard}-. Of the fall pears,
the Flemish Beauty is one of the best, if the fruit did not have the
habit of cracking. Those that have trees of this variet}- can very
readily change the top by grafting. They make the hardiest of stocks,
will stand the winters where many of the "■Iron-Clad" varieties of
apples will not. The writer has seen the Flemish Beauty growing
and fruiting in the town of Hodgdon, in Aroostook county, and the
owner. Col. Thomas, said that in his location he onl}- succeeded
with five or six of the "Iron-Clad" apples. The pear can be as
readily grafted as the apple. The Louise Boune de Jersey, Beurre
Superfine and Beurre d' Anjou have proved ver}- hardy and good
bearers. The Lawrence is one of the best winter varieties ; tree
very hardy and has never failed to mature its fruit. A number of
the winter varieties fail to ripen in this section. The Vicar of AVink-
field is one of this class, but it is very productive, the fruit is large,
and quite good if it can be well ripened. Winter #Nelis is one of
the most delicious of pears, but in man}^ locations is not hard}-.

In the analysis of the wood of the pear and apple, the heart
wood of the apple was found to contain 6.2 percent of potash, and
the pear, 2G.4 per cent. Of phosphate of Ume, the apple contained
5.2, and the pear, 20.9 per cent. We see by this comparison liow
necessary good culture is ; and do we wonder why we often meet
with failure when the pear is planted in our old worn-out soils?
The land should be constantly tilled among the trees, and the ma-

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. gl

mire should be such as to give a constant growth. Apply potash in
the form of wood ashes, phosphate of lime in bone manure ; use
lime, stable manure, salt, plaster, etc.

Blight has been the bane of the pear grower in other States, but
up to the present but little trouble from it has been experienced in
this State. Insects are not very numerous on the pear. For slugs,
throw slaked lime among the leaves and branches when the dew is
on. As a rule the winter pears are best when allowed to remain on
the tree as long as the season will permit, but some of the summer
and autumn varieties, if allowed to remain on the tree until fully
ripe, will become dry and insipid.

Pears when gathered should be packed in barrels or boxes, for,
like the russet apple, they will wither if exposed too long in the
open air. As a general thing, it costs more to raise pears than
apples, yet they are so desirable that ever}- fruit grower should culti-
vate them, and carefully select the best and most hardy.

EARLY GEAPES FOR THE NORTH.
By H. A. Robinson, of Foxcroft.

Every j-ear the possibility of growing and ripening grapes still a
little farther north, is increased by the production and dissemination
of new varieties which ripen extremely early ; a great advance
having been made in that direction in the last few years.

Here, at Foxcroft, latitude 45° 15', we are beyond the northern
limit of the ripening of the Concord and such other varieties as
ripen with it. The Delaware, being a sweet grape, will, in favorable
seasons and in good locations, get to be quite good eating.

But we now have a long list of varieties earlier than the Concord.
Of the more than fort}- varieties which I have now growing, and -to
which I am adding every year from all over the countr}', those kinds
which have the recommendation of extreme earliness, I will mention
a few, first earl}-, and of good quality. The Lady grape, originated
by Mr. Geo. W. Campbell of Delaware, Ohio, is a seedling of the
Concord, first earl}', greenish white, sweet and good. Moore's
Early, another Concord seedling, originated by Capt. John B.
Moore of Concord, Mass., is very earl}-. Berr}' large, black, good
quality. These I have fruited and can recommend.

There is a new ver}' early black grape, the Early Victor, originated
by Mr. John Burr of Leavenworth, Kan., which has not yet fruited
6

32 STATE POMOLOQICAL SOCIETY.

with me, but which is so unanimously well spoken of by those who
have fruited it, as a very early, hardy grape of excellent quality,
that I have no doubt it will prove to be so.

Other early varieties of varying quality in order of merit are.
Early Dawn, Cottage, Janesville, Florence, Hartford Prolific, Blood's
Black, Champion, (poor), etc. Others that ripen a trifle later, but
earlier than the Concord, are. El Dorado, Purity, Brighton, Massa-
soit, Yergennes, August Giant, Worden, Wyoming Red, Dracut
Amber, etc., to which might be added as many more all earlier than
the Concord. But these will suffice. Those who are greatly inter-
ested in the matter will learn from the various catalogues the names
and characteristics of the different varieties. For those who onl}-
want a few varieties, the above is a sufficient guide to kinds of a
satisfactory quality. One's taste should be educated to crave better
grapes than the Clinton, Hartford, Champion, etc. It is as easy to
cultivate the vine of a good variety as that of a poor one, and the
satisfaction is much greater. To be sure, our grapes do not have
that sweetness and fine flavor that grapes have that grow in a
warmer climate, but we need not for that reason remain entirely
without.

At the magnificent fair of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society,
held at Philadelphia last September, I was shown and invited to
taste the famed "Niagara" grape — the grape that is held and con-
trolled by a company who refuse to dispose of a single vine except
upon stringent conditions and for vineyard planting ; the company
to share in the production for a term of years. These grapes were
grown, so the gentleman in charge informed me, upon the Jeflerson
estate at Monticello, in Virginia, and had been sent by a round-
about way to the fair, yet they were in perfect condition — the boxes
even full, and in quality perfectly delicious beyond what I had ever
imagined a grape could be. The skins, which seemed at first to re-
sist, would break with a sudden sharpness and then was let loose
what seemed to be nectar — a mixture of stored sunshine and honey-
dew. The bare remembrance of that taste is a pleasure.

But I have an idea that those grapes were more perfect in flavor
and sweetness raised in the warm and balmy air of the "Old
Dominion" than they would have been grown in New York or Mass-
achusetts ; as much better, perhaps, as their grapes are better and
sweeter than ours.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. §3

The Niagara is a large greenish white grape, developed from a
cross between the Concord and Cassad}'. The Cassady was an im-
mense bearer, greenish white, with a peculiar honeyed sweetness
which seems to have descended to the Niagara. Ripens about
with the Concord.

At the fair of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, in
Boston the next week, I saw Moore's early grape as grown by the
originator. It was very fine. Also a new earl}^ white grape by the
same originator, named the Francis B. Hayes, or as it will probably
be called for short, the "Hayes." This grape has been awarded a
first-class certificate of merit by the Massachusetts Societ}-, and will
be for sale in the spring of 1884.

I obtained, in the fall of 1882, a vine of the Jessica, a new white
grape introduced by Dr. D. W. Beadle of the St. Catharine's
nurseries, Ontario. This he claims is the earliest white grape in ex-
istence, ripening with or before the Champion, and of the best
quality ; equal to the Delaware. If so it will do to plant alongside
of the Lady.

Green grapes, or rather those not quite ripe, make excellent jelh',
jam and preserves. They sell in this section for from 5 to 10 cts.
per pound for these purposes ; and grapes that are fairly- ripe vfill
alwaj's bring 1 0 cts.

Whj' not plant a few grape vines suited to j'our climate, in some
favorable location, on the south side of some building, great boulder,
ledge or stone wall ? I see plenty of such places through the country
and I never see them without thinking — what a nice chance for a
grape vine. If people would only improve their opportunities, how
much they might have that they do not now have. The}' would
have a strawberrj^ patch, where on three or four square rods would
grow all the strawberries an ordinar}- family would need. Fresh
fruits and berries are wholesome, and are luxuries that the farmer
and his fainil}-, who can so easily have them, too often go without.
This ma}' be owing partly to the lack of knowledge of their proper
and successful cultivation, and oft-times doubtless is ; but that can
be easily acquired.

Vines that can be planted on high ridges or elevated lands will
often escape late and earlj' frosts, and mature grapes when those
situated on the lowlands in the same vicinity may be injured. The
foliage of the grape vine is easily ruined by frost, especially in the
spring ; and a xevy light freezing injures the fruit.

84 STATE POMOLOQICAL SOCIETY.

Grape vines should, on the approach of winter, be pruned and laid
down upon the ground ; and it is well to place on them a few ever-
green boughs or something of the sort, especiall}' if the}' are not
situated where the snow will drift over them early to protect them.

In buying, I always as far as possible order of the originator of
the variet}' wanted. Next, of long-established and reliable nurser^'-
men, at their nurseries ; and then take pains to permanently label
the different varieties. A very simple waj* to do that is to write the
name on a small strip of sheet zinc with a common black lead pencil-
It will last for 3'ears.

I think that in the southern part of the State, where the long list of
grapes that ripen about with the Concord will bareh' mature, better
fruit would be obtained b}- planting the best of the ver}- early varie-
ties, as they would ripen while the weather was warm and more
favorable for the development of that sweetness which onh' comes
with a proper degree of warmth and b}' long hanging upon the vine.

THE SWEET PRINCIPLE OF FRUITS AND PLANTS.

Reprinted from the transactions of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society by
permission of the author,

Dr. James R. Nichols, of Haverill, Mass.

The most interesting phenomenon connected with the growth of
fruits and vegetables, is the development in their structures of
chemical principles which influence in a peculiar manner the sense
of taste. A variety of impressions are produced upon the nerves
of taste, some of which are agreeable and others disagreeable, by
bringing in contact the juices of certain fruits, roots, grasses,
leaves, etc., in their mature and fresh condition. The sense of
sweetness is usuallj- agreeable, while the sour and the bitter are of
the opposite character.

The term sweet is applied to a class of bodies which are found
in fruits, and in a considerable number of vegetable structures, but
we do not clearl}- understand how the}' are capable of exerting so
decided and pleasurable an influence upon the palate, not only of
human beings, but upon animals as well. As we walk through
our gardens and orchards, and watch the growth of the luxuriant
products of the soil, we do not often stop to consider the intricate
and wonderful chemical reactions which are unceasingly taking
place in everything that springs from the earth upon which we

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 35

tread. We place the luscious ripened fruits upon our tables, and
partake of them with deep sensual gratification, but we do not often
consider the origin and nature of the complex agents which render
them so acceptable.

The sense of taste is in some respects the most mysterious and
wonderful of all senses. If the sense of touch is, as seems
probable, the parent sense, or the primal avenue through which
mind was able to assert itself, it must be that taste was the next
most necessary sense for man's elevation and protection. All we
know about it chemically or physiologically, is that a delicate net-
work of nerves ramifies through the tissues of the tongue, and in
surrounding or adjacent parts, and that they have the functional
duty to perform of conveying to the "central office," — the brain, —
sensations as regards the nature of what is brought in contact. If
we examine into the chemical or physical character of these nerves,
we do not find that thej' are in the slightest respect different from
the optic or auditory nerves which transmit sensations so absolutely
unlike. They are the same in color, structure, and chemical con-
stitution ; but how different their office ! Nature has fixed limits
to our fields of investigation, and however anxioush* we may
inquire, we cannot take a single step over the boundar}' line which
divides the known from the unknowable. We must content our-
selves, therefore, with the act of bringing substances in contact
with the little telephonic nerve conductors of the mouth, and per-
mit them to inform the interior man whether they are noxious or
innoxious, agreeable or disagreeable, and not ask hoio the messages
are conveyed.

Substances characterized by sweetness, are assumed to contain an
organic product called sugar, and, as a class, vegetable structures
do contain it in some one of its forms. There are, however, a few
substances which have a sweet taste not due to sugar. Acetate of
lead is an example afforded in the mineral world, and glycerine is a
sweet liquid, the base of fatty acid compounds having no sugar.
There is a form called hepatic sugar, which is a product of the liver,
and some of the secretions of the body contain it. It is, however,
in the organic world that we find sugar in the vast quantities needed
by man, and in the juices of fruits and plants we find its hiding
place.

Before vegetable physiology and chemistry were understood, the
belief prevailed that all the characteristic constituents of fruits and

gg STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

plants were in some way hunted from the soil, and convej'ed to
their resting places by the sap, which was known to circulate
through living vegetable organisms. Although no sugar could be
detected in any soil by the most persistent scrutiny, yet it was
supposed that sugar, and its associated acid and other plant con-
stituents, were present, and ready for transportation by the ascend-
ing sap. We are disposed to smile at this error of our fathers, but
we should remember that, in accounting for natural phenomena, or
seeking for a reason for things, the easiest and shortest path is the
one usually followed. This remains true until we are guided by
facts learned from accurate observation and experiment, or until
science becomes sufficiently robust to act as an unerring guide.

Science, in our epoch, is capable of explaining man}' of the
former mysteries of plant movements and plant production, and
we now know the source of the sweet principle of fruits and plants,
— we know that the soil has no direct agency in supplying sugar to
any organic structure.

Sugar is a verj' remarkable substance, and its investigation opens
to view surprises and paradoxes not afforded by any other agent
in nature. It is highl}' complex in its organization, having a high
atomic constitution, and yet it is the simplest of all compounds
when considered in regard to the nature of the elements of which
it is composed.

In studying the sweet principle of plants, we soon discover that
the}' possess the capability of elaborating more than one variet}' of
sugar in their structures, and that there is a curious blending of
several forms in the ripened fruits which corae upon our tables. We
discover, also, that each plant has the power of manufacturing a
special variet}', or a combination of varieties, and that this law of
their constitution cannot be changed by man.

In beet roots, in the stems and trunks of the sugar maple tree,
the sycamore, the palm, in sugar canes, in the sorghum plant, in
the stalks of maize, in grasses, we have one kind of sugar, called
sucrose, which is the sweetest variety ; in grapes we have another
distinct variety, called dextrose or glucose; in apples and other
fruits we have still another, called fructose or levulose. In melons
we have a sweet which is nearly pure sucrose, or cane sugar. We
learn from this examination not only that sugars differ widely, but
that, for wise and doubtless beneficent reasons, the Supreme Intel-
ligence has not permitted all fruits and plants to be sweetened

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 37

alike. In that vegetable monstrosit}' called a beet, which is hidden
from the clear sunlight and the air during the whole period of its
growth, there are found juices which hold the most noble and valu-
able form of sugar known to man. The crimson tissues of this
root contain the snow-white sugar which graces the tea tables of the
kings and princes of continental Europe ; and millions of pounds
find their wa}- into commerce, always commanding the highest
prices. The humble, earthly beet, can hold up its head in pride,
when its sweetness is contrasted with that of the petted grape,
which occupies the foremost place among our delicious fruits. The
grape is sweetened with glucose, an ignoble form of sugar which
the chemist can make in the laboratory, and its production does not
require the employment of costly or rare materials. Even if it
lessens our respect for the tempting fruit of the vine, the truth
must be told. The chemist can make the sweet juices of the grape
from old cotton rags and old newspapers ; and if this statement
does not indicate a sufficiently low origin, I have onl}' to remark
that it can be made from common sawdust as well. Human art has
not 3'et been able to number among its triumphs the production of
the sugar of the beet, the maple, or the cane.

The sweet principle of fruits, other than the grape, cannot be
imitated in the laborator3\ It is a mixture of at least two forms
of sugar — sucrose and dextrose — in var\Mng proportions, as is
shown in the following tables.

How curious and mj'sterious is this plan in nature, of delicately
adjusting the taste of our noble fruits, so as to produce a sense of
the highest enjoyment in their use. In some fruits we find the
sweet to exist in its lowest modified form ; but this is not due to a
lessening of the amount of the sweetest sugar, but to the presence
of an entirely different kind. It is probable that the peculiar deli-
cate flavor and taste of the grape could not be secured b}- an}'
adjustment of quantity of sucrose or cane sugar, or b}* an}- mix-
tures. It requires glucose, pure and simple, to act in conjunction
with the delicate acids, in order that we may have this fruit in its
highest perfection. The watermelon would not be the fruit it is
if it had not the capability of manufacturing cane sugar in large
quantities ; neither would the apple, the peach, the cherry, the
strawberry', or the pear be what they are, if the plants and trees
upon which they grow had not the power of bringing into play a
subtle chemistr}', by which is produced a mixture of distinct forms

gg STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

of sweets which no art of man can imitate. If there was in nature
Ijut one kind of sugar, the number of choice delicacies in our gar-
dens and fruit orchards would be lamentably small.

But nature does not, in the bestowal of her fruits, spontaneously,
or of her own free will, sweeten them for us so acceptably. What
are designed to be luxuries and the most highly prized forms of
food, she ordains shall be bestowed only through the exercise of
labor, care, and skill, on the part of man. No one of the fruits in
its wild or native state holds any considerable quantity of sugar of
an}' kind — not enough to make it acceptable to the taste, or fit it to
serve as food. It is only by skillful cultivation, by hybridizing, by
budding and grafting, that we have secured the sweet principle in
fruits. We have, as it were, educated the dumb chemists in the
vegetable cell, and fitted them for the work which nature made them
competent to perform under man's guidance.

It is indeed wonderful that we can increase or diminish the
amount of sugar in any kind of fruit or plant by cultivation. The
beet, for example, under ordinary care, will afford from four to six
per cent of sugar ; but, by scientific and generous culture, the
percentage can be nearly or quite doubled. I have succeeded in
increasing the sweet principle in apples, grapes, and peaches, by
cultivation and proper fertilization, and this, when the principle
was originally present in normal quantity. In increasing the sugar,
we also increase every other desirable quality in the fruit ; for one
principle cannot be forced into prominence without being accom-
panied by all the others.

I will now endeavor to explain b}' the aid of chemical symbols
the natui-e of the different sugars, and also show the nature of the
sweet principle of some fruits. In the arrangement of symbols,
table No. 1 , I bring to view the atomic constitution of a molecule
of sucrose or cane sugar ; also that of starch, and the necessary
changes to convert starch into sugar.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

89

Table No. 1.

Sucrose ... C12 H22 On

Aqua , H2 O

Starch Ce Hio O5

Multiply by 2

Add.

C12 H20 Oio
H2 O

Sucose C12 H22 On

Table No. 2.

Glucose

Multiply by

Subtract
Sugar . . ,

Ce H12

06

2

C12 H24

H2

O12
0

C12 H22

On

Hydrogen 22

Table No. 3.

HOW FRUITS ARE SWEETENED.
Cane Sugar.

Strawberries 6.37

Peaches 2.10

Pears 62

Grape Sugar.
.. 4.98
.. 3.17
.. 8.42

Oranges 4.22 4.36

Grapes (Black Hamburg) 00 17.26

" (Concord) 00 14.08

" (Green) 00 1.60

Melons (Water) 8.17 00

" (Musk) 9.02 00

Dextrose Ce H12 Oe

Levulose Ce H12 Oe

Fruit Sugar Ce H12 Oe

»\

90 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

A molecule of common water is represented thus, H2 0, which
means that it is composed of two atoms of h3^drogen and one of
oxygen. Now to form sugar out of starch we must double the
molecule, and this we do by multiplying the starch molecule by two,
but this does not give us sugar ; it is necessary to add a molecule of
water, which gives us in the diagram, sugar, as shown by comparing
the resultant line of notation with the upper.

In table No. 2 is shown the composition of grape sugar or
glucose, and also how it must be modified so as to change it into
cane sugar. We must first double the molecule as is shown, and
then subtract one molecule of water, and this gives us cane sugar,
C12 H22 Oil. In the triangle is presented a hypothetical molecule
of cane sugar, composed of its constituent atoms. Oxygen, H^'dro-
gen and Carbon. It is apparent that a substance so constituted
must be in a condition of unstable equilibrium, for there is constant
tendenc}' to change and form new compounds. Sugar is a substance
very easily decomposed, and by the application of heat, a large
number of new compounds result. One of these new bodies is
alcohol, which is represented by the formula

C2 He O.
An examination of the diagrams will show you how starch is con-
verted into glucose. Starch has the formula as shown,

Ce Hio O5.

Now if we add to a molecule one molecule of water, H2 O, we have
glucose,

Ce H12 Oe,
and this is all that is necessary to convert the starch of corn or
potatoes into the sweet principle of grapes.

We cannot convert starch into cane sugar, because we cannot
double the size of the molecule and force into combination one
more molecule of water. If we could accomplish this result, all our
crystallizable cane sugar would be made in the laboratory', and the
growth of sugar cane, beets, etc., would cease, as the artificial
process would suppl}' sugar at cheaper rates.

We can make grape sugar out of starch, because we have discov-
ered a method of forcing one more molecule of water into corabina-
tion with it, and this gives us glucose.

Table No. 3 explains how several kinds of fruits are sweetened.
The percentage of cane sugar and fruit sugars which enters into

STATE POMOLOQICAL SOCIETY. 9]^

strawberries, peaches, pears, etc., is shown. It will be noticed
that in grapes no cane sugar is presented ; the sweet principle is
entirely glucose. Of course fruits vary greatly in the amount of
sugar they contain. These examples are presented as the results
of anah^sis made with the view of obtaining general or approxi-
mative results. Whilst it is possible to increase the saccharine
principle, and also to modify the hydrated malic acid constituent
in fruits, it is entirely beyond our power to change the fixed nature
of vines, shrubs, and trees b}- an}" methods of cultivation or fertili-
zation 3'et discovered. I know of nothing more wonderful in nature
than the persistenc}' with which vegetable structures adhere to their
original bent or design. Trees producing sour apples, pears, peaches,
or vines producing astringent grapes, cannot be turned aside from
their laboratory work, unless hy the introduction of scions, or the
employment of the knife in other wa^'s.

"We all know that two trees growing side b}' side, from the same
soil, breathing the same air, and precisely alike in external and
internal structure, will grow fruit totally dissimilar in chemical con-
stituents and physical appearance. If a 3'oung sour apple tree is
cut off low in its trunk, and scions of another kind inserted, it is
changed only above the point where they are placed. The chemical
reactions below continue true to their original instinct, and if fruit
comes from a sprout it is charged with the acid juices of the parent
tree.

We thus have the bewildering fact brought before us that sap
circulating through one portion of a tree culminates in the pro-
duction of excess of acid in the fruit ; while in another there is
found an excess of sugar. It is not unusual to observe a newly set
scion bud, blossom, and bear fruit the first year. The apple may
weigh ten times as much as the frail scion which held it up, and
supplied the nutriment necessary' for its growth, but the little twig
transplanted to an alien limb, will set up a laboratorj^ of its own,
and from the strange juices brought to it, will manufacture fruit
entirely dissimilar to its companion fruits growing in close prox-
imity. An example of this nature was afforded in my orchard,
when from a scion having a surface for cell action of only nine
square inches, a sweet apple was grown weighing seven ounces, and
affording from its juices ninety- three grains of fruit sugar.

We have, however, still more wonderful examples of fruit chem-
istry in apples which in their own structure exhibit sectional differ-

92 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

ences of composition, one-half or one-quarter being saccharine, the
other portions being extremely acid, and having the sectional lines
distinctl}' drawn. I have seen a basket of this remarkable fruit in
which the divisions were in all proportions, but each one unmistak-
ably marked.

I have brought to view these interesting examples of plant chem-
istry-, not with the supposition that they are new to 3'ou, but simply
to awaken inquiry and stimulate research, that we ma}', if possible,
obtain new light upon some most perplexing problems.

The sap of plants, which is largely water, may have but little
agency in influencing those changes which result in the production
of the sweet principle in fruits. Cell action, controlled by the
actinic solar ra}', is unquestionably the source or active agent in the
chemical changes which accompanj^ vegetable life. The vast vol-
ume of water, which in the form of sap courses through our fruit
trees, cannot, however, be lightly regarded. It brings to the cells
the elements and molecules of inorganic material, which enter into
the reactions involved in plant chemistry ; and it is only through the
sap that we can beneficially influence the products of our orchards
and vineyards. It is probable that we do not often stop to consider
the immense preponderance of water in our fruits, which is shown
b}' analysis.

Several 3'ears ago, I made analysis of several varieties of apples,
with the view of determining their exact food value. Among them
were the Talman's Sweet, Hubbardston and Baldwin.

The apples selected were in different stages of ripeness, the
Hubbardston being more advanced than the others. Ver}' im-
portant modifications are produced by the chemical changes in
apples as they approach the stage of maturity, or the period when
they become mellow and ready for the table. The amount of sugar
increases, and the hydrated malic acid decreases, or disappears
altogether in some fruits. The cell walls of the structure become
softened, and readily break down ; oxidation begins at any point
where imperfection or abrasions in the skin occur. The amount of
nutritive material is to some extent increased in ripe apples, and
they are much more easily digested and assimilated by men and
animals.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 93

The results of the analj'sis were as follows :

HUBBARDSTONS.

Water 88,57

Albuminoids, pectose gum, and sugar 11.27

Ash O.IG

100.00

TALMAN'S SWEETS.

Water 83.29

Albuminoids, sugar, pectose gum, etc 1G.54

Ash 0.17

100.00

The unripe Baldwins gave 87 per cent water, with a less amount
of albuminoids and sugar than the others, and considerable free
hj'drated malic acid. The sugar varied from about 5 per cent in
the Baldwins to 9 per cent in the Sweets. The total insoluble
matters, including skin, seeds, pectine, ash, etc., averaged about
3.25 per cent.

These results show how largeh- preponderating in ap[)les is the
water, which in amount is about 85 per cent of their weight.
Therefore, a tree bearing 30 bushels (46 pounds to the bushel),
holds up in the fruit about half a ton of water. The nutritive value
of apples, is, of course, not in the water, but in the solids, — allnimi-
noids, sugar and gum. In a bushel of Hubbardstons, there is
about six pounds of soluble nutritive material at the period of
ripening ; in Talman's Sweets, about seven pounds ; in Baldwins,
five pounds ; and this material will vary to a considerable extent in
value. Sugar is a carbonaceous substance, and nutritive in a cer-
tain direction. It is mainly useful as fuel, and b}- oxidation serA-es
to maintain animal warmth. The albuminoids are nitrogenous and
therefore are foods pro[)er ; the gum is also a food.

The albuminoids are seldom found above half of one per cent in
an}- varieties, and this would give us less than four ounces in the
bushel ; of sugar, we find in a bushel about two and a half pounds
in acid fruits, and considerably more in sweet.

The anahsis of apples as presented, shows that the amount of
nutriment, or absolute food they contain, in proportion to bulk, is
small. This research extended over considerable ground, much of

94 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

which is not pertinent to this discussion. I will simply say that, as
regards apples as food for animals, my practical experience in feed-
ing them confirms the results of anah'sis. They are of some value,
and when fed in connection with meal, serve to give zest to the
appetite and keep animals in health. The riper the apples the
better the results, and they should not be fed in a half-frozen state
to milch cows, as this course will invariably cut short the milk
supply. If they are cooked by boiling, their value is much en-
hanced, as more perfect digestion results.

In the cultivation of fruits, we should not be misled by the fact
that they do not, in themselves, exhaust soils, except in a slight
degree. The constituent principles of fruits are, to a large extent,
organic, and, therefore, derivable from water and the atmosphere.
Sugar, the important principle of all fruits, takes nothing from the
soil which has monej' value. The albuminoids, as has been shown,
are very sparsely distributed throng most of our fruits, and as they
hold the nitrogenous element, it is seen that nitrogenous manures are
not needed in large quantities in orchards or fruit gardens. Anah^-
sis of the grape shows that in most varieties nitrogen, as supplied
in manures, is not necessary'. The results of anal3'sis in the case of
all fruits, have been satisfactorily confirmed in m}- practical experi-
ence.

I have never found nitrogenous manures to exert marked specific
influence upon any of my fruit crops, and years ago I discontinued
their use. Fruit trees, shrubs, and vines need nitrogen, but the
spontaneous supply in soils is fully equal to the comparatively small
amounts required. There is one mineral element which may be said
to be the pabulum par excellence of growing fruits, and that is pot-
ash. It is certainl}' true that we cannot raise perfect and desirable
fruits if we withhold this element from the soils of our orchards.
When it is considered that we influence growing fruits only through
the act of rendering the tree or vine vigorous and healthy, and when
we further consider how much potash is required to maintain a nor-
mal condition in large fruit trees, which are constantly under the
pruning saw and knife, we obtain some correct views of the im-
portance of this agent in soils. Both the fruit of the vine, and the
vine itself, are great consumers of potash. The same may be said
of most of our small or soft fruits.

It is not usually advisable to attempt to reclaim and render pro-
ductive a worn out grape border, but if any satisfactory success is

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 95

attainable, it is only through a plentiful supply of good wood ashes
and bone meal.

Twenty years ago, I discovered that it was best, in preparing
borders for cold grape houses, to use plenty of wood ashes, and to
place the fertilizing materials in successive thin layers, rather than
in the usual form of a mixed heap. I have one border prepared in
this way which is made up of sixty alternating strata of different
fertilizing substances, and they have remained undisturbed for
twenty years. The fruit product from this border has been uni-
formly excellent in quantity and qualit}-, from year to year, and
renewal has not been necessary.

My view is, that the subterranean feeders of the vine will follow
what may be designated as vegetable instinct in procuring food,
going no further for it than is necessar3\ If we place phosphoric
acid, lime, potash, and nitrogenous salts in distinct layers, each
resting upon one of good soil, we place our vine roots, as it were,
at a table spread with many dishes, and unerring instinct will guide
in selecting what is needed to keep the vine and fruit in the best
possible condition.

The saccharine qualities of the Black Hamburg and Frontignan
varieties are greatly improved by having at hand plentiful supplies
of potash ; and wood ashes is the best possible source for this
alkali. The German chlorides are next to be preferred, but they
do not, in vineyards, meet the desirable results supplied b}- ashes.

The ordinary German Kainit, as found in commerce, I class
among the poisons in the list of assumed vegetable foods. I have
never failed to observe injurious results in the use of these salts
on my farm. Common salt is not a manure, and we may as well so
decide once for all.

After an experience of nearly a quarter of a century in conduct-
ing an experimental farm, I have reached the conclusion that the
growth of our fruits, and most of our cereal crops, is best promoted
by the use of a fertilizing mixture, made up of finely ground fresh
bones and good wood ashes. This mixture I arranged and recom-
mended twenty years ago, and I find after persistent soil experi-
ments, extending over many 3ears, that I am using it more freely
than ever.

My method of preparing it is, to take six barrels of pure raw
bone flour, and twelve of good wood ashes, and mix them well
together upon a shed floor, adding, during the mixing, twent^^

96 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

buckets of water and one baiTel of gypsum or plaster. This mix-
ture ma}' be allowed to stand a few weeks, or it may be used at
once if needed. If permitted to stand long it heats from chemical
action, and the freed ammonia is in part fixed as a sulphate by the
plaster, but not all of it.

For fruits of everj^ kind I know of no better fertilizing material,
and as it supplies every needed element of nutrition, its eflfects are
remarkabl}' persistent and immediate.

But, gentlemen, I must detain j'ou no longer. I cannot think
that I have presented anything new, or of special value to a com-
pany' so intelligent and experienced as this. There are old facts
and forms of knowledge, which it is well to call up for consideration
occasionally, as we often find that the good and excellent have been
neglected because they are old.

AN ESSAY ON FLORICULTURE.

By Mrs. A B. Strattard, of Monroe.

"These are thy glorious works, Parent of good,
Almighty ! Thine this universal frame.
Thus wondrous fair; thyself how wondrous then,
Unspeakable ! who sittest above these heavens.
To us invisible, or dimly seen
In these thy lowest works ; yet these declare
The goodness beyond thought, and power divine."

" And nature is to me a living thing,
Food to the heart, and beauty to the eye :
The bud, the flower, the autumn's mellow sky
Awake the moral thought and sympathy."

The!jcultivation of flowers is a God-given vocation, and is as old
as the creation itself. The great All-Father created man in His own
image, and made him only " a little lower than the angels," and as
a fitting home for such a creation, He made the garden of Eden and
filled it almost to overflowing with all manner of fruits and flowers,
and placed man in the midst of it, that he might enjoy them, and
worship Him by looking "through nature up to nature's God."
And to-day every flower that grows on the face of this fair earth of
ours, had its origin in the garden of Eden, which in its turn was a
part of the beautiful gardens in that bright world beyond —

"Where everlasting spring abides,
And never-withering flowers."

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 97

God created flowers as a connecting link between Himself and
man, and the}' were made so beautiful that even "• Solomon in all
his glorj' was not arrayed like unto one of the humblest of them."
All the way down through the ages of the past, and even to the
present day, floriculture has kept even pace with civilization, culti-
vation and refinement.

And yet there are people to be found occasionally, even in this
enlightened age, who will call all this rubbish, and who have no love
for flowers, and no appreciation of their beauty. I recollect a case
of this kind — two or three years ago, (while attending the yearly
campmeeting at Northport) . A lad}' acquaintance who was as great
a lover of flowers as myself, suggested that we trim our town tent
with wild flowers and vines, to take away the bare, hut-like look of
the building ; while we were arranging the flowers and vines, a
minister from our town sat looking at us for some time quite soberl}',
and at last he said to me : " Do you expect to get to heaven anj
quicker for that, or to see any such rubbish as that there ? "
"Sir," said I, "I could as soon conceive of a heaven without a
God, as a heaven without flowers ! In fact, I consider flowers a
gift of God, and part of heaven itself." He said: "That is
blasphemy." Do you think it was? I do not. Trulv and well has
one of our eminent divines said: "Blessed is he who really loves
flowers ; who loves them for their own sake — for their beaut}', their
associations, the joy the}' have given and alivays loill give ; so that
he would sit down among them as friends and companions, if there
were no one else on eaith to admire and praise them. But such
persons need no blessing of mine. They are blessed of God ! Did
he not make the world for them?"

I said that floriculture had kept even pace with cultivation, civili-
zation and refinement. When Babylon was at the summit of her
glory, her immense hanging gardens, in which all manner of flowers
and fruits were cultivated, were considered so beautiful as to be
named as one of the seven wonders of the then known world.
Where are her gardens to-day? and where are her,people? Verily
they have departed, and faded away together. Rome, when she
" sat on her seven hills, and from her throne of beauty ruled the
world," was almost like Eden in the superabundance of her fruits
and flowers. Her glory has likewise departed.

But we will come down to our own times. Who looks to find
flowers, (except such as nature has sprinkled there), growing about
7

98 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

the wigwam of the Indian, or to find liim sitting under his own vine?
They are of the class, " who, having e^'es, see not; and ears, hear
not." The voiceless lips of the flowers never speak to his soul, to
tell hini the message that their Maker has sent by them to all ; and,
alas ! we too often find persons living in civilized countries, yes,
and even in our own good State, who are just as deaf and blind to
all the beautiful influences of flowers as the untutored Indian. I
suppose there always will be such people in the world, (as it is said
that it takes all kinds to make a world), but be that as it may, we
find that both floriculture and horticulture have taken almost giant
strides in the last half century ; yes, even within the last quarter of
a century. Well and truly has the poet Whittier said :

" I look across the lapse of half a eenturj%
And call to niind old homesteads, wliere no flower
Told that the spring had come, but evil weeds.
Nightshade and rough-leaved burdock in the place
Of the sweet doovvvuj'- greeting of the rose
And honeysuckle, where the house walls seemed
Blistering in the sun, without a tree or vine
To cast the tremulous shadow ot its leaves
Across the curtainless windows from whose panes
Fluttered the signal rags of shiftlessness.''

Man}' of us here can look back over half that length of time and
remember man}' a place, (or homestead rather), in our own towns,
which were then bare and unsightly, but which to-day are surrounded
with beautiful flowers and luxuriant vines, with thrift}-, well-kept
orchards in the background, arbors covered with fruitful grape vines
and currants and other small fruits scattered here and there about
the grounds, all forming a picture very much the reverse of the
poet's above. Homesteads, such as he has too truly delineated, are
to-day exceptions, and these exceptions are found mostly in locali-
ties where refinement and culture have made but slow progress.
And if the persons who are responsible for these exceptional cases
could only be led to see what a great drawback to the beauty of the
rural landscape the barren and desolate aspect of their farm-houses
and out-buildings is, I have no doubt they would exert themselves
to produce a different state of things.

How well I remember the gardens of the village, in Massachusetts,
where I lived forty years ago. It was a place of considerable size,
about twenty-four miles from Boston. There were but two gardens
that one could really call flower gardens. I bad to pass them both

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 99

eveiT da}' in going to and returning from school. How I used to
love to stand and look through the palings at those gardens ; some-
times I would almost forget where I had started to go, in admiring
those flowers. One of the gardens belonged to a widow lady who
lived in her large house alone ; she always seemed unwilling to allow
the scholars the privilege of even looking at her flowers. It was in.
her garden that I first saw petunias ; they were the single white and
magenta colored ; but oh, how lovel}' they looked to me. As for the
other flowers, they were such as one would find in most gardens at
that time — two or three varieties of roses, (red and white and old-
fashioned Provence and Cinnamon), hollyhocks^ gilias, sweet-
williams, marigolds, Spice pinks, London pride, etc. The la.dy
that owned the other garden, (which contained about the same
things, only a greater profusion of roses), was the exact reverse of
the widow. She would fill our hands full of roses in their season,
and it used to seem to me that the more she gave us, the more she
had ; and I believe it is always thus with flowers. It happened a
year or two ago, that I visited the same village, and I could hardh*
find a house without a beautiful flower garden attached ; and there
were also man}- greenhouses, all of which were doing a thriving,
business. I thought to myself, why cannot it be the same in my
own little village at home ? But when I thought it over, I was fain,
to confess that the change had been as great among the people here,,
accoixling to their facilities, as it had been there. I find where there
was but one house in the place (thirty-one j^ears ago, when I came
here) , that could make any pretension at all to a fiower garden,
there is scarcely a house in the village, or for some distance out on
the roads leading from it, but has one now ; and they are also well
kept, and filled not only with the old-fashioned flowers of our
gi'andmotliers' days, but also with the newer varieties. There has
also been a great change in horticulture. But still there are some
persons, (thank heaven they are not man}'), who seem too intent
upon field labor, or upon making money, to have time or inclination
to make their dwellings beautiful, or to give their children a little
plot of ground for a garden. And yet they say: "Why do our
children leave us ?" The great heai't of humanity reaches out after
the beautiful ; if it cannot find it here, it will go yonder to seek it.
How well does the human spider who sits behind the bar of the
gilded saloon know this. Everything that can attract the eye. all
that can allure the sense are here displayed ; and so the young and

IQQ STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

innocent are enticed to enter, and they are lost ; when if tliose very
places had been stripped as bare of every object of beauty as some
farm-houses are, they would have turned awa}' with a shudder of dis-
gust. God has given us this love for the beautiful, and He has also
given us more than enough to satisfy all our longings for it "Beauty is
an all-pervading presence. It unfolds in the numberless flowers of the
spring. It waves in the branches of the trees, and the green blades
of grass." We cannot look anywhere without feeling that we are
encompassed with it ; and it is sad to think there are people living
in the midst of all this beaut^', as blind to it as if instead of this
fair earth, with all its beautiful flowers, and the glorious sky over
all, the\- were tenants of a dungeon. Let us each and all try to in-
stil into the minds and hearts of our children a true and genuine
love for all these beautiful gifts of God, and more et^pecially for
flowers and floriculture. If we have had it starved and choked out
of our natures, let us not follow the same course with our children.
Let us walk with the beautiful !

" I hear thee say, ' The beautiful ! what is it?'
Be sure, 'tis no long, weary road, its form to visit,
For thou canst make it smile beside thy door,
Then love the beautiful.''

RAILROAD GARDENING.
By John Burr, of Freeport.

The improvement in laying out lawns, and decorating the grounds
around the stations with shade trees and flowers, has been for some
years extensiveh" practiced in different parts of Europe, and carried
to such an extent, that, to use tlie expression of a friend. "Some of
the roads there looked like one large flower garden." In our own
country, on the roads running from New York to Philadelphia, they
u'^e an extremely large amount of plants for summer decoration. It
is stated that last year one road alone gave an order for fifty
thousand ])l:vnts to be used for decorating the difffrent parks and
stations ah)ng its line. In New England, the railroads are not to
any consideralile extent, and I might say, not at all beautified with
plants and flowers, except the Maine Central, whicli. running from
Portland to Waterville by two routes, and thence to Wanceboro'
— besides its many branches — has for a few years i)ast decorated
its princii)al stations with flowering and foliage plants, besides lay-

STATE POiMOLOGlCAL SOCIETY. IQl

iug out a large number of parks and lawns which are planted with
shade trees.

I propose, in this paper, to give a brief account of the origin and
extent of the decorations and improvements on the line of the
Maine Central railroad and its branches.

During the years 1879 and '80 the stations on the line of the road
running from Cumberland Junction to Waterville, and its branches,
ver}' man}' of them, were much improved by the laying out of
parks and lawns where the grounds would admit of it. Walnut
Hill, Gray, Danville Junction, Auburn Park, Leeds Station, Mon-
mouth and Winthrop each had improvements made, and in each
case the work was very finely laid out and finished ; so that at each
station the lawn presented a beautiful deep green. In 1880, Maran-
acook was opened up and laid out for a summer resort, and it would
be needless for me to attempt to describe its manj- attractions, as it
has become so familiar to all. On the lower route, Woodford's,
Cumberland Junction, Freeport, Brunswick Park, Riverside, Wins-
low and Fairfield each had their lawn or park as the grounds would
allow. These were either filled up and graded and then turfed with
rich sods, or sown with lawn grass seed, and as they are all kept
sheared, one can easil}' conceive how attractive they are. The
larger parks have been set with trees. Auburn and Brunswick par-
ticularly having each a fine lot of thrifty trees, that in a few years will
be very ornamental, not only to the road but the city and village. The
grounds at Waterville are set with trees, but they are so extensive,
and 1 believe a portion l^elong to the colleges there, that they are
not enclosed, but are verj' fine.

This work has been done, on the back route, under the direction
and supervision of Mr. Geo. Wagg, and on the lower route by Mr.
Geo. Nevens, both gentlemen of ver}' fine taste. Besides these
there has been very much done from AYaterville to Bangor, and
since the Maine Central has taken control of the European & North
American Line, the same beautifying of stations has been com-
menced there.

The New^ York Grajihic, of June 29, 1883, speaking of the
amount of plants, &c., used on the different roads, says : " Now
the General Manager of the Maine Central railroad takes as naturally
to this method as a part of his management as a duck takes to
water, but it is not applied the same wa}'. No prizes are oflJered
upon the Maine Central for the care and ornamentation of the depot

102 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

grounds and tracks, because it is believed that the practice is unfair,
it being manifestly' the case that in some situations these grounds
will present a pleasing and satisfactory appearance, even though the
minimum of attention and labor is bestowed upon them, while others
can hardh' be beautiful though the keeper should tear his hair in
anxiet}' over the matter — besides, the thing should be done upon
principle, as a matter of dut^' and as a part of good system in carr}'-
ing forward the interests of the road."

Up to the year 1881 much had been done in setting shrubs and
trees along the line ; parks had been laid out and depot grounds
graded. In the spring of 1881, Mr. Tucker, as General Manager,
conceived the idea of beautifying the stations with flowers, and as
Freeport was a station which seemed well fitted for the work, a
portion of the grounds, about one hundred feet long and twenty-
four feet wide, was prepared and beds laid out. In the center of
the garden the name of the station was worked in colors, so that a
person riding on the cars could easily read the words "Freeport."
The plants used were those that would bloom most freelj' through
the summer months, so that by the middle of Juh' there was a fine
show of flowers. The result of the experiment was very satisfactory,
and in the spring of 1882 Mr. Tucker decided to decorate the prin-
cipal stations along the line of the road, where the grounds would
admit of it. As a result, Danville Junction, Auburn, Leeds Sta-
tion and Winthrop, on the back route, and Woodford's, Freeport,
Brunswick and Waterville, on the lower road, were improved as
principal places, while there were quite a number of stations that
had a small circle or bed of plants to break up the plain green of
their lawns, making a tine contrast. This 3ear was also a success,
the majority or nearly- every one doing very nicely. The spring of
1883 was the same as the spring of 1882, onh- more stations were
supplied with plants and some changes were made in the arrange-
ments of the beds, the results being satisfactory. So that now the
decorating of the road has become so familiar to the travelling pub-
lic that one will read with pleasure the reports given by the summer
tourists from all pai'ts of our country.

While giving praise to each and all who have had the care, to a
gi'eater or less extent, of the grounds as laid out and planted, I feel
that I ought to mention the gardens at Crowley's Junction, Leeds
Station and Winthrop, which were unusuallv fine, particularly those
at Crowley's and Leeds. These were under the supervision of Mrs.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. J 03

Knowles at Crowley's and Miss Ham at Leeds, both ladies of veiy
fine tastes, and quite amateur florists. Besides the summer gardens
at these stations, they have large windows which are, during the
winter months more particularlj', filled with flowering and foliage
plants ; and one will have to look a long time to find prettier win-
dows or better kept plants than found here. There are many other
stations at which the operators or station agents make a ver}' fine
show of plants in their windows during the winter, but none who
have so good facilities as the two named.

When the work of decorating the diflferent stations was com-
menced, those who had the care of it felt a little fear that the
diflferent people having charge of the plants would not care for them
through the summer, but it gives me great pleasure to sa}' that with
hardly an exception all have joined in trying to get the best results ;
and at quite a number of stations where, during the hot dr}' days of
summer, the plants had to be watered, the station agent would see
that this was done each day, so that failure in a single instance has
not occurred ; and to-day the different station agents look forward
to their flowers and gardens With the same feelings and anticipations
that the ladies do to their private gardens at home.

Now the good results arising from the system of railroad garden-
ing can hardly be enumerated. It extends far beyond the mere
planting of beautiful flowers along the line ; it has the effect to
bring up the grounds of each station to that standard of neatness
for which the road is justly credited, and it also is an example for
each village and city through which the road passes, that they could
follow with profit. Very many are seeing the good eflfects, and you
will read of village improvement societies being formed in many
places. Wherever the work has commenced 3'ou will readily see the
good effects in the trees being trimmed, unsightly banks graded,
flowering shrubs planted, and beds of plants set out. It also ele-
vates and stimulates individuals to the improvement of private
grounds, and the result will be, that people who never thought to
set a tree or shrub, or purchase a plant for summer decoration, will
now commence to beautify their own homes, and bj' so doing not
only add to the beauty, but to the attractions of home. The sys-
tem of railroad gardening is 3'et in its infancy'. It will be but a
few years before all roads which aspire to having everything at-
tractive and pleasing to the travelling public will follow the lead of
the Maine Central, which in this, as in other improvements, has

104 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

always been a pioneer ; and we will see the stations all over our
New England as tastily arranged, and as neatl}' kept as a gentle-
man's grounds.

I have often heard the question asked: "Of what use is this
work ?" I think I have fully explained some, but not nearly all, the
good arising from it ; and I believe there is no one thing that has
been done by the persons having the care of the Maine Central
railroad that will do so much to elevate and improve the pub-
lic mind, as the beautifying of the road with shrubs, trees and
flowers.

This report has alreadj' reached the length originally assigned to it, and
there are some matters of particular interest which cannot proper]}^ be
omitted. It is therefore necessarj'^ to omit the remaining papers read at
the winter meeting.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON EXHIBITION OF FRUITS AT
THE WINTER MEETING.

The committee appointed to examine the exhibition of fruit are
pleased to say that although the past has been called an off year,
still, an examination of tables loaded with more than two hundred
plates of apples and six of pears, from different parts of the State,
shows that Maine is progressing in this most lucrative and pleasant
calling, and we trust that in this respect she will be true to her
motto, " Dirigo," and will ere long be celebrated in the markets of
the Avorld for her long-keeping, fine-grained, melting, juicy and
excellent flavored winter apples.

The exhibitors, with the number of varieties exhibited by each, are
as follows :

0. C. Nelson,

New Gloucester,

12 plates.

H. 8. Gary,

Topsham,

12 "

E. A. Lapham,

Pittston,

14 "

T. M. Merrill,

New Gloucester,

4 "

L. H. Blossom,

Turner,

7

Jas. M. Carpenter,

Pittston,

14 ''

D. J. Briggs,

Turner,

11 "

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 105

S. R. Sweetser, Cumberland, 18 plates.

W. P. Atherton, Hallowell, 27 "

W. H. Pearson, Vassalboro', 1 "

Mrs. D. Smiley, '' 2 "

Chas. Osborne, " 2 "

J. W. Starkey, " 1 "

J. R. Smiley, " 1 "

R. H. Gardiner, Gardiner, 5 "

W. R. Wbarff, " 15 "

G. K. Staples, Temple, 14 "

D. W. Merrill, New Gloucester, 2 plates and limb.

C. H. Page, 1 plate.

J. C. Dudley, Readfield, 13 ' "

C. J. Gilman Brunswick, 2 "
J. Pope & Son, Manchester, 2 "
Frederick Wright, Bath, 6 "
G. B. Sawyer, Wiscasset, 12 "

Among the particularly nice plates were the Hubbardstons of O.
C. Nelson ; King of Tompkins County of D. J. Briggs ; Baldwins
and Gilliflowers of S. R. Sweetser; Baldwins of Mrs. D. Smiley;
Bellflower of W. R. Wharff; Bellflower of R. H. Gardiner; D. W.
Merrill, limb of Hublmrdston was very nice ; Baldwin by J. Colby
Dudley ; Starkey and English Sweet by G. B. Sawyer.

The general exhibition of O. C. Nelson was deemed the best, and
G. K. Staples, second best.

The pears exhibited were as follows :

D. P. True, Leeds, 3 varieties.
Henr}^ Ingalls, Wiscasset, 1 ''

L. K. Litchfield, Winthrop, 1

C. H. Page, 1

Mrs. A. B. Strattard of Monroe ; Mrs. M. E. Thomas of Rock-
land, and Mrs. B. A. Townseud of Freeport, exhibited bouquets
and cut flowers. Mrs. Townseud also exhibited pot plants which
added much to the exhibition.

Grafting wax was exhibited by D. Blake & Co. of Mount Vernon.

RuFus Prince, | Committee

AiRus K. Hammond, j

106 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

m MEJVIORIAIVI.

iiMi.ijiP'.H<i£M!<iijia^^.iiiaj-<ji<iMii..a^i.i]iiuii»t!u.»«— r—

The following notices of deceased life members have been con-
tributed by friends or compiled from miscellaneous sources :

George Jewett was born in Portland, Ma}' 8, 1795. AVhen at the
age of about one year his father died and his training and education
devolved on his mother. He was graduated from Harvard College
in 1816 and adopted the profession of law, which he practiced for a
few 3'ears at Bowdoinham in this State. Not finding this occupa-
tion congenial, he abandoned it and returned to Portland and en-
gaged in mercantile pursuits, being associated Math Major Hinckley
and doing business at Long Wharf, and after a few years retired to
private life. He represented the town of Bowdoinham* in the Legis-
lature of 1829.

Mr. Jewett became a member of this Society at its organization,
and attended its meetings whenever his health would permit, taking
a great interest in all horticultural subjects. He was never married.
He died at Portland, April 17. 1883, being then nearly 88 j-ears of
age.

Albert Emerson was born in Durham, N. H., June 29, 1810.
He came to Bangor in his youth, but soon went to New York City,
where he remained about twelve 3'ears. He then returned to Ban-
gor and lived there continuously until the day of his death, Decem-
ber 2, 1883, which was also the forty-second anniversary of his
wedding. His life was a very busy one, and he retained his active
habits until a few weeks before his death, though a victim for many
3-ears to debilitating disease. One of his principal pleasures was
the superintendence of his large garden, which was full of the
choicest fruits and flowers. The care of this garden was always a
pleasure to him, even when his physical strength was not equal to it.
He delighted in distributing the products of his skill among those
who, from lack of knowledge or means were not so highl}' favored.
No little Irish bo3' who ever looked wistfulh^ and respectfully at his
apples ever went away empty handed. He did much towards improv-
ing the qualit}^ of fruit in his city b3' his intelHgent culture of the
choicest varieties. Your Societ}' has never had a more enthusiastic
devotee on its rolls, I am ver3' sure. One of his last acts was to

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 107

Stand at his window and watch the pruning of his trees by another
hand, when his own strength had failed. There are no starthng
facts in his life that I can give you. He loved his family and his
home, and strove to make all his friends happy ; a thorough gentle-
man of the old school.

Joseph M. Richardson of Greene, died at his home in that
town, May 18, 1883, aged 73 years, "^lacking a few days. He was
an extensive and eminently successful orchardist, and a highly re-
spected citizen,

Hon. Isaiah Stetson was born in Hampden, February 6, 1812.
He removed to Bangor in 1833, where he engaged in general mercan-
tile business in company with Cyrus Emery, under the firm name of
Emery and Stetson. In 1835 hi§ ])rother George was admitted and
business conducted under the name of Stetson & Co. till the ill
health of Mr. Emery caused him to withdraw in 1850, leaving the
remaining partners under the same firm name until the death of
Isaiah, which occurred June 30, 1880. He was mayor of Bangor
for the four years 1861-G2-63-64, and was a member of this Society
from its organization.

William C, Crosby was born in Dover, N. H., December 2,
1806, and died at Bangor, February 21, 1880. His early education
was obtained in Dover, N, H., and at the Gardiner Lyceum, but
was supplemented by extensive and judicious reading. In the
spring of 1822, he went with his father to Atkinson, Piscataquis
county, Maine, and settled on a farm in the then wilderness. He
remained there with his father until the latter part of May, 1828,
when he removed to Bangor and opened a store. In 1830, he
entered into a co-partnership with Higgins Hill, of Bangor, under
the firm name of W. C. Crosby & Company. This partnership was
dissolved in October, 1833, but Mr. Crosby remained in trade for
about two years longer. In 1835 he removed with his family to
Atkinson, where he remained till the spring of 1845,

During the first portion of this period he was connected with his
father in the management of the extensive farms and other business
of the latter, but later, he had a farm and business of his own, dis-
tinct from that of his father. During the latter portion of the time
of his residence in Atkinson he studied law, and was admitted to
the bar in Piscataquis county in 1845. In 1845 he retui-ned to
Bangor and entered into a co-i)artnership with Daniel T. Jewctt m
the practice of law, under the firm name of Jewett & Crosby. This
firm was dissolved in the autumn of 1850.

108 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

During the latter part of his life he became interested in timber
lands in Maine and invested a large share of his means in them.
He was always interested in gardening and horticulture, at both of
which he was very successful.

He was a member of the Common Council of Bangor for the
years 1852 and 1853, and of the Board of Aldermen for the years
1870, 1871, 1872 and 1874.

In religion he was a liberal Unitarian. In politics, originall}- a
Whig, afterwards a Republican.

Mason J. Metcalf of Monmouth, died in that town June 23,
1883, aged 76 3ears. His familj' was of Massachusetts origin, and
in his youth he experienced the vicissitudes which appear to have
been a heritage of the period. While yet a boy his father removed
to Ohio, spending several j^ears in what was tlien considered a far-
off wilderness. The mutations of life, however, brought him again
to the East, and he settled in the town of Litclifield, Mass. The
subject of this notice meantime had grown to manhood's estate,
already having given promise of a future of activity and usefulness.
Attaining his majority, he became a resident of Monmouth, which
town, notwithstanding several years spent in Boston, where he was
engaged at intervals in active business, he ever "considered as his
home. He was possessed of a remarkabh- fine mental as well as of
a most robust plwsical organization, and was the originator of sev-
eral valuable mechanical ideas, among them a certain method of
building fences that has become of great utility, particularly in the
West, and he was the first to manufacture letter stencils by the use
of dies. In later years his inclinations led him to seek the retire-
ment of his country home, where he had acquired valuable mill
properties, to which he devoted much attention. His busy tenden-
cies made him a marked man locally, and he was particularh' active
in matters pertaining to the educational, moral and religious welfare
of the communit}'. He was an early promoter and for years the
most generous contributor to the support of the Congregational
church in Monmouth. In politics he was a pronounced Republican
and an influential local factor, distinguished for an inflexible adher-
ence to what he believed to be right. He was a member of the State
Legislature in 18G9, and repeatedly was called b}- his fellow towns-
men to positions of trust and responsibility.

Dr. Eliphalet Clark died at Woodford's, near Portland, June
8, 1883, after a protracted illness. He was born in Strong, May
12, 1801, and was 82 years of age at the time of his decease. His

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. ^09

father was a farmer, one of the first settlers of that village. Eli-
phalet was educated at Farmington Academy and graduated at the
Medical School, Bowdoin College, in 1824. He then studied
with Dr. Thomas Little, a verj- eminent surgeon at New Gloucester,
and also with Dr. J. L. Blake at Phillips. He practiced in "VVilton
successfully for five 3-ears, and removed to Portland in 1830. About
1845 he became interested in homoeopathy and became a practitioner
of that school, the pioneer of Maine. To his profession he was
devoted, and, although often urged to accept political office, es-
pecially to become a candidate for mayor of the city, he positively
declined. He accumulated a large property in his profession, and,
a few years ago, took up his residence at Pleasant street. Wood-
ford's.

Dr. Clark early became identified with Methodism, and the denom-
ination in this State owes a great deal to his encouragement and
su[)port. He became a member at eighteen years of age, and was
a leader later in life. He was the oldest trustee of the Maine Wes-
leyan Seminary- and Female College, and not only gave it liberal
donations during his life, but has remembered it in his will. All
three of the Portland Methodist churches have been assisted freely
b}' him, and he was, while in Portland, a member of the Chestnut
Street society. He also to a great extent contributed to the erection
of the new Methodist church at Woodford's.

Dr. Clark was no ordinary man ; he was a born leader and in-
herited the stern and noble qualities of a heroic Puritan ancestry.
After removing to Portland, he almost immediately built up for him-
self a large and lucrative practice both as a surgeon and physician,
which he held during his long life, until the infirmities of age and
disease obliged him to retire.

In all his social relations Dr. Clark was a model Christian gentle-
man. Gentle, kind and sympathetic, he drew around him a world
of friends — commanding the profound respect of all with whom he
associated. His home and family ciix-Ie was a model of domestic
happiness, nearer a type of heaven than earth. Dr. Clark's last
sickness was long and painful, but through all his sufferings his re-
ligion triumphed. As he approached his end on earth, with iiis mind
perfectly clear and rational, many of his dying words uttered to his
friends had the clear ring of the heavenly land. His final exit was
the triumphal departure of a Christian hero to the rich rewtirds of
the blest. " He was not, for God took him."

INDEX.

PAGE.

Address of welcome and reply 24

President 27

Apples, gathering 31

growing for profit 48

anal\'sis of 92

size of barrels for 68

varieties discussed 30, 35, 51, 53, 71

Baldwins, profitableness of 4G

Uubbardston Nonsuch, origin of 78

Wagoner 72

Apple maggot 43, 61

trees, enemies of 30, 37, 41

Ashes, value of 50, 94

Atherton, W. P., remarks by 63, 65

Atkins, Charles G., paper by 54

Barrels for apples, sizo of .. .. 68

Blossom, L. H., remarks by 63

Briggs, D. J., paper by 48

Burr, John, paper by 100

Chamberlain, Calvin, paper by 74

Clark, Eliphalet, obituary notice 108

Codling moth, studies on 54

Committees, 1884 vi

Crosby, William C, obituary notice 107

Discussion on orcharding Hi

Emerson, Albert, obituaiy notice 106

Exhibition, eleventh annual 4

Premiums:

on apples 4

pears 10

grapes 12

plums 13

miscellaneous articles 14

flowers 14

INDEX. Ill

PAGE.

Exhibition, International, at New Orleans 23

at winter meeting, report on 104

Experience in orcliarding and its lessons '. 32

fertilizers for orchards 37, 49, 94

Floriculture, essay on 96

Franklin county, orcharding in 45

Fruit, cultivation of 40

Fruit-growing in Piscataquis county 52, 74

Fruit, storage of 68

Fruits and plants, the sweet principle of 84

new, committee on 74

Gardiner, R. H., address by 27

Gilbert, Z. A., remarks by 25, 61, 74

Gilman, C. J , remarks by 64

Grapes, early, for the north 81

Grafting 51

Hubbardston Nonsuch, origin of 78

Insects, discussion on 61, 66

Jewett, George, obituary notice 100

Leland, H. L., paper by 52

S. K., paper by 45

McLellan, T. S., paper by 40

Members, annual, 1883 viii

life vii

Metcalf, M. J., obituary notice 108

Nichols, Dr. .1. R., paper by 84

Nursery business, the 38

Obituary notices 23, 106

OflBcers, 1883 iv

1884 V, 21

Orcharding, papers on 27, 32, 45, 52, 74

Orchards, exposure of 44

fertilizers for 37, 49, 94

planting of 36, 49, 07

pruning 60

Papers read at winter meeting 18, 22

Pear culture, notes on 79

Piscataquis county, fruit-growing in 52, 74

Pomological notes and reminiscences 74

Premiums at annual exhibition 4

Prince, Rufus, paper by 32

Railroad gardening 100

Richardson, Joseph M., obituary notice 107

Robinson, H. A., paper by 81

112

INDEX.

PAGE.

Smith, Henry S., resolutions offered by 66

Soil, preparation of for orchards 48

Stetson, Isaiah, obituary notice 107

Strattard, Mrs. A, B., paper by.. 96

Sweet principle of fruits and plants 84

Tenney, A. G., address by 24

Thomas, J. J., paper by 38

Treasurer's report 19

Tree vending 39

Trees, western '1

True, D. P., paper by ''9

Winter meeting, exhibition at 104

proceedings of 17> 24

TRANSACTIONS

OF THE

Maine State Pomologieal Societ.y,

FOR THE YEAR

1884

Including the Proceedings of the Winter Meeting held at Gardiner,
February '24 and 25, 1885. •

AUGUSTA:

KENNEBEC JOURNAL BOOK PRINT,

1885.

Committees for the Year 1885.

ON NEW FRUITS.

W. p. ATHERTON, Hallowell.
S. L. BOARDMAN, Augusta.
Miss ALICE FOSTER, Gardiner.

ON NOMKNCLATURE.

GEO. B. SAWYER, Wiscasset.
Z. A. GILBERT, North Greene.
D. J. BRIGGS, South Turner.

CONTEXTS.

List of Officers for 1884 2

" 1885 3

List of Members 4

Secretary's Report 6

Entries and Premiums at Annual Exhibition 10

Proceedings of Winter Meeting 24

Address of Welcome and Reply 24, 25

President's Address 26

Fruit Culture in Maine, by J. W. Lang 30

Discussion on the Same 36

Poem, by J. M. l.arrabee 43

The Nursery Business in Maine, by W. P. Atherton 45

Discussion on the Same 53

Treasurer's Report for 1884 57

Election of Officers for 1885 58

Report on Exhibition of Fruit at New Orleans 59

Combatting the Round-Headed Borer, bj' C. G. Atkins G3

Defects in Orchard Management, by L. H. Blossom 68

Report of Committee on President's Address 70

' " " - New Fruits 71

" " Exhibition at Winter Meeting 72

Extracts from Letters received at Winter Meeting 77

Discussion of Varieties of Apples 78

" on Evaporation of Fruits, ic 84

Obituary Notices 90

Inaex 97

To the Secretary of the Maine Board of Agriculture:

I present herewith the Twelfth Annual Report of the transactions
of the Maine State Pomologieal Society, being for the yc^x ending
December 31, 1884, but embracing the proceedings of the Winter
Meeting, held, by adjournment, February 24th and 25th, 1885.
With respect to the latter, which forms the larger and most valuable
part of this report, it is i^roper to sa}" that the theories and opinions
expressed in the papers and discussions are to be regarded as the
individual expressions of the writers and speakers, and the SocietN'
is only responsible for the accuracy and impartiality of the report.

G. B. SAWYER, Secretary.

Maine State Pomological Society.

OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1884.

PresWeHi— CHARLES S. POPE, Manchester.

Vice Presidents—^. C. HARLOW, Bangor.

S. R. SWEETSER, Cumberland.

Secretary and Treasurer— G'EO . B. SAWYER, Wiscasset.

Execntive Committee — Tlie President and Secretarj^, ex-officio ; Andrew
S. Sawyer, Cape Elizabeth; Leaiider H. Blossom, Turner; Frank E.
Kowell, Fairfield.

2Vms<ccs— Androscoggin County, X. W. Harris. Auburn.

Aroostook " E. E. Parkhurst, Maysville Centre.

Cumberland " Francis C. Jordan, Brunswick.

Franklin " G. K. Staples, Temple.

Hancock '' Charles G. Atkins, Bucksport.

Kennebec " Richard C. Plaisted, Gardiner.

Knox *•' El mas Hoffses, Warren.

Lincoln " H. J. A. Simmons, Waldoboro'.

Oxford " Jairus K. Hammond, Paris.

Penobscot *•' J. E. Bennoch, Orono.

Piscataquis " Henry A. Robinson, Foxcroft.

Sagadahoc "• Henry S. Gary, Topsham.

Somerset " Jan)es S. Hoxie, Nortli Faiitield.

Waldo " D. B. Johnson, Freedom.

"Washington " Nelson S. Allen, Dennysville.

York "■ Randall Bootliby, Limerick.

COMMITTEES.

ON NEW FULITS.

^V. p. ATHERTON, Hallowell.
S. L. BOARDMAN, Augusta.

ON INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION AT NEAV ORLEANS.

S. L. BOARDMAX, Augusta.
RUFUS PRINCE, Turner.
CHARLES S. POPE, Manchester.

Officers for the Year 1885.

President— CHaRL'ES S. POPE, Manchester.

Vice Presidents— S. E. SWEETSER, Cumberland Centre.
HENRY Mclaughlin, Bangor.

tSecretai^—G^O. B. SAWYER, Wiscasset.
[Resigned.]

SAMUEL L. BOARDMAX, Augusta.

[Appointed May 29, 1885.]

Treasurer— Gl^O. B. SAWYER, TV^iscasset.

Executive Committee — The President and Secretary, e5;-o^Cio ; Andrew S.
Sawyer, Cape Elizabeth • Leander H. Blossom, Turner; William P. Ather-
ton, Hallowell.

Trustees — Androscoggin County,

Aroostook "

Cumberland "

Franklin '■'

Hancock "

Kennebec "

Knox "

Lincoln "

Oxford "

Penobscot "

Piscataquis "

Sagadahoc "

Somerset "

Waldo "

' "Washington "

York "

D. J. Briggs, South Turner.

E. E. Parkhurst, Maysville.
Otis C. Nelson, New Gloucester.
G. K. Staples, Temple.
Charles G. Atkins, Bucksport.
Richard C. Plaisted, Gardiner.
Elmas Hoffses, Warren.

H. J. A. Simmons, Waldoboro'.
Jairns K. Hammond, Paris.
J. E. Bennoch, Orono.
H. A. Robinson, Foxcroft.
H. S. Cary, Topsham.
James S. Hoxie, North Fairfield.
D. B. Johnson, Freedom.
Nelson S. Allen, Dennysville.
Luther S. Moore, Limerick.

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.

Note — Any errors or changes of residence should bo promptly reported to the
Secretary. Members will also confer a favor by furnishing the Secretary with their
full Christian numes where initials only are given.

LIFE MEMBERS.

Andrews, A. Emery Gardiner

*Atheiton, H. N Hallowell

Atherton, W. P

Atkins, Charles G Bucksport

Atwood, Fred Wiuterport

Bennoch, John E Urono

Briggs, D J South Turner

Burr, John Freeport

Carter, Otis L Etna

Chase, Henry M North Yarmouth

Chase, Martin V. B Augusta

*Clark, Eliphalet Portland

Crafts, Moses Auburn

*Crosby, William C Bangor

Dana, Woodbury S Portland

DeRocher, Peter Waterville

Dirwanger, Joseph A Portland

Dunham, W. W North Paris

Dyer, Milton Cape Elizabeth

*Emerson, Albert Bangor

Farnsworth, B. B Portland

Frost, Oscar F Monmouth

Gardiner, Robert H.... Gardiner

Gilbert, Z. A North Greene

♦Godfrey, John E Bangor

Hanscom, John Saco

Harlow, S. C Bangor

•Harris, N. C Auburn

Harris, N. W "

Harris, William M "

Hersey, T. C Portland

Hopkins, Miss S. M Gardiner

Hoxie, James S North Fairfield

Ingalls, Henry Wiscasset

*Jowett, George Portland

Johnson, Isaac A Auburn

Jordan, Francis C Brunswick

Low, Elijah Bangor

Low, S. S "

McLaughlin, Henry "

*Metcalf, M. J Monmouth

Mooro, William G "

Moor, F. A Watorvillo

Morton, J. A Bethel

Morton, William E Portland

*Noyes, Albert Bangor

Perley, Chas. I.. ..Seward's (Vassalboro')

Pope, Charles S Mancheste j

Pulsifer, D, W Poland

*Kichards, F. G Gardiner

Richards, John T "

*Richardson, J. M "

Roak, George M Auburn

Robinson, Henry A Foxcroft

Rolfe, Samuel Portland

Sawyer, Andrew S . . . . Cape Elizabeth

Sawyer, George B Wiscasset

Shaw, Stillman W Minot

Simmons, H. J. A Waldoboro»

*Smith, Alfred Monmouth

Smith, Henry S "

Starrett, L. F Warren

*Stetson, Isaiah Bangor

Stilphen, Asbury C Gardiner

Stanley, Charles Winthrop

Strout, S. F West Falmouth

Strattard, Mrs. A. B Monroe

Sweetser, S. R Cumberland Centre

*Taylor, Joseph Belgrade

Thomas, William W., Jr Portland

* Deceased.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

LIFE MEMBERS— Concluded.

Tilton, William S Chelsea

True, Davis P Leeds Center

Varney, James A Oregon

Vickery , James Portland

Vickery, John Auburn

* Deceased.

Wade, Patrick Portland

*Wcston, James C Bangor

AVharff, Charles S Gardiner

Whitney, Edward K Harrison

Woodman, George W Portland

ANNUAL MEMBERS— 1884.

Allen, B.E North Greene

Baker, John C Lowiston

Blossom, Leander II Turner Centre

Blossom, G. W Turner

Boardmau, Samuel L Augusta

Carpenter, James M Pittston

Gary, Henry S Topsham

Chipman, A. B West Gloucester

Dunton, John Lewiston

Emerson, Ivory W "

Fulton, James M Bowdoinham

George, Charles H Hebron

Gilman, Charles J Brunswick

Hammond, Jairus K Paris

Ham, Nelson Lewiston

Hoffses, Elmas Warren

Johnson, Henry Turner

Jordan, Alice M , Miss Auburn

Kenniston, E. H Simpson's Corner

Ladd, John Starks

Lapham, E. A Pittston

Leach, H. T East Monmouth

Litchfield, L. K Winthrop

Merrill, T. M West Gloucester

Mitchell, Israel Lewiston

Nelson, 0. C Upper Gloucester

Nowoll, Frank E Fairfield

Peacock, J. R Gardiner

Perkins, L. J Deering

Pierce, Mrs. A. C Lewiston

Powers, L. R Georgetown

Prince, Rufus South Turner

Staples, G. K Temple

Towle, J.J Dixfield

AVakefieid, Isaiah Greene

Wbarff, William R Gardiner

Whitmore, Thomas P Bowdoinham

Maine State Pomological Society.

TKANriACTIONS FOR 1884.

The general outline of the Societ^-'s proceedings in the year 1884
was much like that of former years. The annual exhibition was
held at Lewiston, September 23(1 to 2Gth, inclusive, in connection
with the fair of tiie State Agricultural Society. The annual meet-
ing was convened at tlie City Building, in Lewiston, September 25th,
pursuant to notice given, but was adjourned to the time and place
of the Winter Meeting.

The Winter JMeeting was held at Gardiner, February 24th and
25th, 1885, independently of any other organization.

The fruit crop of 1884 was undoubtedly the largest ever grown
in the State. The season was exceptionally favorable. Notwith-
standing the immense production, the crop was a profitable one.
There was a steady demand for standard varieties of winter apples
for shipment, at remunerative prices. But the autumn apples and
miscellaneous kinds of winter fruit were in excess of the demand.
The great lesson of the past year is that the profits of the business
of orcharding lie in the cultivation of but few varieties, and those
such as are known and approved in the markets — well grown, care-
fully handled and faithfully packed,

THE ANNUAL EXHIBITION
embraced the different classes of fruit, flowers, and some miscella-
neous articles, substantially as in former years, and as will more
fully appear by the list of premiums offered and awarded. The
number of entries was 1183, being a little above the average. The
premiums awarded amounted to §634, 00, all of wiiich has been
paid. All the classes of fruit were well represented in the enti-ies,
the apples being far in excess of all the otliers combined. The

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Ml O

great abundance and excellent qualit}' of the apple crop of the ^If^rj c
a marked improvement in the art and methods of exhibition, Inct ^
increased care in the selection of specimens, made the displa3'\o£
apples both attractive and instructive. For the first time, a com-
plete classification was effected of the varieties exhibited as single,
dishes, and these were marked b}- placards bearing the names of the
varieties in conspicuous letters.

The general collections of apples were so extensive as to be
actually burdensome, embracing about 2500 plates. It seems to be
necessary that hereafter these collections should be limited to some
reasonable number of varieties. In the earlier exhibitions of the
Societ}' it was thought necessar}- to encourage these exteusive col-
lections for the sake of the shoio ; but now the reverse is true, and
the}' must be restricted in order to bring the exhibition within the
limits of the space allotted. The Society has long ago set the seal
of its disapproval on the indiscriminate multiplication of varieties,
and for this reason, also, the privilege of exhibition should be
limited. A person may raise, as a matter of study and experiment,
as man}- varieties as he can find room for, or time and patience to
provide labels and receptacles for, but his stud}' and experimenting
will have been of little avail i( he cannot select twent}' or thirty
kinds better than all the rest.

GENERAL RULES OF THE EXHIBITION.

1. The general regulations of the Joint Exhibition will govern this
department, as far as applicable thereto, and except as herein other-
wise provided.

2. Entries may be made at the office of the Secretary, in Wiscas-
set, personally or by letter, until September 19th, and after that at
the Park, on the first day of the exhibition, until 4 o'clock P. M.

3. Exhibitors are requested to present full and accurate lists of
the varieties of fruit or other articles to be entered ; and to specify
the premium for which each article is entered ; also to affix their
names and P. O. addresses, so that the same ma}- be correct!}' trans-
ferred to the books and exhibition cards.

1^^ Persons intending to make entries will confer a special favor
by sending lists of the same to the Secretary at an early day.

4. All fruits and flowers offered for premiums must have been
grown by the exhibitor ; and any violation of this rule will debar or
forfeit the premium. Specimens offered for exhibition only, by others

8 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

than the growers, must in all cases have the name of the grower
affixed, if known.

5. All fruits and flowers exhibited must, as far as possible, be cor-
rectly named according to the standard nomenclature adopted by
the Societjs and it will be the dut}- of the standing committee of
the Society to examine labels and correct all errors in nomenclature
during the exhibition.

6. Where a certain number of specimens or varieties, or a definite
quantity of any article, is required by the schedule, exhibitors should
conform to such requirement ; and larger quantities will not be ad-
mitted except by special arrangement with the P'xecutive Committee,
having reference to econom.y of space and the symmetry of the ex-
hibition.

7. Dishes and labels for the exhibition of fruits, and phials and
stands for cut flowers, will l)e furnished by the Society', and no
others will be admissible. No premium will be paid on any article
which is accompanied by an advertisement or business card.

8. Exhibitors must see to the deliver}- of their contributions, and
will be required to put them in the x>laces designated for the m. After
the articles are arranged they will be under the exclusive charge of
the Society-, and the owners will not have libert}- to remove them
until the exhibition is closed. All reasonable precautions will be
taken for the safe keeping of articles on exhibition, after their arrival
and arrangement upon the tables ; but the Society will not be respon-
sible for any loss or damage that may occur.

9. No premium will be awarded merely for want of competition,
nor unless the article exhibited is worthy of it ; and the committees
are authorized to withhold the first and award the second or any
subsequent premium, or none, at their discretion, according to
merit. They are also to withhold all premiums from any articles not
exhibited according to the rules, or where any unfair practice has
been attempted by the exhibitor.

10. The committees are authorized to recommend gratuities for
any new or rare fruits, flowers, plants, or articles of merit for which
no premiums have been offered.

11. When a specimen is presented for identification, the exhibitor
shall communicate all the information he possesses as to the origin
and the local appellation.

12. No member of anj' of the committees for awarding premiums
shall, in any case, vote or decide respecting«an award for which such

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 9

member may be a competitor, or therein have an interest ; but in
such case such member shall temporaril}- vacate his place upon the
committee.

13. All premiums awarded will be payable by the Treasurer in
sixty days after the close of the exhibition, subject, however, to the
folloiDlng conditions and limitations, viz :

1st — The Society guarantees to pay premiums and gratuities to
the amount of $500, but reserves the right, if more than that amount
is awarded, to make such a pro rata reduction as will reduce the
whole amount payable to that sum.

2d — All premiums not applied for before the first day of January
next shall revert to the Society.

3d — The Society's premiums are open for competition to all per-
sons residing in the State ; but when premiums and gratuities ex-
ceeding $1.00 and less than $20.00 are awarded to a person not a
member of the Society, the fee for membership will be deducted
therefrom ; and when premiums and gratuities amounting to $20.00
or more are awarded to any person not a life member of the Societ}-,
the fee for life membership will be deducted therefrom ; and in either
case certificates of membership will be issued accordingly.

LIST OF PREMIUMS OFFERED AND AWARDED.

Class I— APPLES.

FIRST DIVISION.

Special Regulations. "Entries for all premiums in this division
must consist of ?iVQ specimens of each variety exhil)ited, and (except
Nos. 18 and 19) of at least twenty correctly named varieties. En-
tries for premiums Nos. IS and 19 must he separate and distinct
collections, not embracing any othfr collection or specimens, and in
awarding the premiums regard will be had both to the qualit}' of the
specimens and the value of the varieties exhibited.

" By ' named varieties' is meant such as are named and described
in some standard work on Pomology, or have been named and ap-
proved by some National or .State Horticultural Societ}'.

^ In adopting 20 as the number of varieties required in these col-
lections (1 to 17), the Societ}' does not intend to encourage the mul-
tiplication of varieties ; and the committee will be instructed, in
awarding the premiums, to have regard to quality and vahie rather
than to the number of varieties, and will be authorized to recommend
gratuities for meritorious collections embracing less than the number
of varieties required as above."

Collections entered in this division for the county premiums were
allowed to be entered for the general competition under premium
No. 1 ; but it was provided that no more than one premium should
be awai'ded to any collection.

The number of entries in this division was 105, and the amount
of^premiums awarded was $257.50, as follows:

Premium No. 1. For the best general exhibition of apples grown
hy the exhibitor in any part of the State. Miss L. L. Taylor, Lake-
side (Belgrade), first premium, $15; Perley tt Perkins, Seward's
( Vassalboro') , second premium, $10 ; John Dunton, Lcwiston, third
premium, $5.

STATE P03I0L0GICAL SOCIETY. 11

2. For the best general exhibition of apples grown b\- the ex-
hibitor, in Androscoggin Count}'. L. H. Blossom, Turner Centre,
$10 ; D. J. Briggs, South Turner, $8 ; G. W. Blossom, Turner, $5.

3. For the same in Aroostook County. No entr\-.

4. For the same in Cumberland Count}-. 8. R. Sweetser, Cum-
berland Centre, $10; Milton Dyer, Cape P:iizabeth, $8; T. M.
Merrill, West Gloucester, $5.

5. For the same in Franklin County. G. K. Staples, Temple, $10.
[2d and od not awarded].

6. For the same in Hancock County. No entry.

7. For the same in Kennebec County. J. Pope & Son, Manches-
ter, $10 ; E. A. Lapham, Pittston, $8 ; W. R. Wharff, Gardiner, $5.

8. For the same in Knox County. Elmas Hoffses, Warren, 810.
[2d and 3d not awarded.]

9. F'or same in Lincoln County. H. J. A. Simmons, AYaldoboro',
$10; Henry Ingalls, Wiscasset, $8; G. B. Sawyer, Wiscasset, S5.

10. For the same in Oxford County. J. J. Towle, Dixfield, 810 ;
C. H. George, Hebron, 88.

11. For the same in Penobscot County. J. E. Bennoch, Orouo,
$10; E H. Kenniston, Dixmont, $8.

12. For the same in Piscataquis County. No entry.

13. For the same in Sagadahoc County. James M. Fulton, Bow-
doinham, §10 ; Henry 8. Carey, Topsham, $8 ; L. R. Powers,
Georgetown, $5.

14. For the same in Somerset County. James S. Hoxie, North
Fairfield, $10 ; Frank E. Nowell, Fairfield, $8 ; John Ladd,
Starks, $5.

15. For the same in Waldo County. Mrs. A. B. Strattard, Mon-
roe, $10. [2d and 3d not awarded.]

16. For the same in Washington County. No entry.

17. For the same in York County. No entry.

18. For the best five named varieties of Autumn apples. H. J.
A. Simmons, 83 ; S. R. Sweetser, 82 ; Miss L. L. Taylor, $1.

19. For the best five named varieties of Winter apples. S. R.
Sweetser, $3 ; L. H. Blossom, $2 ; Nelson Ham, Lewiston, 81-

12 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

20. For the best collection of apples for home use, for the entire
year, in the smallest number of varieties. H. J. A. Simmons, $5 ;
S. R. Sweetser, $3 ; S. W. Shaw, Minot, $2.

21. For the best collection of Crab apples. J. S. Hoxie, Si ;
Isaiah Wakefield, Greene, 50c.

SECOND DIVISION.

"Entries for premiums in tliis division must consist of from five
to ten specimens,, according to size, of each variety exhibited, and
must be separate specimens from any exhibited in the first division."

Number of entries, 622 ; amount awarded, $82.75.

22. For the best single A^ariety of Autumn apples. S. R. Sweet-
ser, S2 ; H. J. A. Simmons, 81.

23. For the best single variety' of Winter apples. S. R. Sweet-
ser, $2 ; H. J. A. Simmons, $1.

24. P'or the best dish of Alexander. John Dunton, Si ; Miss
L. L. Taylor, 50c.

25. American Golden Russet (Syn. Sheepnose) . Henry Ingalls,
$1. [2d not awarded].

26. Baldwins. A. E. Andrews, Gardiner, $1 ; John Dunton, 50c.

27. Benoni. F. E. Nowell, $1 ; S. R. Sweetser, 50c.

28. Black Oxford. L. H. Blossom, $1 ; G. W. Blossom, 50c.

29. Blue Pearmain. L. L. Taylor, Si ; Perley & Perkins. 50c.

30. Briggs' Auburn. I. T. Waterman, East Auburn, Si ; L. L.
Taylor, 50c.

31. Cole's Quince. J. E. Bennoch, SI; H. S. Briggs, North
Auburn, 50c.

32. Danvers' Sweet. Mrs. M. L. Robbins, Winthrop, Si ; G.
B. Sawyer, 50c.

33. Dean. J. S. Hoxie, f 1 ; Miss L. L. Taylor, 50c.

34. Duchess of Oldenburg. S. R. Sweetser, SI ; John Dun-
ton, 50c.

35. Early Harvest. H. J. A. Simmons, $1 ; F. E. Nowell, 50c.

36. Early Strawberry. Moses Crafts, Auburn, $1 ; Henry Ingalls,
50c.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 13

37. Fall Harvey. J. J. Towle, Si ; L. L. Taylor, 50c.

38. Fall Pippin. E. A. Lapham, $1 ; S. W. Shaw, 50c.

39. P^xmeuse. C. H. George, $1 ; 8. W. Shaw, 50c.

40. Franklin Sweet. L. L. Taylor, $1 ; G. W. Blossom, 50c.

41. Garden Royal. J. J. Towle, SI ; Perley & Perkins, 50c.

42. Gravenstein. G. W. Blossom, $1 ; T. M. Merrill, 50c.

43. Hightop Sweet. J. S. Hoxie, $1 ; H. S. Carey, 50c.

44. Hubbardston Nonsuch. E. A. Lapham, $1 ; Mrs. M. L.
Robbins, 50c.

45. Hunt Russet. H. J. A. Simmons, $1 ; Elmas Hoffses, 50c.

46. Jewett's Red. S. R. Sweetser, 31 ; Oscar F. Frost, Mon-
mouth, 50c.

47. King of Tompkins County. Isaiah Wakefield, $1 ; John
Dunton, 50c.

48. King Sweeting. L. L. Taylor, Si ; J. S. Hoxie, 50c.

49. Large Yellow Bough. S. W. Shaw, fl ; S. R. Sweetser,
50c.

50. Minister. G. W. Blossom, $1 ; Elmas Hoffses, 50c.

51. Moses Wood. W. R. Wharff, $1 ; Perley & Perkins, 50c.

52. Mother. L. L. Taylor, SI ; S. R. Sweetser, 50c.

53. Northern Spy. J. R. Peacock, Gardiner, $1 ; W. H. Young,
Auburn, 50c.

54. Orange Sweet. J. S. Hoxie, $1 ; L. K. Litchfield, Win-
throp, 50c.

55. Peck's Pleasant. A. E. Andrews, $1 ; J. S. Hoxie, 50c.

56. Pomme Royale. J. Pope & Son, $1.

57. Porter. S. W. Shaw, Si ; S. R. Sweetser, 50c.

58. President. L. H. Blossom, $1 ; B. E. Allen, North Greene,
50c.

59. Primate. L. R. Powers, $1 ; H. J. A. Simmons, 50c.

60. Pumpkin Sweet. H. S. Carey, $1 ; G. W. Blossom, 50c.

61. Red Astrachau. H. J. A. Simmons, Si ; Mrs. A. B. Strattard,
50c.

14 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

62. Red Canada. Nelson Ham, $1 ; Perle}- & Perkins, 50c.

63. Red Russet. S. R. Sweetser, $1 ; Mrs. M. L. Robbins, 50c.

64. Rhode Island Greening. Perley & Perkins, $1 ; C. H.
George, oOc.

65. Rolfe. B. E. Allen, $1.

66. Roxbiny Russet. S. R. Sweetser, $1 ; J. D. Briggs, 50c.

67. Sops of Wine. L. H. Blossom, $1 ; H. J. A. Simmons, 50c.

68. Somerset. L. L. Taylor, $1 ; S. R. Sweetser, 50c.

69. Stark ey. G. B. Sawyer, $1 ; Perley & Perkins, 50c.

70. Talman's Sweet. D. J. Briggs, $1 ; M. S. S3'lvester, Leeds,
50c.

71. Tetofsky. Milton Dyer, $1.

72. Wagener. N. W. Harris, Auburn, $1 ; Charles Foss, Turner
Centre, 50c.

73. Williams' Favorite. Miss L. L. Taylor, 81 ; H. J. A. Sim-
mons, 50c.

74. Winthrop Greening. E. A. Lapham, $1 ; F. E. Nowell, 50c.

75. Yellow Bellflower. R. H. Gardiner, Gardiner, $1 ; Ivory
W. Emerson, Lewiston, 50c.

76. Crab Apples. H. J. A. Simmons, 50c ; Nelson Ham, 25c.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 15

Class 2— PEARS.

Number of entries, 155 ; amount awarded, $74.25.
" Entries for premiums Nos. 77, 78 and 79 must consist of five
specimens of eacli variety exliibited."

77. For best general exhibition of pears. Samuel Rolfe, Port-
land, $12 ; L. J. Perkins, Deering, $8 ; D. P. True, Leeds
Centre, $5 ; J. E. Bennoch, $3.

78. For best five named varieties of Autumn pears. D. P.
True, $3.

79. For best five named varieties of "Winter pears. No entr3\

" Entries for premiums Nos. 80 to 109, inclusive, must consist of
five to ten specimens, according to size, of each variety exliibited."

80. For best single variety of Autumn pears. H. T. Leech,
Monmouth, $2 ; L. K. Litchfield, $1.

81. For the best single variety of Winter pears. D. P. True,
$2; L. K. Litchfield, $1.

82. For the best dish of Bartlett. J. C. Symmes, Auburn, $1 ;
H. T. Leech, 50c.

83. Belle Lucrative. G. W. Blossom, $1 ; S. W. Shaw, 50c.

84. Beurre d' Anjoii. Israel Mitchell, Lewiston, $1 ; Henry
Ingalls, Gratuity^ 75c. ; S. W. Shaw, 50c.

85. Beurre Bosc. Henry Ingalls, $1 ; J. E. Bennoch, 50c.

86. Beurre Hardy. R. H. Gardiner, $1.

87. Beurre Superfin. D. P. True, $1 ; Henry Ingalls, 50c.

88. Beurre Clairgeau. D. J. Briggs, $1 ; G. B. Sawyer, 50c.

89. Beurre Diel. Ivory W. Emerson, f 1 ; D. J. Briggs, 50c.

90. Buffum. D. P. True, $1 ; Nelson Ham, 50c.

91. Clapp's Favorite. L. R. Powers, $1 ; II. T. Leech, 50c.

92. Doyenne Boussock. Henry Ingalls, $1.

93. Duchess d' Angouleme. A. B. Chipman, West Gloucester,
$1 ; D. P. True, 50c.

94. Eastern Belle. Henry McLaughlin, Bangor, $1.

95. Flemish Beauty. L. K. Litchfield, fl ; L. L. Taylor, 50c.

96. Fulton. Wesley Patten, Bowdoinham, .*^1.

16 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

97. Glout Morceau. D. J. Briggs, $1 ; L. K. Litchfield, 50c.

98. Goodale. Henr\' Ingalls, $1 ; Perle}' & Perkins, 50c.

99. Howell. Israel Mitchell, $1 ; Henry Ingalls, 50c.

100. Lawrence. C. H. George, $1 ; S. W. Shaw, 50c.

101. Louise Bonne de Jerse}'. D. P. True, $1 ; Israel Mitchell,
60c.

102. Maria Louise. No entry.

103. Nickerson. Perley & Perkins, $1.

104. Seckel. S. W. Shaw, $1 ; D. J. Briggs, 50c.

105. Sheldon. Miss L. L. Taj^lor, $1 ; Ivory W. Emerson, 50c.

106. Swan's Orange. J. E. Bennoch, $1.

107. Urbaniste. Henry Ingalls, 50c.

108. Vicar of Winkfield. A. B. Chipman, $1 ; D. P. True, 50c.

109. Winter Nelis. G. W. Blossom, $1 ; Henry Ingalls, 50c.

Class 3— GRAPES.

Number of entries, 06 ; amount awarded, $55.50.

110. For best exhibition of grapes grown with artificial heat.
John C. Baker, Lewiston, $8 ; John Vickery, Auburn, $5.

111. For best exhibition of grapes grown in cold graper}'. G. B.
Saw^-er, $S.

112. For best cluster Black Hamburgh, Wilmot's Hamburgh or
Victoria Hamburgh, John C. Baker, $1 ; John Vicker^', 50c.

113. White Frontignan. No entry.

114. Grizzly "

115. White Muscat. J. C. Baker, $1.

116. Muscat Hamburgh. Not awarded.

117. White Chasselas. G. B. Sawyer, $1 ; John Vicker}-, 50c.

118. Lady Downes. No entry.

119. Buchland Sweet-Water. G. B. Sawyer, $1 ; J. C. Baker,
50c.

120. Trentham Black. No entry.

121. West's St. Peters. No entry.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETr. 17

122. White Nice. J. C. Baker, $1.

123. Red Chasselas. G. B. Sawyer, SI.

124. Chasselas Musque. G. B. Sawyer, Si ; J. C. Baker, 50c.

125. For the best exhibition of grapes grown in open air. J. S.
Hoxie, S5 ; Perley & Perkins, $3 ; D. P. True, $2.

126. Best single variety (open air). Perley & Perkins, S2. J.
S. Hoxie, Si.

127. Best three bunches Delaware. G. B. Sawyer, Si ; Wesley
Blanchard, Lewiston, 50c.

128. Concord. AYesle}' Blanchard, $1 : Perle}- & Perkins, 50c.

129. Plartford Prolific. Wesley Blanchard, SI ; Perley & Per-
kins, oOc.

130. Rebecca. No entry.

131. Allen's Hybrid. J. S. Hoxie, SI ; G. B. Sawyer, 50c.

132. Adirondac. No entry.

133. Creveiing. Perley & Perkins, 50c.

134. Massasoit. J. S. Hoxie, $1 ; S. W. Shaw, 50c.

135. Wilder. No entry.

136. Lindley. J. S. Hoxie, SI.

137. Agawam. No entry.

138. Merrimac. No entry.

139. Salem. Wesley Blanchard, $1 ; J. S. Hoxie, 50c.

140. Worden. Perley & Perkins, SI.

141. Brighton. No entr}-.

142. Pocklington. No entry.

143. Moore's Early. J. S. Hoxie, SI.

lo STATK POMOLOCrlCAT. SOCIETY.

Class 4— PLUMS.

Number of entries, 2G ; amount awarded, $11.

144. For the best general exhibition of plums, not less than ten
varieties. No entry.

" Entries for premiums Nos. 145 to 164, inclusive, must consist
of not less than twelve specimens each."

145. For best dish of plums of a single variety. Nelson Ham,
$2; D. P. True, $1.

146. For best dish Green Gage. L. R. Powers, $1.

147. Purple Gage. J. 8. Hoxie, $1.

148. Red Gage. No entry.

149. Yellow Gage. J. S. Hoxie, $1.

150. Prince Imperial Gage. H. J. A. Simmons, $1.

151. Coe's Golden Drop. No entr}-.

152. General Hand. No entr}-.

153. Yellow Egg. No entry.

154. Lawrence. No entry.

155. Moore's Arctic. No entry.

156. McLaughlin. No entry.

157. Bavay's Green Gage. Nelson Ham, $1.

158. Lombard. Thomas H. Longley, Lewiston, $1 ; Moses
Crafts, Auburn, 50c.

159. Columbia. No entr\'.

160. Magnum Bonum. No entry.

161. Washington. No entry.

162. Jefferson. No entry.

163. Penobscot. J. S. Hoxie, $1.

164. Smith's Orleans. No entry.

Gratuity. Duane's Purple. Mrs. G. W. Bean, Lewiston, 50c.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 19

Class 5— MISCELLANEOUS.
Niimliev of entries, 97 : auionnt awarded, $37.50.

165. For best dish of peaches. No entry.

166. " " apricots.. "

167. " " nectarines. "

168. " " quinces. "

169. " peck cultivated cranberries. Henry Johnson,
Turner, $2.

170. Samples of nm'sery apple trees. Not awarded.

171. " " pear trees. No entr^'.

172. " '' grape vines. No entry.

173. Best orange tree, in fruit. No entry.
'174. " lemon '• " "

175. " fig " " "

176. " variety of canned fruits, preserves, pickles, etc., put
up and made by the exhibitor. Miss Alice M. Jordan, Auburn, S3 ;.
Mrs. A. C. Pierce, Lewiston, 82.

177. Best specimen of canned peaches. Mrs. A. C. Pierce, -SI ;.
Alice M. Jordan. 50c.

178. Best specimen of canned plums. Mrs. D. P. True, Leeds
Centre, $1 ; Mrs. A. C. Pierce, 50c.

179. Best specimen of canned strawberries. Mrs. D. P. True,
$1 ; Mrs. A. C. Pierce, 50c.

180. Best specimen of canned raspberries. Mrs. A. C. Pierce,
•SI ; A. B. Chipman. 50c.

181. Best specimen of canned cherries. Mrs. D. P. True, SI ;
Mrs. A. C. Pierce. 50c.

182. Best specimen of canned quinces. No entry.

183. " " " tomatoes. Mrs. A. C. Pierce, $1 ;
A. B. Chipman, 50c.

184. Best specimen of preserved quinces. Alice ]\L Jordan, 50c.

185. '' " " apples. Alice M. Jordan, SI ;
Miss Addie L. Lapham, Pittston, 50c.

20 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETr.

186. Best specimen of preserved plums. Mrs. D. P. True, $1.

187. " " " pears. Alice M. Jordan, Si ;
Mrs. A. C. Pierce, 50c.

188. Best specimen of preserved strawberries. A. B. Chipman,
$1 ; Alice M. Jordan, 50c.

189. Best specimen of preserved raspberries. Mrs. A. C. Pierce,
$1 ; Alice M. Jordan, 50c.

190. Best specimen of preserved currants. Alice M. Jordan, $1 :
A. B. Chipman, 50c.

191. Best specimen of preserved cherries. A. B. Chipman, $1 ;
Mrs. D. P. True, 50c.

192. Best jar assorted pickles. Mrs. E. A. Lapham, Pittston.
$1 ; Mrs. A. B. Strattard, 50c.

19.3. Best bottle tomato catsup. Mrs. E. A. Lapham, $1 ; Alice
M. Jordan, 50c.

194. Best bottle mushroom catsup. No entr^'.

195. " jar quince jellv. Alice M. Jordan, $1.

196. '' '' apple jelly. Mrs. A. C. Pierce, $1 ; A. B. Chip-
man, 50c.

197. Best jar grape jelly. Mrs. R. M. Jordan, Auburn, $1 ; Alice
M. Jordan, 50c.

198. Best jar currant jelly. Mrs. A. C. Pierce, $1 ; A. B. Chip-
man, 60c.

199. Best jar strawberry jell}'. Alice M. Jordan, 50c.

200. Best 5 lbs. evaporated apples. J. J. Towle, $1.

201. " fruit evaporator, in operation. No entry.
Gratuity. P'or jar of maple syrup. Geo. W. Manter, Oakland.

$1.

Mr. J. C. Symmes, of Auburn, exhibited very fine specimens of
canned blackberries, corn, beans, tomatoes, squash and pumpkin.
which received the unqualified commendation of the committee.

STATE rOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 21

Class 6— FLOWERS.

"In this class no article can be entered for more that one pre-
minni. All plants and flowers entered for premium must be in their
places at the exhibition room on the first day of the fair."

FIRST DIVISION.

Number of entries, 33 ; amount awarded, $49.50.

202. For best display of cut flowers, filling not less than 100
phials. Mrs. G. B. Sawyer, Wiscasset, SlO ; Mrs. Charles Stanle}*,
Winthrop, S8 ; Mrs. A. B. Strattard, Monroe, $5.

203. For best exhibition of roses, not less than five varieties.
W. E. Morton & Co., Portland, $5.

204. Dahlias, not less than ten varieties. Mrs. Charles Stanley,
$2 ; Miss Cora E. Ring, Richmond, $1.

405. Chinese Pinks. W. E. Morton & Co., 50c.

406. Carnations, not less than five varieties. W". E. Morton &
Co., S2 ; Mrs. A. B. Strattard, $1.

207. Japan Lilies. W. E. Morton, 82.

208. Asters, not less than ten varieties. Cora E. Ring, $1 ;
Mrs. G. B. Sawyer, 50c.

209. Pansies. Mrs. A. B. Strattard, 81 ; Miss L. M. Pope,
Manchester, 50c.

210. Zinnias. W. E. Morton & Co., Si.

211. Phlox Drummondii. Miss Ida M. Litchfield, Winthrop, 81 ;
Mrs. A. B. Strattard, 50c.

212. Stocks. No entry.

213. Balsams. No entrv.

214. Chrysanthemums. No entry.

215. Petunias. W. E. Morton & Co., 81 ; Mrs. Charles Stan-
ley, 50c.

216. Gladiolus. Miss L. M. Pope, 82 ; Geo. M. Roak, Auburn,
81.

217. Verbenas. Miss L. M. Pope, $2 ; Geo. M. Roak, $1.

22 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

SECOND DIVISION.

Number of entries, 2G ; amount awarded, $31.25.

218. For best pair of parlor bouquets. Mrs. C. Stanle}-, 50c.

219. Pair wall bouquets. No entry.

220. " hand bouquets. Mrs. C. Stanley, 50c.

221. Floral pillow. W. E. Morton & Co., $5.

222. " design. W. E. Morton & Co., |5 ; Mrs. C. Stanley.
$3;! Geo. M. Roak, $2.

223. Floral wreath. W. E. Morton & Co., $2; John Burr,
Freeport, $\.

224. Dinner table decoration. Miss L. M. Pope, $2 ; W. E.
Morton & Co., $1.

225. Basket wild flowers. Miss Edith M. Leavitt, Auburn, $1 ;
Miss Alice M. Jordan, 50c.

22G. Dried grasses. Mrs. C. Stanley, $2.

227. Everlasting flowers. Mrs. A. B. Strattard, $1.

228. Dish cut flowers. Miss I. M. Litchfield, $1.

229. Fancy basket of flowers. W. E. Morton & Co., $2; G.
M. Roak, $1 ; John Burr, 75c.

THIRD DIVISION.

Number of entries, 28; amount awarded, $34.75.

230. For best exhibition of greenhouse plants. G. M. Rpak.
$8; John Burr, $5.

231. For best exhibition of pot plants, not less than 20 pots.
No entry.

''Persons exhibiting greenhouse plants (No. 230), cannot com-
pete for premium No. 231."

232. For best exhibition of ferns. G. M. Roak, $3 ; John Burr,

$2.

233. Geraniums. G. M. Roak, $2; Joiin Burr, 1.
- 234. Begonias. G. M. Roak, $2; John Burr. $1.

235. Coleus. John Burr, $2 ; G. M. Roak, $1.

236. Best specimen plant of Tuberose. G. M. Roak, 50c. ; John
Burr, 25c.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 23

237. Best specimen plant of Dracsena. John Burr, 50c, ; G. M.
Roak, 25c.

238. Best specimen plant of Double Geranium. G. M. Roak,
50c. ; Miss E. M. Leavitt, 25c.

239. Best specimen plant of Single Geranium. No entry.

240. " " Salvia Splendens. G. M. Roak,
50c. ; John Burr, 25c.

241. Best specimen plant of Foliage Begonia. John Burr, 50c. ;
G. M. Roak, 25c.

242. Best specimen plant of Flowering Begonia. John Burr, 50c. ;
G. M. Roak, 25c.

243. Best specimen plant of Coleus. G. M. Roak, 50c. ; John
Burr, 25c.

244. Best specimen plant of Fuchsia. G. M. Roak, 50c.

245. "• " Carnation. G. M. Roak, 50c.

246. For best single pot plant. Miss Lou Maxwell, Lewiston,
$1 ; G. M. Roak, 50c.

247. Best hanging basket with plants. No entry.

248. Best climbing plant, on trellis. No entr}'.

249. Wardian case. No entr}'.

250. Rustic stand, not less than three feet in height, filled with
choice plants. No entry.

Proceedinojs of tlie Winter Meetinff.

The annual Winter Meeting of the Maine State Pomological
Soeiet_y was held at Gardiner, in the new Library Hall, on the 24th
and 2oth days of P^ebruary, 1885. Two sessions were held on the
first day (afternoon and evening), the forenoon having been spent
in arranging the exhibition of fruit ; and three sessions on the
second day.

The exhibition was satisfactory in respect to the number of en-
tries and of varieties exhibited, and especiall}' gratifAing on account
of the uniform excellence of the specimens. Further particulars in
regard to it will be found in the rej^ort of the committee at a later
stage of the proceedings.

FIRST DAY— Afternoon Session.

The Society met at two o'clock in the afternoon, and was called
to order b}- the President. O. B. Clason, P^sq., of Gardiner, in a
brief address, welcomed the Societ3' to the cit^y, and was replied to
in behalf of the Society by the Secretary, and the President de-
livered his annual address.

ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
By O. B. Clason, Esq., of Gardiner.

Mr. President, and Members of the Maine State Pomological
Society : — The absence of our Mayor from the State affords me the
pleasure of welcoming you to this citv, named in honor of the father
of one of the recent presidents of this Societ}'. Several of your
most active members are among our prominent citizens, and the
fact that t\\Qy are so closeh* identified with this exhibition here to-da}-
is a sufficient guaranty of the usefulness and practicability of this
Society in advancing the fruit-growing interests of our State. The
soil of the Kennebec valley is fertile and well adapted to fruit cul-
ture ; yet, ride in anj- direction from this city but a few miles and
you will find instances of orchards allowed to go to decay, with

STATE POJrOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 25

scarcely an effort being made to keep them in bearing condition.
Why is this? Is it because orcharding does not pay ? Probably it
does not to them. What is the answer? It occurs to me that it is
because of ignorance or carelessness of the farmer, perhaps in the
selection of varieties adapted to the soil, but more especially in be-
stowing upon the orchards proper care. The trees of the forest
srow, and why should not the trees of the orchard ? they may reason.
Pruning and mulching are rarely resorted to ; the result is fruit in-
ferior in quality and quantity, and iU-shapen trees. This ignorance,
if you choose so to call it, can only be remedied by educating the
farmer in the practical methods of caring for his orchards. Tins
cannot be done by theoretical treatises, for they will not be read,
much less practiced ; but it can be accomplished by just such exhi-
bitions as vou have here today ; by seeing the fine display of fruit
upon these tables; by conversing with the active members of this
Society, and especially by listening to the good, practical, common
sense essays, that, I doubt not, will be read before this meeting. I
hope means will be provided to enable the history of your proceed-
ings to be scattered all over our State, that all interested in fruit
culture may have the benefit of your wisdom.

Again, I^Ir. President, for what your Society has done in the past,
for what it is now doing, and for what it proposes to do, I cordially
welcome you to this city, and hope your stay will be pleasant and
profitable.

The Secrktaky responded as follows :

Having been designated by the President to reply, in behalf of
this Society, to the cordial welcome, which has been extended to it
by the gentleman who has addressed us in behalf of the govern-
ment and citizens of Gardiner, allow me to say that in accepting
the invitation the Society feels itself not only highly honored by the
complimentary terms in which it is expressed, but grateful, also, for
so kindly a reception as we have met. We are not strangers to the
people of Gardiner ; we remember that a little more than four years
ago, we held in this city one of our most successful annual exhibi-
tions ; and that on another occasion, we held here a winter meeting,
similar to this, which was highly satisfactory in its character and
results. The pleasant recollections of these two occasions linger in
our memories ; the goodly number of citizens who are or have been
members of the Society affords another bond of sympathy, and
we come back to this busy and beautiful city almost with a feeling

26

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

that it is our home. It is not necessaiy, therefoie, that I should
say much at this time in regard to our Society and its general pur-
poses.

We meet here again, as we have done before, to exhibit the pro-
ductions of our orchards and gardens (so far as we can at this sea-
son of the year), to talk over our experiences, to see what we can
learn from each other,— what lessons of practical wisdom in fruit
culture can be drawn from the results of the operations of the year,
and to do what we can, by this public meeting and the publication of
its proceedings, to advance the material interests of our State.

Thei'e is a special pi-opriety in the selection of this city as the
place of our meeting. Its people are hospitable, its facilities ample,
and its location favorable ; but still more so because it is the centre
of a community in which the special interest represented by this
Society has long been prominent. It is remembei'ed by some of us
that there was held in this city, about thirty years ago, the first State
horticultural exhibition in Maine, by a Society organized in this
county, but embracing the whole State, and with objects similar to
those of this Society ; and that in this immediate vicinity, favored in
soil, situation and climate, fruit culture has, from the earliest period
of its history, ranked among the foremost employments of an in-
telligent and prosperous population.

Again thanliing the citizens of Gardiner for their kindly welcome,
we invite tham to participate with us in the deliberations of our
meeting, and hope the occasion may be mutually beneficial.

OPENING ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT,

Charles S. Pope, of Man cli ester.

Ladies avd Gentlemen : The few remarks which I have to make at
this time will be mostly in the form of suggestions or queries.

It seems fitting at the close of the year to take a retrospect of
our doings, and consider what plans may enhance our future uselul- '
ness.

Thirteen years ago a few of the fruit growers of this State met
and organized this Society. Have their hopes been realized ? Let
the increased interest in fruit culture in all parts of our State an-
swer. Not only has the apple product increased wonderfully during
that period, but the smaller fruits have won a place in nearly every
garden, and have become a source of profit to many of our people.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. ^i

Has the Society finished her work, and is there no further need for
organized effort ? It seems to me that we are just beginning, and
need now, more than ever, these meetings, to discuss the result of our
hxbors, and learn from the success or faihire of others. Especially
do we need them for mutual encouragement, when, as at present,
every one is complaining of ''hard times," that our courage may be
renewed by the enthusiasm of the more hopeful, and our confidence
strengthened by the success of their ventures.

There is much to be done in the matter of nomenclature. Thou-
sands of dollars are wasted every year in putting out spurious, and
even utterly worthless varieties of fruit, through the misrepresenta-
tions of agents, the mistakes of nurserymen, and the ignorance of
varieties among the planters themselves. The exhibitions of this
Society have done much to correct this last trouble, and I believe
we should do more to expose the wiles of the dishonest tree peddler

that enemy of the fruit grower — who does not, like the borer and

codling moth, lie dormant during the reign of frost and snow. It
is so easy to be persuaded by .the glowing descriptions, and still
more glowing colored plates with which the smooth tongued fra-
ternity are provided, that the honest, unsuspecting farmer needs
frequently to be reminded that a man of practical experience in
orcharding is a much safer guide as to varieties, best in themselves
and best suited to his location and requirements, than is the wily
agent who makes his largest profits on new and untried varieties,
and whose interest it therefore is to recommend them, in preference
to the old and reliable standards.

A matter of great importance to the fruit grower of the present
day, is the better care of his orchard. Trees are allowed to strug-
gle for existence, which, enriched, and with a little extra care, would
pay a huge per cent on the investment. With such attention and
thoroughness in cultivation, we secure larger, finer fruit, which will
meet with a ready sale, at remunerative prices, even in a year of
plenty, when inferior fruit will hardly pay the expense of picking
and marketing.

We need a reform in the matter of sorting and packing our fruit
for market, that shall give us such a reputation as to enable us to
command better prices. This is especially desirable in a year like
this, when our apples are nearly all sent to foreign markets. Too
frequently the orehardist, in his greed for present gain, forgets that
his reputation is at stake, and allows his apples to grade from No. 1,

28 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

at the ends of the barrel, to No. 3, in the centre. Dealers in fruit
are somewhat to blame in this matter, in not making more difference
in price between strictly fine and poorly sorted fruit. The3- should
also oblige the grower to brand his package, and when poor fruit is
found the blame could be placied where it belongs. In many cases
the buyer does the sorting, and not wishing to giv^e offence, hoping
to buy another 3'ear, will not insist on the requisite thoroughness.

With another season of abundance, we hear the cry of ''over-
production"— "orcharding does not pa\'." Notwitlistanding this
complaint (with which we have been familiar for the last twenty
years), we claim that we can compete successfully wilii any section
of this country. Our climate enables us to raise apples that will
keep firm and bright until spring, and therefore are valuable for
shipping, after the more perislial)le western-grown fruit is out of the
market. Maine Baldwins are selling at the present time, in Liver-
pool, higher than those from an}- other section. This, with our
proximity to shipping points, and comparatively low freights, gives
us an advantage possessed by few States in the Union.

A few years ago Michigan apple growers were despondent, and
thousands of bushels rotted on tiie ground — this, too, at a time when
American apples were selling in London for 20 to 26 shillings ster-
ling. Choice winter apples were sold last fall in some towns in Cen-
tral New York for 12| cents per bushel on the trees. In both cases,
distance from market and impossibility of keeping late are respon-
sible in part for such loss. Can any one point to the time when
good winter fruit, hand picked and well packed, would not sell for
a remunerative price in Maine? When we compare the price of
land here, where some of the best orchard land is almost worthless
for any other purpose, with the value in some of the best fruit sec-
tions of the country, where land is worth from $75 to $200 per acre,
together with the other advantages enumerated, is it not at once ap-
parent that Maine ought to raise ten barrels of apples where she now
raises one? Another question which arises in 'connection with the
subject, is the practicabilitj' of keeping our apples until the glut in
the market is over. The loss from shrinkage and decay is frequent-
ly so great as to discourage growers, and many apples are crowded
upon the market at very low prices, which could be sold to much
better advantage in the winter or spring. We think there would be
no difficulty in keeping apples, if the cellar were kept at a low, even
temperature, about 32° to 35° F., and they were stored in open bins.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

29

This may not always be feasible in the house cellar, in which case
a collar may be dug under the barn, or outside, like a celery pit.

In conversation with one of our leading fruit growers, a few days
since, he related his experience in keeping apples in barrels and in
open bins in the cellar. Tliere was a loss by decay of 15 per cent
in the apples barrelled, while those in the bins were perfectly sound
and bright. He urged us lo bring this before the people, as it
would be of great importance to those storing apples.

I would suggest for your consideration, the feasibility of teaching
some of the principles of horticulture in our public schools, as com-
paratively few of our bo3S can attend the Industrial College. The
tendency of the times is to teach those subjects which will be of
practical advantage in business. The different branches of fruit
growing and gardening are good trades in themselves, and it would
be pleasant for men in almost any business to know something about
the culture of fruits, vegetables and flowers. How to sow seed, to
transplant, to graft, bud and prune ; to make hot beds and propa-
gating houses. Could we get our boys interested in some of these
things, perhaps there would be more love for the farm and less
eagtn-ness to rush off to the city, or to some distant State, on at-
taming majority. I would suggest that the best way to accomplisli
this would be to begin with some plain lectures on the subject be-
fore the school. An interest in these things once aroused in the
mind of an intelhgent boy, and all nature is full of object lessons
for his special delight and instruction.

One more question, and a most important one : How can we in-
terest more of the fruit growers, so that they will join witli us and
assist in building up the Society and extending its influence for
further good? You must he aware that comparatively few of our
large fruit growers are actively interested in the woik of the Society.
They may be in sympathy with us, but do not see the importance
of meeting together. Nearly every one of these lias some specialty
in which he excels, and he knows some things about it that others
do not, which he ought to contribute to the general fund of in-
formation, and at the same time he can reap the benefits of others'
experience. One of the best things accomplished by the Society is
the bringing together of inquirers and men of experience.

Often, men who cannot or will not embody their ideas in print
have a large fund of information which may be elicited by careful
questioning. It is not enough that a few of us meet from year to

30 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

•

year for mutual exchange of opinion and discussion ; some way
should be devised for bringing the Societ\' into nearer relation to the
masses of the people. I do not propose a remedy for this, but leave
it, with the other topics presented, for your consideration, not doubt-
ing that your combined wisdom will be equal to the emergency.

Tlie President's address was referred to a committee, consisting
of Messrs. R. H. Gardiner, S. R. Sweetser and Orrin McP'adden,
with instructions to consider the same and report such action as they
deem proper on the several subjects therein mentioned.

Messrs. S. R. Sweetser, Levi Russell and J. M. Carpenter, were
appointed a committee to examine the fruit exhibited at this meet-
ing, and report thereon.

The following paper was read, in the absence of the writer, by J.
M. Larrabee, Esq., of Gardiner:

OBSERVATIOXS OX FRUIT CULTURE IN MAINE.
By J. W. Lang, of Bowdoiiiham.

Orcharding is a vast subject, and one which, as a whole, could re-
ceive but a cursory glance in the limited time assigned to this paper.
Without attempting even an outline of the whole, I shall endeavor
to present a few important points in" a practical manner.

The soil is the source from which plants derive their chief sup-
port. It is something more than a mere pedestal for plants and
trees to stand upon. It is a supporter in several senses ; it supports
in the sense of holding up ; in the sense of maintaining and feed-
ing ; in the sense of secreting, supplying and keeping reserve force.
It contains the power of cx)-operating with the tree or plant in trans-
forming itself, inert and useless otherwise, into active and useful
forms. The soil is the first field for operation in fruit culture. It
is also the last that can safely be neglected. It is the last to fail if
intelligently handled. Any well-drained soil is good for apple trees,
or other fruit trees. Well drained, not only naturally but artificial!}'
except in those soils where nature has, in fitting them expresslv
for fruit trees, spoiled them for almost anything else. A porous
subsoil or well-laid underdrains are demanded. But we must not
stop at well underdraining, for thcj soil should be further fitted for
parting with surplus water 1iy thorough pulverization : and kept so
by judicious mulching. The soil must be prepared thus for the es-
cape of water and the entrance of air. It is then ready to be fer-

STATE POMOLOGIOAL SOCIETY. 31

tilized. In manuring fruit trees, many pile the manure about the
trunk, as though it was a house to be protected from frost or a post
to be liraced. Tlie rule should be to fertilize and mulch the land
instead of the tree. If there is food for the roots in the soil, they
will find it. If it is piled about or near the trunk it is practically'
out of their reach.

In setting trees on underdrained land, I should prefer to set them
immediatel3' over the drains, so far as practicable ; for this would
give the tree the best possible position for drainage, and the ex-
tending roots would be awaj' from, instead of toward the drain. If
the land was being drained for an intended orchard, I would fill the
drains partially in the fall, and in the succeeding spring set the trees
over the drains, as the filling went on. This would save labor in
the setting.

It is difficult to cultivate an orchard set in the usual way without
injury to the trees from the team or implements. I am inclined to
believe, both from observation and experience, that it is better to
set trees in long rows — quite thickly in the row, with wide spaces
between the rows. If set 12 to 20 feet apart, and the rows four
rods distant from each other, it will be found more convenient in
working among them with plow, mower or rake, or in carting either
fertilizers or fruit. On many farms, sufficient orcharding may be
had by setting rows of trees by the roadside and along permanent
fences. It has been found that trees do particular!}- well beside
fences, especially stone walls. This arises in part from the partial
mulch which the fence affords, and in part from the deeper and
longer retention of snow. They are practically out of the way of
the plow, or other farm machinery. It may be suggested that many
apples would be injured by falling on the rocks or rails of the fence.
But this is realh' small objection if the fruit is poor, and still smaller
if good, for then hand picking, the only right way to gather fruit of
value, would be the more imperatively required.

We have seen many good orchards set and grown in gulches, on
steep hillsides, and other waste places. We have also seen hun-
dreds of other similarly good locations naturally that are as yet un-
utilized. Here is a hint to many. Trees on such grounds may be
set irregularly, and in the most convertient places, and set thickly.
The touching of limbs here affords support and shade, and the l)ene-
fits of a partial mulch. The sharp slope or rocky nature of such
lands affords a natural drainage, and imparts a ruggedness and

32 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

hardiness that often gives peculiar thrift to the trees. We believe
there are sufficient waste places, and caves, and nooks in the State
to put all the existing orchards and fruit trees into — out of the way,
if the expression is allowable — and to their improvement as a whole.
If this idea is true, tliink 3-ou for a moment of the vast unutilized
resources for orcharding we have that we have scarcely- begun to
appreciate, and that but few have ever seriously considered,

Sandy soil is not generally considered good for orcharding, but
we have seen many very good orchards on sand\- loams, and no one
need hesitate or despair of having an orchard because of this.
Thrifty trees, well set (and somewhat deeper than in heavier soils),
liberally mulched with muck and ashes, and the whole soil well sup-
plied with coarsely ground bone worked in evenh' several inches
deep, will give a good growth and make health3- trees. If such soils
have their outs, they have their compensations. They are well
drained naturally, easy of cultivation, and generally "lay well."
They also afford poor shelter to insects.

The lighter clay loams are fair orchard lands, especially along the
borders where they shoal to meet rock^' ridges or lap on to gravel
loam. We have seen many good orchards on such land, and hope
more attention is to be given them in the future. They should be
carefully drained, if at all needing it. They are strong retention
soils, holding fertilizers well and requiring but light mulching.
Much of this class of land is underlaid by a porous or partially
porous subsoil. Pear trees are particularly at home on cla\' loams.
The Red Astrachan is one of the varieties of apples that does well
on a heavy clay loam. The Yellow Bellflower is another.

We have especially spoken of the two extremes of soil — sandy
loam and clay loam — to show that orchards may be raised ixofitably
on them, and to encourage those having such soils to 'try. It re-
quires more care and skill, but success is often all the more marked
in the end, where harder to obtain. On other rock}', gravel loams,
where trees come on almost by themselves, and the Gelds and pas-
tures have strong, vigorous volunteers, orcharding may be pursued
as a specialty and to a large extent. No section of our State is des-
titute of much land of this kind. It is on these we expect to see
orcharding have its widest expansion, (irowing Baldwin apples in
Maine is as promising in outlook and paying in returns as growing
oranges in Florida, and not attended by half the privations and dis-
advantages. We hope citizens of Maine will learn this fact in the

STATE FOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 33

near future ; and not only learn it, but learn to accept it and prac-
tice it.

If there is one point in fruit culture that needs impressing more
than any other, it is that of fertilizing. More orchards are starved
to-day than are well fed. More poor apples than good are pro-
duced, and largely for the want of manuring. It is a thing we
should dwell upon. Too many orchards get no plant food except
what they forage. Too man}- people give what little dressing they
apply to the orchard grudgingly. If orcharding is worth pursuing
at all, it is business to work it for all it is worth. The quicker
3'oung trees are grown, the less time the borer and the caterpillar,
the woodpecker and the canker worm have to work on them. The
sooner they are driven to bearing size, the sooner the investment
will pay.

Fred W. Ritchie, of AVinterport, a successful orchardist, says :
"I cannot raise such apples as the market demands, such as will
bring the highest price, and such as I want, without liberal manur-
ing and cultivating. I should as soon think of raising good corn
without cultivation and close attention, as good crops of apples."
We might glance over the State and present a long list of names of
successful orchardists, and not one would present an example of
success without effort.

[The writer here mentioned numerous instances of the successful
cultivation of orchards, in various sections of the State, showing
the practical benefits of high cultivation.]

The lesson is : The tree that has the most and best plant food at
its disposal, succeeds best.

The hardier and eai'lier varieties of grapes can be grown with lit-
tle care and attention, and as successfully as an apple tree. They
ought to be produced in abundance on every farm. The}" require
but small space ; and, grown about the door3'ards or the buildings,
are ornamental as well as useful. Change Scripture a little to suit
the climate, and with a little effort, all ma\" sit beneath their own
vine and apple tree.

The subject of fruit growing is receiving increased attention in
Maine. At no previous time in the history of the State has so
much attention been given to planting of new orchards, or to the in-
telligent care of those already existing, as during the few past3-ears.
Apples in our local markets are often scarce and high. Discussions

3

34 STATE POMOLOGTCAL SOCIETY.

of horticultural inetliods and practices are pursued with more inter-
est than formerly-. Results are more narrowly- watched. Experi-
ence is carefully sought to guide the amateur.

The great central and southern belts of the State, more especially
west of the Penobscot river, are finely adapted to apple growing.
The western and northwestern sections will produce Baldwins hard
and firm almost as the rocks they grow among. Even the north-
eastern portion produces good apples of the ver}- hardiest or ''iron-
clad" varieties. Aroostook is as yet by no means to be given over
as a hopeless fruit section. In its borders plums are particularly
free from insect enemies. Pears grow finely on our clay loams, and
are thriftiest and most productive near bodies of water. Maine
apples have long keeping qualities, are hard and firm and bear long
transportation well. There is a tendency' to grow fewer varieties
and larger quantities of standard sorts ; especially those which from
experience have proved adapted to our wants, are good keepers and
staple in the markets.

The future of Maine fruit growing is, we trust, to be a bright
one. The increased attention which it receives seems to warrant
the prediction. Not only are more and more apple trees set each
year, but small fruits are receiving attention also. Although there
is much of improvement to be made, yet the beginning is so tar
good. Strawberries are receiving attention. Demand far exceeds
supply. Our strawberries, coming into the market late and in good
condition, bring a good price. Late supplies of this delicious berry
often bring as good prices as the earlier ones from more southern
States. Cranberries are the natural product of many bogs and
lowlands, and are cultivated with profit in parts of the State.
Cherries and plums are considerabl}' grown in spite of black knot
and curculio. Peaches are produced in favored places in quantities
sufficient to be a market crop. Grape culture is on the increase.
Raspberries and blackberries are not much cultivated, the wild
product being as yet too plentiful. But they will soon command
attention. The gooseberry- and currant have not yet recovered their
former importance since the advent of the currant worm.

The State Pomological Society is doing a good work. Its annual
meetings, exhibitions and reports are valuable. It exerts a marked
influence on the fruit interests of the State. A good society is a
power for good. The power of organization is mighty in results.
It is helping set Maine along the tide of progress to be one of the

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 35

best fruit States of the near future. Its work should be appreciated
and sustained.

None are too old to plant trees. The grandsire may outlive the
grandson. It is a beautiful thought that we may leave a legacj' of
beneficial fruit trees behind us ; that they may wave their green and
golden benedictions over our graves, and over the old homesteads
long after we are known on earth no more.

If such lands, in quality, price, contiguity to all that blesses life
in our own New England, lay in Florida, California, or the far
west, it would only be necessary to advertise them liberally to draw
their present inhabitants, almost by an exodus, to their land of
promise. It is said familiarity breeds contempt. The fairest por-
tions of the earth are inhabited by the most indolent and inappre-
ciative people. Shall we, here in this good old State of Maine,
close our eyes to the wealth beneath our feet or the beauty over our
heads? Shall we go to miasmic Florida, the cyclone swept west,
the arid lands of the Pacific slope, to raise fruit we can equal at far
less expense? God forbid !

The introduction of establishments for, and the {u'acticeof, evap-
orating apples is adding much to the revenue hitherto derived from
our orchards. The product is enhanced in value one hundred per
cent, and not only this in both price and quality, but a class of
apples hardly salable before, comes into demand. It opens up'
encouraging prospects for raising those kinds of apples that are
hardy, prolific, and of low value for dessert. The evaporating busi-
ness has obtained such a foothold, and been such a success where
tried, that we may reasonably regard it as one of those innovations
that are improvements, and that has come to stay. There is little
danger that the markets will be overstocked with a good product, and
should such an event occur, it is not likeh' to be of long duration.
It is wise policy to encourage good evaporating operations in our
midst.

Living here, pleasantly situated amid all that makes life desira-
ble, surrounded b}' all the facilities the temperate zone afl^ords, or
the others contribute, in quick and easy communication with all the
world, with the best of markets at our very doors, why shall we
not thank God and take courage in the production of more and bet-
ter fruit year bj* year ? It would seem to be flying in the face of a
most kind and beneficient Providence not to do so. No branch of
the old home farm has more of promise or of profit in it. The

36 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

village plot is not excluded. The bill-side and the valle}^ are com-
petitors. AVomen and children nia^- engage in it. There is much
that fits the kindly touch of the hands of the gentler sex in it. Its
pursuit doubles and quadruples the value of the lands on which it
is pursued. It beautifies and elevates the home, and refines the
character.

'•Better than gold is a peaceful home,
Where all the fireside chanties come —
The shrine of love — tlie heaven of life,
Hallowed b_v mother, or sister, or wife.
However humble the home may be,
Or tried by sorrow by heaven's decree,
The blessings that never were bought or sold,
And center there, are better than gold."

DISCUSSION.

The Secretary. I object to the recommendation in the excellent
paper whicli has been read, of setting trees directly over the drains,
and especiall}' to doing this at the time of filling the drains.
Drains, in a soil which needs underdraining, will, during a large
portion of the year, contain water, and always moisture. Tlie roots
of trees seek moisture, and if placed directly over the drains, will
extend downward into the drains, instead of "awa}' from them."
The choking of drains b}' roots is a fact of frequent occurrence, and
when a drain needs repairing it will be impossible to uncover it with
a row of trees standing over it. On the other hand, if the drains
are placed midway between the rows, they will tend to draw the
roots to tlie greatest possible distance, will be for a long time free
from the danger of choking, and can be uncovered for repairs with-
out destroying the trees.

The recommendation to plant trees in "out of the way -places."
if intended as a general rule, does not meet my approval. A good
orchtird, designed to be a permanent source of profit and pleasure,
will not be "•in the way," in an offensive sense, if given the best and
most convenient location which the farm aftbrds.

The writer has not over-stated the importance of high cultivation,
or of intelligent and constant care in the growth of an orchard.
Too much importance cannot be attached to the subject of pro-
ducing a vigorous growth and early development of the trees, or
keeping up the fertility of the soil.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 37

Ex-President Gardiner. About planting trees over drains — I
would like to speak of an incident that happened at Oakland some
years ago, which bears out Mr. Sawyer's objections. In those days,
before we knew much about drains or drain pipe, it was almost uni-
versal to use logs ; and all the water that came to the house and
barns was brought in logs through the old orchard. On one occa-
sion I remember that the water supplj- began to fail, gradually grow-
ing less and less. It was a long time before the cause was dis-
covered, but at last, b\' digging down to the drain, it was found
that an apple tree root had grown down and found a knot-hole in
the log, and had gone in through it, and had grown so large as to
stop the flow of the water. It merely shows that the inclination of
the roots of trees is to find water. If a tree is planted over a drain
the roots will find their way into the drain and fill it up. It is a
very remarkable fact that roots will always go to find water.

D. J. Briggs. I merely rise to state a fact from my own experi-
ence in regard to setting trees on drains. I have one small apple
orchard in which a part of the trees are set over the drains, and
those trees that are set between the drains are as hardy, as produc-
tive and as large as those on the drains.

Another point in the paper which has been read is in regard to
the production of grapes in this State. I think that the subject of
grape culture should not be brought forward as a matter of general
interest in a pecuniar^' point of view. It may be discussed in
farmers' clubs, but we know that we cannot as a general tbing pro-
duce grapes in this State profitably, because there are other locali-
ties that produce them more easily and more abundantlj', and get
them into market before we can.

One point in respect to what the president said in regard to apples,
that ten barrels should be grown where there is now one. A
neighbor said to me this winter '"if all the trees bear where apples
can be grown, it will be the best farming we can do, at 81.25 per
barrel from the orchard." I heai'd of none being sold for less than
that price last fall ; yet without putting them into the cellar this is
better farming than anything else we can do. I believe instead of
raising one hundred barrels of Baldwins as I did, it would have
been better if I had had a thousand barrels. I believe the more
good fruit we can raise, the better the market will be. I have
repeatedly said this to this Society, and I still adhere to it.

38 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Another point in Mr. Lang's paper in regard to raising the stand-
ard varieties ; I don't believe in raising all standard varieties. We
see in the English reports, that fancy varieties brought very high
prices. For instance: The Fameuse, Gravenstein, and King of
Tompkins Couut}^

1 believe that if a young man is going into orcharding, he should
look at the nearest orchard he can find that has been productive,
and see if the soil is similar to his ; if so, follow the example. In
the vicinity where I live, I can raise russets quite well ; a hundred
rods south of me they cannot raise them with any profit. Mr.
Gardiner will raise Belltlowers, but I have discarded them. I have
tried for the last ten years to raise them, without success.

There is another point — that a person will set out an orchard,
perhaps well, and think the work is all done, when it is onh' the
commencement. It is work all the way through — eternal vigilance.
We must raise better fruit to compete with other sections. We
have to fight our enemies — we have to feed ourselves. AVe have
got to feed our trees also. The question w'ill arise. What shall we
feed them with ? I feed mine largely on potash. I buy ashes and
spread them broadcast in the orchard. I advocate, in planting corn,
to plant corn, and not beans or pumpkins. I don't believe you can
profitably plant an orchard with other crops.

The first animals that I turn into my orchard in the spring are
sheep and hens. When the sheep commence gnawing the foliage
and .shaking the limbs, they are taken out, and pigs are put in.
These are kept there till the apples become fit for making cider,
then these are taken out, but the hens continue to run there. I
lielieve the hens are a source of income, and that they pay for all
.the apples the}- devour.

W. P. Athertox. I rise to speak of some points in the paper
which has been read. One is in regard to setting young tre.es over
drains. I drained a piece of land, one-half acre in extent, and
instead of setting trees over the drain, I set them between, think-
ing it the better course. My idea was, and is, that the roots of apple
trees are reaching out for moisture, and they must have it ; and if
you jHit the trees over a drain, the natural tendency of the roots
will be towards the drain and into it. If any one is thinking of
undfcrdraiuing and setting out trees, avoid setting the trees over the
drains.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 39

One other point I wish to emphasize, in regard to setting apple
trees in "out of the way" places. M}- experience tends in a differ-
ent direction. I want in 3' trees where I can give them the best cul-
ture and attention ; not in a poor, out of the way corner. There
seems to he something contradictory in the paper. The writer advo-
cates getting all that we can out of the apple tree while young ; to
drive the tree to its full growing capacity. I think it is impossible
to force a young tree into bearing while young, and at the same time
make it develop in growth. My idea is that if you drive a tree you
will stunt its growth, therefore I would not advocate it ; but it all
depends upon circumstances. If you are setting a variety of fruit
from which you wish to deriv^e the greatest profit, and don't care so
much for growth, Iwould say set the trees close and feed them high
while 3'oung. That may be poor advice in some cases, it would be
so in regard to the Rhode Island Greening, Northern Spy and Tal-
man's Sweet, I should prefer to get a full growth and let the trees
become somewhat mature. I know of a man who was getting all
he could from his trees while young, and had four acres of trees set
half a rod apart, making six hundred and forty trees to the acre.
That was extremel}' close. They were the Duchess of Oldenburgh.
Some of them were as large as a man's arm, and the tops had begun
to come together somewhat. I asked him what he was going to do,
as I believed he could not get them to grow and become mature.
He said he did not care so much about that, he should cut out some
of them. With that variety, and perhaps some others, it would do
very well. There is the Wagener, if I had a hundred trees of that
variety, I would set them close together. I don't believe in keep-
ing sheep in the orchard, but circumstances alter cases. Top dress-
ing is better than keeping sheep, for me.

Mr. Gardiner. I noticed in the paper by Mr. Lang, an allusion
to the woodpecker as an enemy to fruit culture. I would like to
hear about it. Some say they are useful in destroying insects, and
some that they suck the sap from the trees.

Miss Alice Foster. I have an apple tree which is completely
girdled by woodpeckers. The holes are not more than a quarter of
an inch ai)art in limbs ten inches through, and the tree is certainly
ruined. I think they come for the sap. I think the tree is fifty
years old. It is graduallj' dying.

S. R. SwEETSER. I have an impression that there are several
kinds of woodpeckers, and that the one we call the sap sucker is

40 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

injurious to trees. I have watched them. The}- appear as though
thev were sucking the sap. I have noticed them in the fall, as a
general thing.

Mr. Sawyer. Is it not, in fact, in the fall and winter that you
see them most frequently?

Mr. SwEETSicR. I think so.

Miss Foster. I have seen young trees where the woodpeckers
have bored into them so as to stop the sap from flowing.

L. F. Abuott. In regard to the time that the woodpeckers come,
r should say in October. I have seen them on trees at that season.
One fine tree that I had, about four inches in diameter, was entirely
spoiled by them. That was done in October.

J. M. Carpenter. Do you understand that the number of trees
in this State that are destroyed in this way is very large? It appears
to me that if we have no worse enemies to contend with than this
one,, we should get along well enough. I have yet to learn that
much damage is done by them.

I would say in regard to the matter of di-ains, that a member of
our family came into possession of a larm where the drain was
choked that ran from the cellar through the orchard ; it was made
of logs. Soon after, we found it choked, we dug down to relieve the
cellar from the water, and we found the very place where the roots
of the trees had gone into the drain and had blocked it up entirely,
so that it was a curiosity. We had to cut them awa}' with axes.
It proves that the tendency of roots is to go towards the water, and
I should think it would be an unwise thing to do. to put trees on top
of a drain. I am sure I should put the trees between the drains,
rather than upon them.

Mr. Briggs. I want to say, in regard to planting trees in out of
the wa}- places, that I believe in taking the best land on the farm
and nearest the buildings. While land is cheap, it would be well
enough to set trees forty or fifty feet apart, in out of the way places ;
but where land is in good condition, put them closer. I have set
ray orchard too thick ; one small orchard has one tree to the square
rod, but from twenty-three to twenty-five feet apart is better.

There is another point I want to speak of, in regard to trees
cracking in the spring, after the sap begins to flow. I cannot think
of any reason but the expansion of the wood by freezing. I would
like to know if any other orchardists experience the same trouble.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETr. 41

Mr. Gardiner. I remember, a good many years ago, after the
cold weather had began, there came some warm weather, then it
became cold again and I lost a great many trees. I attributed it to
the warm weather which had started the sap, and the sudden freez-
ing afterwards, causing a sudden expansion and contraction. I lost
many Baldwins at that time.

Mr. Sawyer. I would like to ask Mr. Briggs if he ever saw the
bark cracked on a tree that had all its branches down to the ground
— had not been trimmed up?

Mr. Briggs. Yes, sometimes- 1 noticed it on some that were
particularly thrift\'.

Mr. Sawyer. I have in mind some trees that never were
trimmed. They are trees of considerable height, with very large
tops ; but the branches start very near the ground, so that there is
no place where the sun can shine on the trunks. The bark on these
trees is green and smooth, except as it becomes thickened in the
process of nature, when it falls off in flakes or scales, and never
cracks. Now I believe the cracking results from the unnatural con-
dition which we produce by this high pruning. I have found that
by slitting the bark the entire length of the trunk, so as to give
room for the expansion of the tree, the splitting or cracking of the
bark is prevented. A clean cut through the bark, made with a
sharp knife, will heal in one season, and the width of the scar will
show very nearl}'^ the increase in the circumference of the trunk.
The tree, when the sap starts, must expand. If it has an unnat-
nrallv hardened and rigid bark around it, something must burst or
the tree cannot expand. T think that is all there is to it. If you
slit the bark of a hide bound tree in that way^, you will see no burst-
ing, and the tree will grow much better for it.

Mr. L. H. Blossom. AVould you advocate splitting the bark?

Mr. Sawyer. Not unless I saw some necessity for it. I think
you can tell by the appearance of the bark of the tree whether it is
in such a condition that it needs to be relieved, and I think it is safe
to say it will do no harm, if your tree has reached that size wliere
there is a possibility of its bursting.

Mr. Beossom. "Will it make any difiereuce on which side?

Mr. Sawyer. I think not. If 3'ou split the bark in the si)ring,
you will find in the fall a wide scar or seam, proportionate to the
size and vigor of the tree, and inside of that space there will be a
new bark.

42 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Mr. Blossom. I have been troubled, as Mr. Briggs has, with the
bark bursting. I have lost quite a number of trees in this way.
The bark seems to dry right on to the tree, and after a while this
part will all peel off.

Mr. E. A. Lapham. Sometimes on my trees the bark dies on
the north side, sometimes on the south. Sometimes I have taken a
knife and cut around it, and the rest of the bark seemed good then.

Mr. Carey. In regard to trimming the apple trees, I have in the
last year made a practice of cutting through the bark on the body
of my trees, and I have noticed that manj' of them have grown
more since I have split them ; and I think it is a good plan,
especially with a young tree and perhaps in some older ones.

Miss Foster. M^^ Baldwins particularly, have troubled me by
splitting.

Mr. Briggs. At what time of the year?

Miss Foster. In the spring.

Mr. Briggs. I have had but little trouble with the bark burst-
ing. That fall when we had a veiy heavy frost I noticed three or
four trees where the bark, a little way fiom the ground, had burst.
One tree was a Porter, another a Eed Astrachan, and one a Bald-
win. These cracks were not on any particular side of the tree.
Had I gone right then and bound them up with clay, or something
else, instead of waiting till spring, it would have been better. If I
should ever notice anything of that kind again, I should attend to
it immediately and bind it up, and then I should save it. I don't
know what the cause was unless it was too rapid growth. I have
had some trouble with young trees which Avould all dry up. I
don't know whether it was on account of the mulchiug. I believe
the sun is an aider and abettor of our work. There is a great deal
of power in the sun, in helping to strengthen the bark. I believe
we should not put the mulching too close to the trunk. I would
like to hear what the President's experience is.

The President. M^' only trouble has been with the Gravenstein.
Several people have made complaint that in the spring the bark
would split entirely around the tree.

Mr. Briggs. Does not this trouble occur in the fall, and escape
your notice till spring?

The President. I do not think so.

After a brief discussion on parasites and insect enemies, in which
nothing new or important was elicited, the meeting

Adjourned.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 43

EVENITs^G 8ESSI0N.

At the opening of the evening session the following original poem

was read by the author :

FLAMEN POMONALIS.

B}'^ J. M. Larrabee, of Gardiner.

In ancient days of myth and gnome,
When gods and goddesses, in Rome—
With temples numerous and grand,
And altars crowned on every hand—
Held sway; when nymphs witli thoughtful care,
In human lahors had a share,
And loved and were beloved in turn-
As human hearts for love's light yearn—
Pomona, fairest of her race,
Among the fruit-trees held a place.
And from her garden, orchard. Held,

Produced by skill tlie highest yield.

And wliile she helped with cultured hand

The growing products of her land,

Or gathered fruits in garners laid

For future use : This virtuous maid

Determined in her heart, tliat she

A celibate for life would be.

So sluitting up her garden gate.

The young gods left outside to wait.

Vertumnus sought by human guise
This virtuous maiden to surprise.
And many a cuiuiing scheme he planned
To win her virgin heart and hand.
Sometimes a reaper lad was he;
Again a plowman he would be;
Sometimes vine dressing was his plan;
A soldier next, or fisherman ;
But all in vain : the obdurate miss
Would never grant a single Idss.

Pomona, watching, saw one day
An aged woman pass that way.
And bade her, with a kindly smile,
To stop and rest herself awhile.

The woman, talkative and gay,

Eelated in a pleasant Avay—

As any garrulous woman would—

44 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIEXr.

The gossip of the neigliborhood.
Her manners gentle, unrestrained,
Pomona's confidence obtained.
She, still conversing, did relate
The blessings of the marriage state;
The joys that crown a loving wife;
The evils of a single life.
The charming nymph was not amazed
To hear the god Vertumnns praised,
And then first felt within her heart
The painless sting of Cupid's dart.
Then saw a transformation strange.
The woman to Vertumnns change.
The nymph of fruit became with pride,
The god of season's lovely bride.

Pomona's worshipers, with cheer.

Their sacrifices made each year

To her, that she in preservation

Would keep the best fruits of the nation.

Her Flamen Pomonalis stirs

The hearts of all her folio weis.

Fair nymphs and goddesses to-day,
As deities have lost their sway,
Our "Hamadryads" by their arts
Become, each one, a queen of hearts,
And placed, each at her fireside.
As goddesses at home preside.
But still, upon the roll of fame.
We find Pomona's honored name;
Her pomological relation
Is seen in your Association.
Pomologists of wintry Maine,
The virtues of the nymph retain ;
The super excellence of their fruit
Proclaims them members of her suite,
And manj' a Pine Tree orchardist,
Pomona's ''Maiden Blush" has kissed.

Then "Seek-no-farther,'' "Northern Spy;"
Next summer "\V'illiam's Favorite" try.
And should you an "Early Harvest" plan,
Forget not bright "Red Astrachan."

And when the "Pumpkin Eussct" turns.
And "Sops of Wine" your stomach yearns,
When "Moses Wood" is "President,"
When "Eambo" wins the "Beauty-Kent,"

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 45

When "Minister" becomes a '-Dean,"
And '-Duchess Oldenburg" a queen,
Then let j^our "Granite Beauty" meet
On "Killiam Hill" her "Franklin Sweet;"
And have your "Famense" "Porter" wait
Beside the "Kinoj of Tompkins" gate —
Above his head the "Hightop Sweet,"
Tlie "Garden Royal" at his feet —
Until he sees the "Golden Ball"
Ascend above "Tetofsky"(s) wall,
Then "Jonathan" and he can eat
Each "Twenty Ounce" of "Superb Sweet;"
But should his "Mother" hungry get.
She'll send him off to "Somerset,"
From good "Benoni" to obtain
A"Nodhead" and a "Bine Pearmain."
Should "Hubbardston Nonesuch" allow,
But "Chase" him with a "Yellow Bough,"
Then "Sarah" will be pleased I ween.
If he brings home a "Gravenstein."

Pomologists : If we are wise
We all shall seek "Sweet Paradise,"
Or at "Peck's Pleasant" quarters stay
When "Gloria Mundi" slips away.
And let us, when tlie "Winter White"
Shuts "Wintlirop Green-ing" out of sight,
Rest till the "Bald-wiu"(d) rudely shakes
The "Golden Russet" down in tlakes;
Then shall the "Ladies' Sweet" be ours,
Enwreathed with fairest of "Bellflowers."

The following paper was then read by the writer :

THE NURSERY BUSINESS IN MAINE.
By W. P. Atherton, of Hallowell.

Mr. President., Ladies mid Oentlemen :

In tlie presentation of this subject for your consideration to-day,
I beg yonr indulgence and closest attention, and you will allow me
to say that I take this liberty because it is an old subject and may
not seem to claim any attention, and, furthermore, that I have
chosen this one with some reluctance, being well aware that it is
delicate if not dangerous ground, and that I must tread softly, and
yet with a strong desire to do good. M}^ only object is good and

46 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

not evil. M}' only object is the dissemination of knowledge and the
right kind of knowledge. I love my native State and I love to see
every form of industry prosper, from the plow to the loom. The
resources of our noble State are boundless, and our farmers onght
to produce every pound of beef, every bushel of corn, and every
barrel of flour we need or that we can possibly consume. We ought
also to produce every tree and vine that we need. Orcharding here
in Maine is but in its infancy, and as the nursery is the source from
v/hence is procured the foundation of the orchard, this l)usiness
needs to be greath- encouraged. It has done much for us in the
past, it may do more for us in the future. But there is no need of
our sending out of the State for trees. We might produce them
here. Several Maine nurser3'men have in years past been engaged
in the business and have propagated and disseminated thousands of
good trees. Why have man\' of them gone out of the business?
Why has it not proved successful? There are reasons surely, and
it will do us no harm to consider some of them. I will begin
Yankee-like by asking the question : Why has the nursery business
in Maine failed to meet the wants of our orchardists? First, it has
failed from a want of capital ; second, it has failed from a want of
a thorough knowledge of the business, and thirdly, it has failed
because it has been attempted as a temporary resort instead of being
pursued persistentl}' as a permanent business. The nursery liusi-
ness to be conducted properly, requires large capital, extensive
grounds, and an abundant supph' of manure, especialljMf the object
be to meet the demands of the market. Should one man or a num-
ber of men want one hundred thousand trees at one time, the nurser^--
man must be al^le to furnish them from his own stock, or from some
one in the same business near at hand. Now, if a man has the
capital, the necessary grounds and the requisite knowledge to l)egin
with, it will of course be of great advantage, it would help him
along amazingly, but it is not absolutely necessary' that he should ;
he could begin in a small way and enlarge his capital as his business
increases. It is true, large orders might come in when the business
was small, and it would be somewhat mortifying and discouraging
not to be able to fill those orders, and have them go elsewhere, but
tlie only wa}- would be to put what yon have on the market in good
shape, and work the business up gradually.

But this does not militate against what was stated at the first,
that a man must have capital if he would be successful ; it is one of

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 47

the requisites to success, whether olitained at the start or after years
of persistent labor. Now if the nursery business here in INIaine
has failed in any degree to meet the wants of our people, and I
think it has, it is because of several reasons, one of which is a lack
of capital. We don't lack the right kind of climate, we don't lack
the right kind of soil, in Maine It has been abundantly' proved by
several who have attempted the business, that nearly all of our
varieties of apples can be safely and successfully budded and grafted
in the nursery, about the only exceptions being the Baldwin and
Roxbur}' Russet, and even these perhaps might be, could the}- be
tested thoroughly and intelligenth' and under circumstances wholl}-
favorable to tliem. In latitude we are onh* sixty or sixty-five miles
farther north than the Rochester nurseries. New York, while we are
one hundred and ten miles south of the Woodstock nurseries, New
Brnnswiek.

Second, it has failed because men have entered upon it witliout
an}' knowledge of what the business required ; they have thought
in too many cases, that all that was necessary was to sow a few rows
of pumice seed and to give a little hoeing and thinning when the
plants were growing ; thej' have failed to peroeive that two or three
acres of half starved and half neglected seedling or grafted nursery
trees amount to nothing, that the}' have selected the wrong soil,
and have failed in drainage and in protection. I know of one
nursery that went up in three years because it was planted in a low,
damp place ; they were seedlings, not forced but grown slowly in a
fairl}' rich soil, and they nearly all winter killed in one winter, I
know of another nursery, abandoned several years since because
the soil was not suitable, it was a strong clay ; trees transplanted
from this soil to a rockv, gravelly loam, felt the change to be an
uncongenial one, and i-efused to grow for a long time. Another
nursery, and a large one, was abandoned or sold out a good man}'
years ago from a want of practical knowledge to carry it on prop-
erly ; some good stock, undoubtedly, was sold from that nursery,
and some bad stock too, and it was the bad stock that helped the
downfall. It will not do to sell all stock on the bare reputation of
the nursery, it must have an intrinsic value ; the farmer wanls some-
thing besides pedigree when he buys a cow, and the orchardist is
not to 1)lame if he is just as particular. Another nursery, and one
that was pretty well conducted generally, was recentl}' given up
because the proprietor, as he says, could not compete with western

48 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

trees. But the real trouble was the lack of a true appreciation
of what the business required ; the owner was a man of more than
ordinary intelligence, and he knew the nature and requirements of
the apple tree as well as any man, but he knew the theory better
than the practice ; he knew that he had not the time nor the means
to give the trees proper and sufficient pruning ; he knew that he
could not, or rather that he did not, protect his trees from deep,
drifting snows, and he knew that the land selected for his nursery',
though naturally a good soil, needed to be thoroughly underdrained ;
and knowing all this he continued for awhile to raise and sell trees,
good, bad and indifferent, but failing to receive that patronage
which he expected, he went out of the business, laying the blame
wholly upon the western tree vender, not realizing then, and perhaps
not now, that the real seat of the difficulty was at his own door.
It is impossible to raise good, sound trees on undrained soil ; the}'
will give dissatisfaction sooner or later. I said that some failed
from a want of knowledge, but this man had some knowledge, and
yet he failed to comprehend what the business required and what the
farmers required. And still another nursery has but recently gone
up, or been sold out because the proprietors cannot properly attend
to the business ; more likely I should say, because the}' do not
understand the business. It is a business that requires not onl}' a
knowledge of some things, but a knowledge of a good many things,
and the good many things we will come to by and by. Others
might be named, but doubtless the failures which have come under
m,y notice are but a part of the great bulk of failures throughout the
State.

The third reason why the nursery business in Maine has failed to
secure the best results, is because some have resorted to it only as a
temporary expedient or speculation. Not having the time or inclina-
tion to give it the study and investigation which it requires, they
have carried it on in the most slovenly and slipshod manner pos-
sible, and the consequence has been, that the public has either given
them a wide berth or purchased sparingly of their wai-es.

Now, what I mean by a temporary' resort, is this : some farmer
imagines that he can sow a small plat of ground with apple-pumice
seed and raise a nursery of trees which will supply, not only himself,
but his neighbors and a portion of the public ; that he can do this
without much trouble or expense and reap a little pecuniary benefit,
in fact that he can sandwich this in somehow and somewhere among

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 40

his other farm operations and make a little money ; he does not care
to follow it long and so he gives the subject no thought, no investi-
gation ; he goes to little or no outlay in preparation of soil, in
drainage, in dressing, in protection, or in transplanting and prun-
ing. What, then, is the natural consequence of this idea followed
out in this manner? Just what might have been expected I Fail-
ure, and failure of the worst kind ; because, not only the owner
himself is disappointed, but the public is disappointed and defrauded,
and damage of this sort cannot be rectified in a da^' or a month ; it
often takes 3ears to recover from the evil effects of setting poor
trees, and life is too short to make many such mistakes. 'Tis true,
a small house well ordered, is better than a large one badly managed ;
a little farm well tilled, is more to be desired than a great one sadly
neglected, and so, too, a small nursery well cultivated and well
pruned, is better than a large one half starved and half neglected i
but the trouble is, it is the little ones that are generally lialf starved
and neglected and it is perfectly natural that it should be so. How
can the farmer, engrossed with the cares of his farm and busily
engaged the greater part of the season in planting, hoeing, haying
and harvesting, attend to the wants of the nursery properly? He
cannot. Tiie attention which he does give is usually a hap-hazard,
go-between one and the results are generally after the hap-hazard
style. Ordinarily speaking, then, it is impossible for the farmer to
enter into and conduct the nurserj' business in such a manner as to
attain and receive the best results. I am not speaking against the
farmer or orchardist raising his own trees, not at all ; he can do so
if he has the time and inclination, and I should also add, the deter-
mination, for it does require pluck and perseverance to raise a good
tree.

Well, what then? Shall we give the whole thing up? Oh, no!
The case is just here — the majorit3' of farmers and fruit men prefer
to buj' their trees rather than to raise them. Again, as a rule, that
business is the most successful which is conducted on business prin-
ciples, and who so likely to do tiiis as those who have the means and
the opportunity, and where every department is thoroughh- under-
stood and equipped? The interest in the fruit business is increasing
every year and the demand for trees is increasing in like proportion.
I am, therefore, in favor of Maine raising her own trees, if it can
be done, and of spending our money in our own State, rather than

4

50 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

of sending it abroad b}" the thousands of dollars, to enrich some one
else. It is no use to say that our climate is unpropitious and that
our soil is too hard and rock}' ; in realit}' it is not ; but suppose it
is, that is just where you want to tr}' the trees — under unfavorable
circumstances ; and if they prove hardy and succeed there, then
they will prove hard}' and succeed when transplanted. Do you say
it is the Baldwin, principally, that is wanted, and it is no use to
graft or bud this variety in the nursery' ? I answer, this is true of
the middle and southern sections of our State in regard to what is
wanted, but I am not sure that this variety has ever been tested as
thoroughly and understandingly as it might have been. I do believe
that if this variety' was tested on the right kind of soil, rich, grav-
elly loams, on moderately high elevations, and under the most favor-
able circumstances of drainage and protection, the results would be
successful. At any rate, thousands' of good, hardy seedlings might
be produced, of proper height and shape to fill the market, while the
matter of standard Baldwins in the nursery was being tested in a ^
small way.

If Dr. Hoskins can be successful in raising fruit trees in the high
elevations of Northern Vermont, and F. Sharpe & Son successful
in producing hundreds of thousands of trees still farther north
(though less in elevation), in Woodstock, N. B., wh}' may not
Maine nurserymen raise all the trees we want? The banks of the
Androscoggin, the Kennebec and the Penobscot are just as well
adapted to the business as the banks of the St. John or the regions
around Lake Memphremagog. And if the middle and southern
portions of our State have not suitable locations to raise those
varieties adapted to the Aroostook and other northern counties, then
there is plenty of land in Northern Aroostook well suited to the pur-
pose. Then let some active, enterprising young man or company
of men take up land there in the right place and go right into tlie
business with the determination to succeed, and I believe their for-
tunes could be made. There is a growing demand for apple trees
in Aroostook. Only a few days ago a prominent man from that
section expressed to me his intention of setting out, the coming
spring, one thousand trees on his farm, and he supposed he would
have to send out of the State for them, as he knew not where he
could obtain them within our borders.

Finall}', let me point out briefly some of the many things required
to be a successful nurseryman here in Maine. The most important

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 51

thing of all is to have the right idea at the start. To comprehend
the situation in the beginning of any enterprise is a mighty lever,
and to fail to comprehend the situation is a miglity drawback.
Therefore, to know what the public requires, what kind of trees,
how grown and in what quantities, is essential to success. The next
thing is to select the right kind of soil. A light sand and a heavy
clay must be rejected as unsuitable. Doubtless the very best kind
of soil to be selected would be a rich, sandy loam, inclining to cla}' ;
but the grand trouble with all such soils is that, generally, they are
too low down. A strong, gravelly loam is, on the whole, the best.
The location of the nursery is also an important matter ; it should
never be on low, flat land, nor on the eastern slope of a hill where
the snow lies deep ; for deep, drifting snows are always damaging.
The most suitable location is the top of a ridge or moderately high
elevation, protected on the north and west by a forest, if possible ;
if there be no forest, plant a row of evergreens or build a board
fence, for it is absolutely necessary to protect the young trees in
some way.

Drainage.
Without drainage, either natural or artificial, it is impossible to
raise good, sound, healthy trees. A certain amount of heat and
moisture is indispensable to the growtii of all plants, but if there be
too much moisture, there will be a consequent deficiency of heat
and the plants will suffer. We all know that where land is well
di'ained, either naturally or artificially, it can be worked much
earlier in the spring for any crop, and that the chances for a success-
ful crop are every way better from its superior condition. The same
is equally true when the land is devoted to raising nursery stock.

Transplanting.
It will be impossible, in a paper like this — already lengthy — to
discuss this part of the subject properly. It is enough to know that
the best nurserymen always transplant their trees, and they invaria-
bly do this when the trees are young. The work can be done more
rapidly then and with less mutilation to the roots. The advantages
of transplanting are, straight lines for cultivation, proper distance
apart, more room in the earth for the roots, more breadth in the air
for the tops, with better branches and less pruning. The troul)le
has been that too many of our Maine nurserymen have either not

52 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIKTY.

transplanted their trees at all, or when they did, they have set too
closely and the result has been a large percentage of dwarfed and
crooked trees. No good nurseryniau can aftord to lose from twenty
to twenty-five per cent in this or any otlicr direction.

Pruning.

To know how to prune is quite an art, that is, to understand the
best time of the year adapted to the age and condition of each tree,
and whether that tree is a seedling or a graft ; and the amount, not
too much nor too little, is quite an art, and it is something that must
be learned In- personal practice in the nursery. To sa^' that seed-
lings need but little or no pruning in the nursery is a mistake ;
undoubtedly they will not bear as much pruning as grafts. If all the
side branches and spurs were cut off when very young, the ti'ee
would probabl}' grow up too slender and willowy ; but, again, there
is danger, if not pruned at all, that some of the side branches will
develop too much and too low down, dwarfing the top and trunk
both. I have seen a good deal of this sort of work, or, rather, want
of work, and it is high time that a different method be adopted if
we are ever to have straight trees and of the proper height.

Clean Culture.
Finall}', among the many things to be mentioned as necessarj', the
last but not least is clean culture. If a perfect nursery is to be es-
tablished, I don't believe in half-doing anything. Thorough work
and enough of it is the best doctrine. To let grass and weeds grow
rampant or have any influence whatever in the nurserv is a mistake.
Some may not agree with me, they ma}' claim that it should be kept
down somewhat in the earlier part of the season, but left to grow
later and serve as a protection or mulching to the roots of the trees
in the heat of summer and cold of winter. I answer, the tops of
the trees will shade the ground suflficientlj- in summer, and if the
land is well drained the snows will protect the roots during the
■winter. In closing, let me say, that if all the conditions of our
soil and climate are faithfully observed and carried out, no one
need be discouraged or dismayed in attempting to pursue this branch
of husbandry, and, furthermore, our farmers and orchardists will not
be slow to appreciate such efforts and to give their patronage where
it rightfully belongs.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETT. 53

Mr. Atherton followed the reading of liis paper with some
extempore remarks, which led to a general

DISCUSSION.

Mr. SwEETSER. I would like to ask Mr. Atherton how high he
would want the heads of the trees if he was going to graft them in
the limbs?

Mr. Atherton. That depends upon the variety, and whether
^•ou are going to keep sheep. If you intend to keep sheep in your
orchard, you want tall trees. All people who keep sheep select tall
trees, and it is an important point with them.

Mr. 8>VEETSEK. My idea is that there are a great man}- advan-
tages in having the heads of the trees low — in gathering the fruit
and in its falling, particularly. I have one tree of Seek-No-Farther
from which I can stand on the ground and gather eight bushels. It
bears well and they never drop ; and mv idea now is that I should
prefer low trees. In my first orchard the lowest branches were up
six feet from the ground.

Mr. Gardiner. "Would it not make a ditfercncein different kinds
of trees? Look at the Bellflower. If you have it branch at about
five feet, half the branches will droop to the ground. The Northern
8py grows upright, and therefore should be headed low.

Mr. Sawyer. I think it likely that I may saj' some things which
other members will not agree with. But in regard to this matter of
raising Baldwins in Maine, I am not ready to admit, from what I
have observed and learned, that we cannot raise Baldwins in the
nursery in Maine successfully. My own practice has been very
limited, but I have never yet found an}- difficultv- We have had
much difficulty with the Baldwin nurser}- trees in Maine, but I think
it will be found that the trees which have troubled us most have
been root-grafted. Now I believe that a root-grafted tree is not so
hardy as one grafted in the trunk or limbs. I do not doubt that a
root-grafted tree will live under favorable circumstances, but it will
be subject to injury by the severity of the winter. It may be that
the time has come when we can make as good a tree by grafting a
scion upon a piece of the root — but I have not seen them yet. I
have seen a great many root-grafted trees. I notice there is some-
times a portion of the tree where there is a large excrescence formed
of unsound wood, and this is the point from which the suckers
start. I have also observed that root-grafted trees are more

54 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

inclined to produce suckers than trees growing from the seeds. In
regard to the hardiness of the stock. I believe if it is a good prac-
tice to leave those spurs on the seedling stock, it is equalh' good to
leave tliem on the grafted tree. They may he shortened, but ought
not to be removed all at once. When you buy trees from a nur-
sery, whei-e the side limbs have been cut oft all at once, you will
find many suckers growing. It is good practice, then, to leave them
on that part of the tree which is to form the permanent ti'unk, and
when you have planted the tree where you want it to grow, to
shorten them gradually. I have never had any dilficulty by simply
controlling the side growth, but I have not made it a rule to cut off
the whole until I have got the tree where I want to form a perma-
nent top. I do not see why the same practice is not required in one
tree as another. I believe that with proper care, of course employ-
ing the conditions which Mr. Atherton has so well described as
requisite, as to the soil, and as to the character and vigor of the
tree itself, there is no difhculty in raising trees.

I have found it necessary every year to cut away some of the
lowest limbs. It seems there is no harm in doing so ; but I insist
that the tree must have protection from the sun and wind. ]t was
said in the discussion on the cracking of the bark, that the natural
condition of a tree is a condition of protection. I believe that the
tree needs protection in every stage of its growth, instead of expos-
ure. Your young tree, if trimmed up, has not that protection ; and
until it can endure exposure and is of good size and growth, it must
have protection.

Our friend, Mr. Frost of Monrnonth, raises figs successfully
every year, but there is no profit in it. He takes his trees up in the
fall and carries them into the cellar, just as Mr. Sharp does his
apple trees, but we cannot take our orchard trees in for the winter ;
we have to leave them standing. I do not believe it is necessary
to wait till a tree has become large and formed its top, before graft-
ing. I believe you can graft it lower down, and it will grow and
form a continuation of the oi'iginal stock. There was a time in
1855, or thereabouts, when the Baldwins were injured very much
throughout the State of Maine, and so, from that day to this, it has
been said that the Baldwins were tender ; but you may as well say
that the white maple is tender, because you don't bring up a cord of
wood to your door without finding a black streak in the wood. We
have thousands and thousands of Baldwins that have survived the

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 55

winters for from a quarter to half a century. I don't believe
in that talk about the excessive tenderness of the Baldwin. It is
too valuable a tree to allow us to say such a thing.

Mr. Atiikuton. Mr. Sharp's practice of taking up trees would
not be practicable for us to follow, he can do it perhaps. And then
the matter of setting the trees close together. I think the}' have an
object in view, and put them nearer together for protection and to
get all the fruit they can while the trees are young. He told me
that he sometimes sent a hundred thousand trees to the West ; he
has a very large, deep cellar, and so he takes his trees up in the fall
and carries them in. These trees, where tlie side branches were
trimmed otf, were not more than two years old, so when thev are
four or five years old the tops are all there. He had the Mackintosh
Red, the Duchess, and other varieties, but no Baldwins or Rhode
Island Greenings.

Mr. Gardiner. There is one point in the paper which has not
been touched upon, and that is in relation to the condition the trees
are in when they are brought here. I think it was a very great
loss to the State when Mr. ¥j. K. Whitney' gave up the nursery
business. I had a hundred trees from him at one time, and I don't
believe that ever in this State there was a better lot of trees sent
out. There was not a root broken or cut ; every root the trees ever
had was on them. They came in the most perfect order and were
set out in a ver}' unfavorable season, and all but two grew.

The reason why so many of the western trees fail to live is
because the}' are brought here in bundles, kept in the open air, and
exposed and dried for weeks ; therefore, three-fourths of them die.

Mr. Briogs. I believe a great deal depends on the selection of
apple seeds, whether you get them from the cider mill or whether
you save them from good seedling apples.

Mr. Gardiner. I would save them from the seedling apples.

Mr. Briggs. I think that is correct, from my experience. I
planted a little nursery a year ago last fall, and had seeds enough
saved from good apples, but, fearing there were not quite enough,
I went to the cider mill and got a few bushels of pomace, and those
trees that grew from the selected seeds were twice or three times as
large as those that grew from the seeds from the pomace.

In regard to trimming the trees, a man told me that the first class
trees from the New York nurseries are trees that are stripped of the
leaves as fast as they appear, and the trees that have the spurs

56 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

trimmed are second class trees. The first class trees have none of
these knots on them. The leaves are stripped off, except a few at
the top. Those trees with the knots on them are refuse trees and
are trimmed afterwards, and those are the trees the}' sell to us for
first class. I don't believe it makes any difference whether a tree is
grown in Maine or in New York, if propei'Iy grown and cared for.
1 think Mr. Atherton is mistaken in saying that the nursery' should
be screened by a board fence or forest on the west, because the
snow blows from the west largely, and it would surel^y drift over a
fence and break down the nursery stock. I have selected, for a
little nursery for my own use, a place that has a westerl}' exposure,
and is underdrained five feet deep, so that all accumulation of water
is prevented.

In regard to the hardiness of Baldwin trees, the great trouble is
the tenderness of the wood. A great many o( mine will split down,
but other varieties will withstand all the load you can put upon
them.

Mr. Sawyek. Is the splitting of the Baldwins in that wa^- in
consequence of the tenderness of the wood or the great weight of
the fruit upon it?

Mr. Briggs. Trees of other varieties will withstand a large
weight of fruit where a Baldwin with limbs of the same size will
break. I had a great many break this year at the crotches. I
think the wood is liable to be soft.

Mr. Athektok. I had some trees break in that way, but gener-
ally considered that it was because the}' were so heavily loaded.

Mr. Briggs. Exactly ; but other varieties that are loaded heavily
would withstand the same weight. But, for this latitude, I know no
reason why the Baldwin is not a hardy tree.

Adjourned.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 57

SECOND DAY— MoiiNiN(} Session.

The Society met at 9 o'clock A. M., and proceeded to the trans-
action of the unfinished business of the Annual Meeting.

The Treasurer presented his account for tlie year ending Decem-
ber ol, 1884, together with the report of the Executive Committee,
as follows :

GEO. B. SAWYER, Treasurer,

In Account with Maine State Pomoi.ggical Society.

Dr.

To am't rec'd from the State, bounty of 1883, $.500 00

" '' of life members, ' 20 00

" '' "■ annual members, 37 00

" " of State Agricultural Society, 425 00

" '^ from interest. Permanent Eund, 17 20

Cr.

By balance due Treasurer on account for 1883,
Am't pnid orders of Executive Committee,
" '' Salary of Secretary, for 1883,
" •' '' ^' 1884,

'' " on account of printing
" "■ interest on loan,
" " balance premiums of 1883,
" " on acc't of '' 1884,

Balance, cash in the treasury,

, $24

81

297

89

100

00

100

00

25

00

6

00

167

00

193

00

S913

70

85

50

$999 20

$999 20

Statement of the Financial Condition of the Society,
December 31, 1884.

Assets.

Amount due from the State, bounty for 1884, $500 00

Property owned b}' the Society, estimated, 150 00
Extra dividend due from Wiscasset vSav. Bank, 22 36

Cash in the treasury, 85 50

86

58 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Liabilities.

Ainonnt due

on

loan,

$200 00

preiniiinis of 1884,
unpaid orders.

441 00
55 2.5

{.i. !,(,

bills not rendered, estimated

50 00

$74G 25

Balance, $11 61
Permanent Fund.

Cr. By fees of 78 life members, $780 00

Dr. To amount on deposit to credit of fund, 344 40

Balance due fund, , $435 GO

Respectfully submitted,

GEO. B. SAWYER, Treasurer.
Gardiner, February 24, 1885.

The foregoing account and report was referred to a committee,
consisting of Messrs. J. M. Carpenter, L. H. Blossom and W. P.
Atherton.

The Society then proceeded to the election of officers for the
ensuing year, with the following result :

For President — Charles S. Pope, Manchester.

Vice Presidents — S. R. Sweetser, Cumberland.
Henry McLaughlin, Bangor.

Secretary and Treasurer — Geo. B. Sawyer, Wiscasset.

Executive Committee — The President and SecretarN', ex-officiis,
Andrew S. Sawyer, Cape Elizabeth; Leander H. Blossom, Turner;
W. P. Atherton, Hallowell.

Trustees — Androscoggin Count}-, D. J. Briggs, South Turner.
Aroostook " E. E. Parkhurst, Maysville

Centre.
Cumberland " Otis C. Nelson, New Gloucester.

Franklin " G. K. Staples, Temple.

Hancock " Charles G. Atkins, Bucksport.

Kennebec " Richard C. Plaisted, Gardiner.

Knox " PLlmas Hoffses, Warren.

Lincoln '' H. J. A. Simmons, A\''aldoboro'.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 59

Oxford County, Jainis K. Hammond, Paris.

Penobscot " J. E. r>ennoch, Orono.

Piscataquis "■ H. A. Robinson, Foxcroft.

Sagadahoc '• Henry S. Cary, Topsliam.

Somerset " James S. Hoxie, North Fairfield.

Waldo " D. B. Johnson, Freedom.

Washington " Nelson S. Aihm. Dennysville.

York " Luther S. Moore, Limerick.

Mr. S. L. Boardman, having announced the death of Alfred
Smith of Monmouth, a life member of tlie Society, was requested,
by vote of the Society, to prepare an obituary notice for publication
in the transactions.

Mr. Gardiner announced the death of Charles Downing, and,
after remarks by several members, Messrs. Gardiner, Atherton and
Gilbert were appointed a committee to prepare and present appro-
priate resolutions in relation thereto.

Announcement was made of the decease, since the last winter
meeting, of the Hon. John E. Godfrey of Bangor, and F. G. Rich-
ards of Gardiner, life members of the Society.

Mr. Boardman, in behalf of the Committee on the Exhibition of
Fruit at New Orleans, submitted the following

REPORT.

Your committee to solicit and arrange for an exhibition of Maine
fruit at New Orleans, would repoit that they early organized for the
work before them and set about its performance with all the time
and ability they could command. During the time of the State
Fair at Lewiston, last fall, the^' made a careful study of the fruit on
exhibition, to ascertain who had the finest specimens of certain
varieties that could be obtained for the exhibition, taking the names
of the exhibitors and the varieties shown. At that time the mem-
bers of the committee held several consultations, and the}' also, by
appointment, held several interviews witli the Commissioners of tlie
State for the Exposition, and with Mr. Ham, the Special National
Commissioner. At that time the members of the committee divided
the work, and assigned certain details to each to perform. Mr.
Pope visited some of the best orchards in the count}' of Kennebec,
and personally solicited the finest specimens he could find ; Mr.
Prince did the same in his section, and Mr. Boardman also visited

60 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

several fairs, where much time was given to the work of soliciting
fruit. The committee then had a circular letter printed, containing
instructions in regard to the picking, packing and shipping of fruit
for tlie Exposition, which was sent to the leading orchardists in all
parts of the State. This was accompanied by two sets of printed
postal cards for reply, one to be sent to Mr. Ham and one to the
committee, informing them when tlie fruit was shipped. Printed
tags for packages were also sent. These things were done in order
that the work of shipping might be uniform, and that as little care
to these details as possible might come to the parties sending.

From the lateness of the season — the State Fair was held Sep-
tember 21-24, and the woi'k of sending forward fruit did not begin
till some weeks after on account of the holding of the county fairs
— it was out of the question to think of obtaining fall varieties.
And yet some late fall and early winter sorts were obtained. Cold
storage was obtained for the fruit at Lewiston, previous to sending
forward to New Orleans, and every precaution and arrangement
taken by the committee, vyith the means at their command, to insure
safe keeping and rapid transportation. In addition to the printed
circulars above referred to, many private letters were written
soliciting specimens, and personal visits made to fruitgrowers. The
results of this work were that the committee received responses from
twenty-nine individuals, who contributed twent3"-seven barrels and
ten boxes of fruit, and one specimen of evaporated apple. Kenne-
bec County sent the largest numl)er, viz : sixteen barrels. The
others came from Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin, Somerset
and Sagadahoc counties. A list of the individual contributors, with
the varieties sent by each, is here given :

W. P. Atherton, Hallowell, four barrels: comprising Baldwin,
Roxbury Russet, Northern Spy, Tompkins King, Red Canada, Tal-
man Sweet, Ladies' Sweeting, Newbury Sweet, Wagener, Winthrop
Greening, Nodhead, Danvers Winter Sweet.

Hon. G. H. Andrews, Monmouth, one barrel: Baldwin, Black
Oxford, Roxbury Russet, R. I. Greening.

Andrew^s & Peacock, Gardiner, one barrel : Northern Spy, Black
Oxford, Peck's Pleasant, Hubbardston Nonsuch.

J. O. Butmau, Readfield, one barrel.

D. J. Briggs, South Turner, one barrel: Baldwin, English Rus-
set, Tahnan Sweet, Wagener, Northern Sp3', R. I. Greening, Tomp-
kins King.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 61

Henry S. Gary, Topsliatii, one barrel : Baldwin, R. I. Greening,
Talman Sweet.

J. Colb}- Dudley, Readfield, one barrel: Baldwin, Northern Spy,
R. I. Greening, Red Canada, Hiibbardston, Nodhead, Jewatt's
Red.

Hon. R. H. Gardiner, Oaklands, Gardiner, four barrels : Bell-
flower, Hubbardslon Pippin, Gloria Mundi, Talman Sweet, Northern
8i)y, Nodhead, Richard's Graft (Strawberry), Fameuse (Snow),
Ribston Pippin, Blue Pearmain, Hunt Russet, Black Oxford,
Tompkins King, Hubbardston Nonsuch, R. I. Greening.

Hon. Z. A. Gilbert, North Greene, Milding.

C. H. George, Hebron, one barrel : R. I. Greening.
Nathan W. Harris, Auburn, Wagener.

A. L. Herse}-, Oxford, Maiden's Blush.

D. H. Knowlton, Farmington, three barrels.

E. A. Lapham, Pittston, Black Oxford, Tompkins King.
H. T. Leech, Monmouth, Roxbury Russet, Baldwin.

T. S. McLellan, Brunswick, Wealthy.

C. A. Marston, Skowhegan, one barrel : Northern Spy, Tomp-
kins King, Gray Pearmain, Black Gilliflower.

M. J. North, one box containing one-half bushel.

Hiram Pope, Gardiner, Hunt Russet.

Hon. Rufus Prince, Turner, one barrel: Black Oxford.

J. Pope & Son, Manchester, two barrels: Baldwin, Talman
Sweet, Danvers Winter Sweet, Winthrop Greening, Gravenstein,
Maiden's Blush.

Harrison Parlin, East Winthrop, Winter White.

Albion Ricker, Turner, one barrel : Tompkins King.

S. R. Sweetser, Cumberland, one barrel: Northern Sp3', Jewett's
Red, Tompkins King, R. 1. Greening, Red Russet, Baldwin, Red
Canada, Roxbury Russet.

Arthur S. Taber, Yassalboro', one barrel : Starkey, Golden Ball.

Miss L. L. Taylor, Belgrade, one barrel : Hubbardston Nonsuch,
Northern Spy, Sweet Russet, Tompkins King, Blue Pearmain,
Baldwin, Mother, R. I. Greening.

J. J. Towle, Carthage : one box evaporated apple.

W. R. Wharff, Gardiner, Black Oxford, Tompkins King.

A. F. Williams, one barrel.

After the committee had received all the notices which were
reasonably expected, Mr. Pope went to Lewiston and gave his

62 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

attention to the work of shipping. The fruit was sent forward
about November 20. Finding it was necessary to have some one to
attend to the placing of the fruit on exhibition, and not having the
means to pay a person for their service, Mr. Pope, who had decided
to visit the Exposition, volunteered to take charge of the fruit at
New Orleans, and place the same on exhibition. He left Maine
December 2, and arrived at New Orleans December 28. The his-
tory of the P^xposition is too well known to be repeated here. There
was delay in all the arrangements — delay in opening the buildings
to the pul)lic, and when opened nothing was in readiness. It is but
just to state, however, that our Commissioner, Hon. J. B. Ham,
proved one of the most efficient ollicers at the Exposition, and did
all in his power — which was a great deal — to aid the work of tlie
Maine exhibitoi's. When Mr. Pope reached New Orleans he found
the refrigerator room incomplete, and our Maine fruit yet unloaded
from tlie car, out of doors, in the warm January temperature of the
Crescent City. Concerning the fruit, Mr. Pope says: "The a|)ples
arrived in good condition, but after staying three weeks in the lieat,
they had begun to decay some when tliey were ready to be placed
on the tables." It was found that the examining committee would
not see them as soon as they were placed upon the tables, as pi-oin-
ised, but, like everything else there, they were two weeks behind
with their work. Consequently, arrangements were made to have
more taken from the reserve in the refrigerator at the time, and
replace those that were decayed. Tiie refrigerator was onh- such in
name, as the cold air had not then been introduced ; and when
opened the apples were about half rotten. A peck or a half bushel
of each variety of our leading winter sorts, which were in good con-
dition, were then placed on the tables in Horticultural Hall; and a
display in quantity was also made in the Maine State Exhibit in the
Government Building, the last named being of the leading winter
varieties, for shipping. Our fruit compared well with that from
California, Michigan, Wisconsin and some other States; and upon
the whole, although much disapt)ointment was the result of the
exhibit, it was no greater than came to other exhibitors from other
States and in other departments, and from this fact we gather a
little consolation. We also feel sure that a point has been gained
by the Pomological Society in making known the superior shipping
qualities of Maine late-keeping apples, by this exhibit; and while
it may not have yet commenced to show results, we feel that it will

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 63

in the future. At aii}' rate^ since tliis Convention has been held in
Gardiner, a cablegram has been received direct from Liverpool, by
a Gardiner orchardist, giving quotations of apples in that market,
in which Maine Baldwins are placed higher in price than those
from New York or Canada.

Your committee cannot close this report without a word of praise
to Hon. J. B. Ham for his earnest efforts in aiding their work, and
his readiness to do anything in his power to help on their mission.
Here and at New Orleans, both, Mr. Ham was ever ready to second
our plans, and help carry forward their accomplishment. Thanks
are also due to each person who so kindly responded to our invita-
tion to send fruit ; and espeeialh' to Hon. R. H. Gardiner, for his kind-
ness in writing to personal friends in New Orleans in our interest.
And as chairman of the committee, I wish personally to thank each
gentleman associated with me for tlieir uniform courtesy-, and I beg
to sa\' that m}' thanks, and those of the Societ}', are especially due
to our President, Mr. Pope, my associate, for his earnest personal
efforts in this work. To him, more than to anj' one else, is due
whatever of praise or credit belongs to your Committee on the Maine
Exhibit of Fruit for the New Orleans World's Exposition.
Respectfully submitted.

Samuel L. Boardman,

For the Committee.

The report was accepted, with a vote of thanks to the committee
for their services, and to the several contributors to the exhibition.

The following paper was then read b}' the President, the writer
of it not being in attendance :

COMBATTING THE KOUXD-HEADED BORER.

By Charles G. Atkins of Bncksport.

One of the first observations I had occasion to make about the
round-headed borer in my apple trees, was that the eggs were laid
in the bark so near the surface of the ground (if not, indeed, some-
times just below it) that as soon as tiie young borer began to work,
all external traces of his presence would often be concealed from
view by the eartli or the grass-roots. To ensure effective work, it
was necessar}' to dig away a little of tiie rubbish and dirt and scrape
the bark clean. I always did this myself and enjoined the practice
upon my hired help. The necessity of replacing the dirt after oper-

64 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

ating did not at first suggest itself, ancU so we kept on, year after
year, removing a little of the dirt, perhaps not over half an inch
yearly. In a few 3ear3 we had thus formed a depression all about
the collar of the tree, and in many cases the roots had been laid
bare. The beetles continued to lay their eggs close to the depressed
surface, and it became yearly more difficult to find and extract the
borers. Not only would many escape detection, but when the outlet
of an excavation was deep in the basin, and thegaller\- ran upwards,
it was very difficult to insert a wire and drive it home. When they
got down so far as to work under the roots, then it was quite a
hopeless job. At the same time, experience had led to the convic-
tion that if the borer beetle could be induced to \ay her eggs high
enough on the trunk, the detection and destruction of ever}' egg or
larva in an early stage of growth would be, on smooth-barked trees,
a comparatively eas3' matter for a man with good eyes and patient
disposition. The mother beetle makes a perpendicular slit in the
l)ark, which, after drying, shows as a ragged-edged gash one-quar-
ter or three-eighths of an inch long, and beside this is a very slight
swelling in the bark, beneath which lies the leathery-skinned egg,
under the bark and next the wood, if the bark be thin, but if the
latter be thick, then beneath its outer layers. Press with your knife
handle or the flat of the blade on the bunch and you will hear the
snap of the bursting egg. This is the condition of things during
the latter part of the summer. In early autumn 30U can find the
young larva by the same mark, and it is not until a year has passed
after the laying of the eggs that the borer gets far away from his
cradle. Some time during this first year he ought to be found and
destroyed ; and the earlier the better, for, according to my observa-
tions, the period of his greatest mischief is when he is about a 3'ear
old, say in June and July.

What are the means of compelling a borer beetle to la}' her eggs
high on the trunk? Probably a close wrap of cloth, cedar bark,
tin or stout paper would do it, but I have been warned that these
preventives have sometimes led to disappointment, the beetle get-
ting in behind them. Jiesides, it must be a good deal of trouble to
put them about the trees and remove them again for examination.
I could think of nothing that promised so great eflHciency combined
with economy, as a little mound of sand. An}' kind of dirt would
do as well as sand, were it not for the liability to be pushed away on
all sides by the swaying of the tree in the wind and packed so as to

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 65

leave an open space all around the trunk for the beetle to crawl
down into. Loose sand will not pack, but if the tree sways will,
as soon as it returns to its natural position, settle in and fill the gap.
A mound some six inches high, applied just before egg-laying,
would compel the beetle to work above it, and later in the season,
if it did not settle avray sufHciently to permit thorough examina-
tion, it could easih' be pawed away. I accordingly had nearly all
m}' young trees mounded with sand in 1884. The date of applica-
tion is a point of considerable importance. It should be before the
beginning of egg-laying, and should be delayed as late as is safe,.
to permit of repeated examinations. The middle of June was fixed
as the date beyond which it would be unsafe to delay the mounding.
Soon after that, as near as I can conclude from limited data, the
egg-laying begins. How long it continues is uncertain, but as 1
have found unhatched eggs after the first of September, it is i)rob-
able that it continues till late in August. Therefore, the mounds
should be kept well up till about the end of August. After that,
they ma}' safelj' be drawn away or suffered to sink down as th.ey
would naturalh', under the iiifluenee of the rains, and need not be
drawn up again about the tree until the next June. As the sand
works away and wastes in the grass it may be renewed, but a lilteral
application will answer for several years. If sand be scarce it may
be economy to place an old tomato can loosely around a small tree
and fill it with sand, as recommended by Dr. True several years
ago. AVraps of i)aper extending two feet up the trunk, tied on
tight and left there the whole year may be found to be an effect^ial
protection against both borers and mice, but I have not tried it.
Tarred paper would be most durable, but injurj' to trees has been
reported from its use, and until these reports can be shown to have
been unfounded, it should be used with great caution.

So far we have considered only the young trees with smooth bark.
On old, rough-barked trees the mounding would assist' somewhat,
but the condition of the bark would still make it difficult to fiuil the
borers. Such trees, I am sorrj' to say, I have thus far neglected,
and perhaps to this circumstance I owe it in part that borers have
been plcutier in my orchards during the past two years than ever
before. I propose now to take these cases in hand, and the first
step will be, after a moderate application of sand, to api)ly an
offensive wash to these trunks for, say, two feet from the ground.

66 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCEETT.

The virtue of such applications is disputed by some, but there is so
much testimony in their favor that I have great hope of success. I
find many recipes in the papers and in my scrap-books. One that
has a promising look is a kerosene emulsion, described in the Rural
New Yorker as being used b}' the orange growers of Florida. It is
made as follows: "Formula: — common or whale-oil soap, half a
pound, dissolved in one gallon of boiling water ; add two gallons of
kerosene and churn while hot. In using, dilute with ten parts
water. This makes thirty-three gallons of solution at a cost of one
cent per gallon, where you have cheap kerosene." This mixture I
have already used for spraying lousy trees, and apparently with suc-
cess. I would apply it, perhaps double strength, to the trunks of
trees b^' means of a hand force-pump, about June 15, July 1 and 15.
Another application, recommended b^' Prof. Cook of the Michigan
Agricultural College, is compounded as follows: "Dissolve two
quarts of soft soap in a gallon of water. Heatthis till it commences
to boil, then remove from the fire and at once add one pint of crude
carbolic acid. Stir well and keep in a close vessel. To apply this,"
saj's Prof. Cook, "I have found a common shoe or blacking brush,
one with the handle diagonal to the body of the brush, most excel-
lent. The use of these substances is to prevent the beetle from the
work of egg-laying, and as the obnoxious odor of the carbolic acid
mixture is ver^- persistent, it retains its virtue longer than does the
soft soap where used alone." I would prefer to dilute Prof. Cook's
solution until it could be applied through a force pump. Rtuiedies
of this class have been often recommended, and they have been dis-
cussed in the meetings of the Pomological Societ}-, but I think there
is yet a lack of exact knowledge on the subject, and that it presents
an excellent field for study and experiment.

In the first hunt for the borer, I employ a sharp knife and a wire
or a narrow piece of spring steel ; mallet and chisel, never. If the
borer has penetrated so deep that he cannot be reached by the wire,
it is sure that he has done nearly* all the harm he is capable of, and
it is much better to let him alone than to mutilate the tree badly. I
have not yet found a pair of eyes sharp enough to discover every
trace of a borer the first time, and therefore never trust to one
examination a year. I have always two thorough canvasses, and
generally three, and would prefer even four, two between August 1
and October 20, and two between May 1 and June 10.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 67

In closing, I will venture the suggestion that preventive measures
are not in all eases the best to adopt, and that the deposition of the
borer's eggs is a case in point. Provided we have a plantation of
young trees protected at the very base by mounds or other means,
it is better to let the beetles lay their eggs in the smooth stems,
where we can destroy them, than, by extending our preventive
measures to the whole stem, compel them to resort to the limbs,
where it will be more difficult to find them, or even drive them across
the road into a neighbor's plantation, whence in a few years their
numerous progeny will return to vex us.

DISCUSSION.

The discussion of the subject of Mr. Atkins' paper was extended
to considerable length, occupying the remainder of the morning ses-
sion. It brought out but few points of interest in addition to the
common stock of information on the subject, and the report is con-
densed accordingly.

Mr. Carey objected to the use of tarred paper around the trunks
of trees ; and related instances in which it had caused injury to the
bark, especially on young trees.

Mr. Atherton thought, from his experience, that the borers com-
mence to lay their eggs earlier than stated by Mr. Atkins. He had
no doubt the}^ commenced in May in some localities, and again in
August and September.

Mr. Briggs advised examining the trees twice in every season —
spring and fall. He agreed with Mr. Atherton in respect to the
time when the borers deposit their eggs. Thought the earth should
be replaced around the tree after the examination, and recommended
preparations of carbolic acid for repelling the borers and for other
beneficial uses about tlie trees.

J. C. Dudley, of Readfield, said he had had but little trouble
from this species of borer, but more from another species working
np around tlie limbs. Recommended washing the trees with soap,
and scraping.

Adjourned.

68 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

Met at 2 o'clock P. M.

Voted, That a selection of specimens of the fruit on exhibition be
made and forwarded to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society ;
and Messrs. Blossom, Sweetser and Briggs were appointed as a
committee for that purpose.

The following paper was then read, the author remarking that he
had omitted considerable portions of the paper as originally' pre-
pared, on account of similar matter having been presented in the
papers previously read at this meeting :

SOME DEFECTS IX ORCHARD MAXAGEMEXT.

By L. H. Blossom, of Turner.

"What are the chief defects in our present system of orchard
management? This question embraces a large field for discussion,
and I shall attempt to touch upon but a few of the most important
points.

In conversation with a noted farmer of our county, a short time
since, I asked him if he was going to attend the pomological meet-
ing at Gardiner. "■AVell," said he, "I don't know; what are you
going to talk about down there?" '-Oh," I replied, "we are going
to try to learn something new about fruit raising, if we can."
"•Well," he replied, "if that is what you are going to talk about I
shall stay at home. The fruit question is all worn out, has been
talked to death, and is worn threadbare, and getting monotonous.
No, I shan't go. I know all I want to about fruit raising now. It's
all a humbug and I won't go." With that we parted.

Now, Mr. President, I know the subject is an old one, 3'et an
ever new one. It has been written upon, been talked about, and
studied upon by hosts of pomologists all over this broad land of
ours, and the end is not reached yet. We are still somewiiat in the
daik in regard to several of the most important questions of fruit
raising, and I hope to see them well discussed before the end ©f
this meeting. In the hope of bringing out that discussion, I will
mention some of the most prominent defects in the management of
our orchards. And first among those I shall mention will be the
size and age of our fruit trees when set in the orchard. For me, I
want a three-year-old tree, at least not over four years old, and

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 69

from four to six feet high, and in diameter at the top of the ground,
from one inch to one and a half inches, well rooted and the head low-
down. Give me such a tree as this, and a good, rich, strong, rocky
soil to set it in, and when well set out in its proper position, I
believe the fight is well begun and the battle half won. I remem-
ber last season I was passing by a newly set orchard, and the trees
looked so much different fiom most of the newly set trees that I
took the liberty to go and examine them ; and while so doing, the
owner put in an appearance, and in conversation with him I found
that those trees were selected according to his own peculiar ideas of
a tree fit to set in the orchard. They were from six to eight years
old in the nursery, the bases oi the trees were from one and one-half
to two and one-half inches in diameter, and the tops were six feet
from the ground. The tops had been cut off from ^-ear to year, and
new shoots starting out, the trees had made from twelve to sixteen
inches of new wood the last year they stood in the nursery. I
asked him win- he purchased that style of trees. He said he be-
lieved in starting right, and that it was cheaper to set trees of a
bearing size and age, even if ^-ou had to pay from five to ten cents
more for them than you did for these little three-year-old shoots.
Now, I believe that that man committed a grave error at the start.

I want to say a few words about those insects injurious to the
young ti'ees, of which there are manA-. Among the most destruc-
tive, I will mention the borer, the louse, and the different species of
caterpillar, against which we have got to keep an ever-watchful eye,
or the error will cost us our orchards in the end. I think the worst
of all the insects I have mentioned, the one that has cost the
orchardist more than all the rest put together, is the borer, and how
best to dispose of him is a conundrum not j-et fully solved. Some
recommend a solution of barn manure and water with a liberal
sprinkling of Paris Green, made of the consistency of a thin paste,
and with an old broom paint tlie butt of the trees from the ground
up a foot or more. While this ma\- act as a preventive to a certain
extent, it is not safe to depend wholly upon this remedy, as a heavy
shower or two will wash the most of it off. The best remedy I have
found 3ot is the knife and wire.

Again, what is the best method of thinning the fruit on too heav-
ily bearing trees? We often hear the complaint of trees over-bear-
ing, and the fruit being small and poor. Now to such I would sav,
go and give your orchards something to eat, something from which

70 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

the trees can make good fruit of; then prune your trees out so the
sunliglit can enter and ripen the fruit. I don't believe in thinning
out the fruit and leaving twice as many branches as ought to be on
the tree, but prune intelligently and I think the fruit will be all
rigiit.

Of one more pest I wish to speak, and then I will close. That is
the apple maggot. This little insect is, comparatively speaking, a
new comer, and we all should study how best to receive him, and
also how to get rid of him. We find them most common in our
early fruits, in sweet apples especially. I know of some orchard-
ists, when they find their fruit infested with the maggot, who leave
the fruit on the ground to decay, which is most decidedly wrong.
My experience with this pest in my orchards has been confined to
two varieties of sweet apples — one a fall apple, the other a winter
apple. I first discovered them three j'ears ago in the early fruit,
and two years ago I discovered them in the winter variety. My
method of treatment has been this : To gather the fruit as soon as I
discovered them in the apple, cook the apples and then feed them to
the hogs. In this way I believe we can exterminate this most
dangerous pest. In fact, it worked so well that in the case of the
Avinter sweet apple I failed to find one of them infested with the
maggot at the time of harvesting last fall. So I put them in the
cellar and used them as we wanted until gone, without finding one
afiected. If any one has a better mode of disposing of them than
mine I want to know what it is.

The Committee on the President's Address presented the following

REPORT.

The committee appointed to consider the address of the Presi-
dent beg leave to report : First, that they approve of his sugges-
tion of the desirabilit}' of teaching horticulture in our schools, and
that to aid this, public lectures be delivered from time to time by
prominent men versed in the subject. Second, the suggestion iu
the address upon the manner of packing fruit is an impoitaut one,
and they recommend that it be taken into consideration by all our
fruit growers and fruit dealers ; for the reputation which we have
already established in the European market is an excellent one,
second to that of no other country, and it is very desirable that this
reputation be not only sustained, but be still further advanced by

STATE POJIOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 71

honest packing and reliable branding. Maine fruit can stand on
its own merits.

And the committee still further recommend another suggestion —
a more general interest in the work of our Societ}' which has done
so much for the cause of pomology in tiie past, by the individual
and united action of everj' member to solicit and encourage others
to join our numbers.

Report accepted.

The Committee on New Fruits presented the following

REPORT.

The committee express their thanks to the several exhibitors for
the interest they have taken in presenting specimens to the notice of
the committee ; and while recognizing the delicacy of their position
with reference to the individual tastes and opinions of the exhibitors,
they have endeavored to discharge their duty according to the best
of their ability and judgment.

While the committee recognize the desirability of introducing and
propagating new varieties of first-class quality, they would dis-
courage the introduction of those of inferior or ordinary quality, so
long as we have so large a number of good varieties already well
known in the markets.

The following ai'e the principal varieties to which our attention
has been called :

Cooper's Market. Specimens presented by A. E. Andrews of
Gardiner. Size medium, color red. A late keeper and good for
cooking. Cannot be recommended, as we already have enough of
that class.

Mann Apple. Exhibited b}' D. J. Briggs of Turner. Fruit
coarse in texture and inferior in quality. Not to be recommended.

Mcintosh Red. Exhibited by Orrin McFadden of Dresden. Size
medium, color and qualit}' good.

Norton's Melon. By W. R. AVharff of Gardiner. Size large,
splashed and striped with red. Quality good, not best. Lacks
firmness of flesh.

Ontario. Shown by J. Pope & Son and G. B. Sawyer. Fruit
of good size. Yellow, splashed and slightly striped with red.
Flesh slightly coarse. Quality good, rather acid. Specimens a
little past their season.

72 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Specimens exhibited b}' E. TV". Dunbar of Damiiriscotta. Gener-
all}- conceded to be the Westfield Seek-No-Further. Past the season,
so that the quality could not be determined.

Bnssels. P^xhibited by C. G. Atkins and grown by E. G. Colby
of Bucksport, from New York trees. Evidenth' the so-called Ameri-
can Golden Russet of Western New York, and not the true Ameri-
can Golden Russet or Bullock's Pippin.

Specimens of a seedling sweet apple, grown and exhibited by C.
H. Page of Winthrop, who considers it a superior baking apple.
The committee do not regard it as of sufficient merit to warrant its
propagation.

Specimens by H. B. Williams of Sidnej'. Tree bought from a
New York nurser}' for R. I. Greening, but not true. Of large size,
good for cooking.

Seedling by S.B. Friend of Winthrop, who says: "It originated
in Winthrop. Tree, hardy. A profitable market variety', keeping
till May." Specimens past their season, but so far as we could
judge of it we have man}- better varieties, and cannot recommend
it.

Report accepted.

The Committee on tlie Exhibition of Fruit at this meeting sub-
mitted the following

EEPOKT.

The exhibition is remarkable for the uniform excellence of the
specimens and the general good character of the varieties exhibited.
Nearly all the specimens are in a state of most perfect preservation,
and afford additional proof of the late-keeping quality of Maine
apples.

We have indicated the best three collections in their order, and,
excluding these from further competition, have indicated the best
collections from each of the several counties from which there is
more than one collection, in the same manner. We have also indi-
cated in some instances the best and second best dishes of the prin-
cipal varieties.

The three best collections are :

First. S. R. Sweetser, Cumberland Centre, nineteen varieties,
•viz :

Baldwin, Ben Davis,

Northern Spy, Hurlbut,

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETT. 73

Iliihbardston, Spitzenburg,

Tied Russet, Yellow Bellflower,

Roxbiiiv Rnsset, Wagener,

R. I. Greeuing, King of Tompkins County,

Red Canada, Newtown Pippin,

Rauibo, Westfield Seek-No-Fiirther,

Jewett's Red, Three varieties Unknown.

Second. Miss Alice Foster, Gardiner, eighteen varieties :

Baldwin, Mother,

Yellow Bellflower, Nodhcad,

Famense, Ribston Pippin,

Fall Harvey, Roxbury Russet,

Graveustein, Golden Russet,

Jersey Greening, Talman Sweet,

R. I. Greening, Holmes Sweet,

Hublmi'dston, Richards Sweet,

Minister, Ladies' Sweet.

Third. W. R. Wharff, Gardiner, fourteen varieties :

Hubbardston, Yellow Bellflower,

Norton's !Melon, Roxbury Russet,

Northern Spy, R. I. Greening,

Golden Russet, Black Oxford,

Wiuthrop Greening, Wine Apple,

English Russet, Hubbardstoo Pippin,

Ribston Pippin, King of Tompkins County.

ANDEOSCOGGIN COUNTY.
First. D. J. Briggs. South Turner, nine varieties:

Talman Sweet, Fall Pippin,

Northern Spy, English Russet,

Black Oxford, Roxbury Russet,

Baldwin, One variety Unknown.
King of Tompkins County,

Second. L. H. Blossom, Turner, eight varieties:
Baldwin, Talman Sweet,

Black Oxford, Roxbury Russet,

Northern Si)y, Spitzenburg,

Cooper's Market, R. 1. Greening.

h STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

KENNEBEC COUNTY.
First. J, M. Carpenter, Fittston, thirteen varieties ;

Winthrop Greening, Northern Spy,

Blue Pearraain, Pittston Beauiy,

Nodhead, Yellow Bellflower,

Fallawater, Talman 8weet,

Roxburv Russet, Golden Russet,

R. I. Greening, Danvers Winter Sweet.

Second. E. A. Lapham, Pittston, sixteen varieties:

Talman Sweet, Gravenstein,

Yellow Bellflower, Peck's Pleasant.

Northern Spy, Fall Pippin,

Ribston Pippin, Ben Davis,

Hubbardston, American Golden Russet,

Roxbury Russet, Winthrop Greening,

Baldwin, Two varieties Unknown.
R. I. Greening,

Third, p]. G. Hooker, Gardiner, fourteen varieties :

Northern Sp}', Spice Sweet,

Y^ellow Bellflower, Talman Sweet,

One variety' Unknown, Hubbardston,

R. I. Greening, Roxbury Russet,

N. Y. Steele Baldwin., Ribston Pippin,

Winter Sweet, Winter White,

Russet, Peck's Pleasant.

A. E. Andrews, Gardiner, eight varieties :

Yellow Bellflower, Northern Spy,

Peck's Pleasant, Roxbury Russet,

Hubbardston, Talman Sweet,

Red Canada, Best. Cooper's Market,

J. Pope & Son, Manchester, nine varieties:

King of Tompkins' Co., Second. Peck's Pleasant,

Baldwin, Mother, Best.

Fallawater, Starkey,

Talman Sweet, Minister.
Ontario,

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

J. R. Peacock, Gardiner, ten varieties :

Yellow Bellflower, Black Oxford,

Talman Sweet, R. I. Greening,

Vandevere, Nodhead,

Roxbury Russet, Northern Spy, Best.

Hubbardston, Col vert.

R. H. Gardiner, Gardiner, ten varieties:

Yellow Bellflower, Best. Peck's Pleasant,

Northern Sp}-, Ribs ton Pippin,

Blue Pearmain, Talman Sweet,

Baldwin, Fameuse,

Richard's Graft (Strawberry), Poiter.

S. R. Lapham, thirteen varieties:

Baldwin, Best.

Hubbardston,

R. I. Greening,

Roxbury Russet,

Golden Russet,

Yellow Bellflower, Second.

Augustus Jordan, Gardiner, one variety :

Yellow Bellflower.

Talman Sweet,

Ben Davis,

Late Strawberry,

Porter,

Three varieties Unknown.

George Wood worth, four varieties

Yellow Bellflower,
Talman Sweet.

R. I. Greening,

One variety Unknown.

John 0. Willey, six varieties :
Hubbardston,
Roxbury Russet, Second.
Baldwin,

Charles H. Page, Winthrop, four varieties :

Jewett's Red, Hubbardston,

Yellow Bellflower. Peck's Pleasant.

Yellow Bellflower,
Talman Sweet,
Red Canada.

LINCOLN COUNTY.

First. G. B. Sawyer, Wiscasset, seventeen varieties:

R. I. Greening, Peck's Pleasant,

Hurlburt, King of Tompkins County.

76 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Vandevero, Hubbardston,

Ontario, Baldwin,

Fameuse, Second. Northern Spy,

Winthrop Greening, Danvers Winter Sweet,

Starkey, Three varieties Unknown.
Ly scorn,

Second. Henry Ingalls, Wiscasset, nine varieties :

King of Tompkins County, American Golden Russet,

Wagener, • Swaar,

Mother, Danvers Winter Sweet,

Yellow Bellflower, Bottle Greening.
Northern Spy,

E. W. Dunbar, Damariscotta :

One variet}', Unknown.

Orrin McFadden, Dresden, four varieties:

Mcintosh Red, Western N. Y. Russet,

Wagener, Best. Northern Spy.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

G. K. vStaples, Temple, fourteen varieties :

Peck's Pleasant, R. I. Greening,

Golden Russet, Seek-No-Further,

Col vert, Hubbardston,

King of Tompkins County, Rambo,

Twenty Ounce, Talraan Sweet,

Baldwin, Mann Apple,

Northern Spy, Derry Pippin.

HANCOCK COUNTY.

C. G. 'Atkins, Bneksport, seven varieties :

American Golden Russet, Rnsset,

Hunt Russet, Jonathan,

Roxbury Russet, R^(sset.
Russet,

Mrs. M. E. Thomas, Rockland, one parlor bouquet.

Miss Sophronia Hopkins, Gardiner, one pot i)lant (Primrose).

Miss L. M. Pope, Manchester, cut flowers in baskets.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 77

Several otlier contributions were received after the list of entries-
was made up and our examination had been completed.

Report accepted.

Letters were read from the following absent meml)ers and others,
viz :

Granville Fernald, Bridgton, formerly Corresponding Secretary.

Mrs. M. E. Thomas, Rockland, accompanying a bouquet of
flowers.

S. R. Leland, Farmington.

Dr. J. A. Morton, Bethel.

F. E. Nowell, Fairfield, Member of Executive Committee, de-
tained by sickness.

Henr\- S. Smith, Monmouth, announcing the recent death of his
father, Alfred Smith.

S. W. Shaw, Mi not.

C. G. Atkins, Bucksport.

EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS.

Granville Ferxalo — "Although not now actively engaged in
the cultivation of orchard fruits, I am by no means an uninterested
reader or observer of the evidences of improved modes of fruit farm-
ing ; and I fully believe in the important mission of the Maine State
Pomological Society. It is a great educator, and whoever comes in
contact with it receives light and stimulus to aid in building up the
rural industrial fabric, and developing to all needed uses and extents
the wonderful native resources of our soil and climate. In my
travels, I have observed in every place unmistakable proofs that the
influence of our State Society- has reached the remotest parts of the
State."

S. W. SiiAW — "I am an invalid this winter and shall not be able
to attend our meeting at Gardiner, to-morrow, as I would be very
glad to do. I trust the time will be fully and profitably occupied,
awakening an increased interest in the work of the Society, and
adding materially to its permanence and future success. Without
attempting to write a formal paper for the occasion, I will simply
invite attention to some facts and considerations, which I hope may,
in some way, be brought to the attention of the meeting.

It is well understood that nearly all farm products have sold since
the last harvest at very unsatisfactory prices. In many cases the

78 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

home markets became almost wholly glutted. Over-production is
doubtless a partial cause for this state of things. Outside compe-
tition is also a matter of concern to us, of which we are likelj* to
have more in the future.

Under this state of things the apple is assuming a preeminence
over almost every other crop sold from the farm. Since the opening
of the shipping season a brisk demand has sprung up at remuner-
ative prices, shippers taking them at the homes of the growers.
They are now paying two dollars per barrel for Baldwins in fair con-
dition.

The foreign market is almost certain to improve as our people be-
come better acquainted with the best methods of harvesting and
caring for the crop, preparatory for the market. Reports of sales
in England indicate that the superiority of Maine fruit is there be-
coming better understood. In Boston, Maine apples, for shipping
purposes, are quoted twenty-five cents per barrel higher than Massa-
chusetts fruit, all going to show that whatever crop fails to find a
satisfactor\' market, the apple, in the future, is not likely to be one
of that class. The proper selection of varieties demands careful
consideration. In Androscoggin County that matter is taking care
of itself. Shippers prefer and take all Baldwins offered, wliile other
varieties are taken sparingly. Consequently, the Baldwin, for that
reason, as well as from its adaptability to different soils and its pro-
ductiveness, is the general favorite here.

The question. Who should raise apples? also demands attention.
Not every one, certainly, who owns land should undertake it largely,
though every owner of onh' one acre should cultivate a few trees.
Orchards will not flourish on some soils — some locations are unfa-
vorable to their growth, and he should let orcharding alone who has
no faith in it and regards an apple tree as an unsightly thing or only
as a cumberer of the ground."

The remainder of the afternoon session was occupied with a

DISCUSSION OF VAKIETIES.

Mr. GiLiJEUT, being called upon to open the discussion, said: 1
hardly know what branch of work, in regard to the fruit lists, you
would like to take up. It hardly seems to me possible or necessary
that we should take it in order, and make an examination of the
entire list. There are some varieties urged upon our attention

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETT. 79

which are not genei'ally well known and which, it seems to me, that
it might be well to discuss, in order to find their merits and de-
merits. The Alexander is still attracting some attention. I have
learned something in regard to it, during the past year, from inquiry
as to the demand for it in the market; of course that affects the
desirabilit}' of the fruit. It certainl}- appears to be undesirable for
some sections of the State. Being in Portland last fall, and study-
ing, of course, the fruit stands and the fine show of fruit made, I
saw, on nearly everj' stand in the citj', large dishes, and sometimes
counters, filled with the Alexander. It makes a verj' fine show and
attracts attention. I asked the proprietor of one of the stands in
regard to it, and if they had a good sale for it. Said he, " No, we
buy about one liushel and keep them for show. It is not an apple
that sells." If this is the appreciation of the market in regard to
the apple, certainly we do not want it as a market fruit. It is classed,
of course, with cooking apples, but I have no sympathy with an
apple that is onlj- a cooking apple, because it sells for a low price.
AVe have the Alexander, Twenty Ounce, Duchess of Oldenburg
and Colvert, which are all of the same nature, and while good, rich
apples sell at $2.00 per barrel, these sell at §1.00 or $1.25. It
costs no more to raise good apples than poor ones. I know of no
reason wh3' we should recommend these cooking apples to the pub-
lic attention. There is no room for them in au}' section where
better apples can be grown, and I would include the Alexander in
this list. It is, in the northern section of the State, a richer and
better apple than when grown on the coast, but it is not wanted in
the central and southern parts of the State.

If, Mr. President, 3'ou have not a list of such fruits as j'ou wish to
take up, I would then call up the Mcintosh Red, referred to just now
by the committee.

Mr. Blossom. I will say, in regard to that, that I have two trees
in bearing, which probably bore last year one-half barrel of apples,
and I failed to find one that was eatable, they cracked as badly as
the Flemish Beaut}- pear, and were all spotted and very inferior in
appearance. I wish I could raise as good specimens as those here
on exhibition.

Mr. Carpenter. Mr. McFadden of Dresden, who exhibits it
here, has one tree of it standing in a favorable situation, east of the
Kennebec River, and he speaks very highly of it.

80 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Mr. Gilbert. I have been compelled to investigate tliis fruit
somewhat. It has been offered for sale, and pressed very earnestly
to the attention of our fruit growers ; and, in order to make it
especially attractive, an extra price has been put on tlie trees ; and,
being frequently consulted iii regard to the merits of the fruit, I
have foit compelled to learn what I cbuld in regard to it, and, that I
might be certain in regard to the apple and that it was correctly
named, I sent to Dr. Hoskins of Newport, Vermont, for samples of
the fruit. He very kindly sent me some, carefully packed, and the
apple now set before us for examination is the same variety of fruit.
It is, without question, the Mcintosh Red, and the gentleman from
Turner saj^s that if he could raise as good fruit as that, he would
like to raise it. Now I would ask him, what for? Has he really
considered the reason, and whether he does want to raise it, or not?
In the first place, what are the characteristics of the apple? Let us
be careful that we study it aright, and find out all about it. The
tree is hardy, and the indications are that it is a good bearer. It is
one of that family- of fruits which is called the Fameuse family, and
our fruit growers know what that means. It has the characteristics
of the Fameuse ; and those are, soft flesh and thick, tough skin,
and every one of these varieties is subject to this mould, which
attaches itself to the Fameuse, and especiall}' so on high lands.
The Wealth}' and the Bellfiower are also grown better on 1 )w lands.
If you have such land, and feel that you must grow fruit on it, you
can introduce this variety. The quality is very good indeed. The
indications are that it is not a late keeper — it raaj^ carr}' well Lill the
middle of winter. You will find that, as it becomes soft, the skin
will pull away from the fruit ver\' easily, and the pulp will become
soft while the skin is firm. The fruit is soft and does not handle
well ; it bruises easily, like the Bellflower, and it has to be handled
with extreme care. It may be desiral)le to have it for home use,
but for a staple product, and to fill this great demand which we are
all aiming to meet, it does not possess those qualities which will
enable it to be handled to so good advantage as the old standard
Baldwin. I don't believe that we want au}- more of these varieties
that are onl}' good for home use.

Mr. Gardiner. I want to speak of an apple which I think is
not generall}- grown in this vicinit}*, which I have always called the
Strawberry, but I have discovered that Downing gives the name of
it as UicharcVs Graft. We have had it on my place forty or fifty

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 81

3-ears. M}' impression is that it is of English origin. It is a very
nice apple. The3' have kept ver\' well indeed up to this time, but I
should not consider it as good for eating, except in November or
December. It bears every year, and is a ver\- good apple, but
might not be profitable for a market apple.

Mr. SwEETSER. I think the apple that Mr. Gardiner speaks of is
the Moody apple. It originated in New Hampshire. We have it
in the Portland market, and consider it a very rich, nice apple, and
it is very handsome. All I know in regard to it is what I have
read and seen of it in the market, and I have bought twenty trees
on the strength of that. My idea is that, in localities where there
is a home market for it, it is a very valuable apple, but for shipping,
1 think no apple will take the place of the Baldwin.

Mr. Sawyer. I wish to call attention to tlie

StarTxey^ an apple which we have known for a good many years,
and which originated in Vassalboro', in this State. It seems to me
it is worthy of more general attention than it has received. It is an
apple of remarkably fine quality, good appearance, a thrifty grower,
bears annually and abundantly, and is a better apple, it seems to
me, than any one of twenty varieties we might name. I think it is
better than the Wagener, Mcintosh, Hubbardston and a good many
others on the list. Tiiere are other gentlemen who know more
about it than I do, and I only desire to call attention to it.

The President. All I should say would be in its favor — that it
is an earlv and abundant bearer, and a verj' choice eating apple,
and that there is a great demand for it wherever it has been intro-
duced.

Mr. Gilbert. How does it compare with the Baldwin in size?

The President. It is not quite as large ; the}' all grow very fair,
however, and there is but little waste.

Mr. Gilbert. What is the character ol the wood ?

The President. It is good, firm, white wood. Here is another
apple called the

Dean, which originated in Temple. It is one of our choice fall
varieties — white flesh, and so mellow that when it is fit for eating
you can press it in your hand.

Mr. Gilbert. I think there is, in quality, no better apple among
us, and certainly it is far superior to many other varieties. It is a
heavy, firm fruit, that handles well in packing.

6

82 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETT.

Mr. Briggs. One advantage is that it is a very smootli, large
and well-shaped apple, and its size and general appearance recom-
mend it for a market variety.

Ontario. Mr. Sawyer. The scions of this variety were sent to
us a few 3'ears ago by Mr. D. W. Beadle, Secretary- of the Ontario
Fruit Growers' Association. It is said to be a hybrid from the
Northern Spy and Wagener, both of which it resembles in some
respects.

Mr. SwEETSER. Judging from the fruit as seen here, I should
not think it as good as either of those varieties.

Westjield Seek-No- Further. Mr. Briggs. It is a hardy tree, but
the apples are not very good for eating. It bears well and has a
tolerably good sale. The apple will keep till apples come again,
with proper care.

Wealthy. Mr. Sweetser. It is not as good an apple, in my
judgment, as the Mcintosh Red. It is quite small. It is claimed
that it will keep till March ; but I should call it an early apple.

Mr. Gilbert. I have made some inquiry in regard to its keeping
qualities. Its quality of flavor is in its favor, but I have yet to
learn that it is of any especial value ; and I think we should be very
cautious about recommending it.

Talman Siveet. Hon. J. L Stevens. Is there no reraed}' for
the unnatural growth that spoils a considerable portion of the frnit
•of the Talman Sweet? One side will be round and well developed
and the other shrunken. Possibly it requires a peculiar soil ; mine
is a clayey loam.

Mr. Sv^eetser. I have had but one tree of it, and if I could do
no better wnth another than I have with that, I never want any more.
The apples are generally small. I am ashamed to take tliem to
market. The tree stands in as good a place as I have. I think it
jnay be something in the soil.

Mr. Carpenter. By taking better care of the trees we will grt
better fruit. The fruit is firm and sells well, if we only have enough
to make it an object. I have no doubt that they can be improved
in some way.

Mr. Sawyer. I think the Danvers Siveet is a more profitable
apple than the Talman.

Miss Foster. I think just the contrary.

Mr. Carpenter. My Danvers Sweet apples grow well, but do
not keep well.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 83

Mr. Sawyer. I think that whoever can raise the Danvers Sweet
suceessfiill}', has as good an apple as the Tahiian Sweet. It is a
thrift}', hardy tree, bearing some every year, and ever}- other 3-ear
abundantly, as the Baldwins do.

Mr. Gilbert. I have learned that the agents are selling the
Rolfe apple. I think it would be well for the Soeiet}- to put itself
on record in regard to this fruit.

The President. I saw the apple last winter for the first time,
and liked the appearance of it ver\' mucli. It is not a veiy late
keeper.

Walbridge. Mr. Briggs, It is a good sized apple, colors well,
a good winter apple, but not a good keeper.

Adjourned.

EVENING SESSION.

The committee appointed to select and forward a collection of
apples to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, reported tliat in
the performance of the duty assigned to them they had selected from
the fruit on exhibition, and forwarded as directed, with the com-
pliments of the Society, a collection of fort3--tlu*ee varieties of
apples, as follows: American Golden Russet, Baldwin, Ben Davis,
Black Oxford, Bottle Greening, Cooper's Market, Danvers Sweet,
Derry Pippin, English Russet, Fallawater, Fameuse, Fall Harvey,
Gravensttin, Hubbardston, Hubbardton Pippin, Hunt Russet,
Hurlbut, Jewett's Red, Jonathan, King of Tompkins Count}', Lyscora.
Mcintosh Red, Minister, Moodv, Mother, Newtown Pipi)in, Norton's
Melon, Northern Spy, Ontario, Peck's Pleasant, Rambo, Red Canada,
Red Russet, Rhode Island Greening, Ribston Pippin, Roxbury Rus-
set, Spitzenburgh, Starkey, Talman Sweet, Yandevere, Wagener,
Winthrop Greening, Yellow Bellflower.

Report accepted.

A letter was subsequenth' received from Mr. Robert Manning,
Secretary, in which, after acknowledging the receipt of this collec-
tion, he said : "In behalf of this Societ}' I desire to return thanks
to the Maine Pomological Society, for this fine collection of apples,
which were of much interest to our pomologists. They were placed
on exhibition on the 28th of February, and as we happened on that
day to have some fine roses, camellias, etc., contributed quite freely,
as also vegetables, the whole made up much the best display we have

84 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

had this season, to which your apples were a very valuable con-
tribution."

Mr. W. H. Keith of Winthrop, an extensive orchardist, and also
large!}- engaged in packing and evaporating frnit, was invited to
open the discussion on any subject suggested by his own experience.
He said,

Mr. President: I did not come in with the expectation of being
called upon to say anything, but rather to listen to those who have
had more experience than I. However, I will just say that this year
T have been using new barrels, and that I like them for the reason
that it did not take more than half as long to pack the apples as it
did to get those barrels read}' that we used to pick up. T think
that it would be a wise plan for all of us to adopt the practice of
getting new barrels to pack our apples in.

Question. Please tell us what barrels you use and what they cost.

Mr. Keith. My barrels were made in Vienna, Maine. They
are supposed to be of the same size as flour barrels, but I have
never compared them. The staves were made of spruce, but they
can also be made of fir or poplar, to good advantage ; and the hoops
generally had the bark left on them. They make a veiy neat, in-
viting-looking barrel. I believe if we would make a little effort, it
would enhance the value of our product of apples in making sales.
I don't know what the price of flour barrels has been this 3'ear,
we used to buy them- and I think we had to pay twenty-five cents
for them — the same price that I paid for the others at the factor}'.

Mr. Briggs. We pa}' twenty cents in Androscoggin County.

Mr. Sawyer. In our locality we pay fifteen cents.

Mr. Keith. Some of our people have bought barrels in Augusta
for fifteen cents.

Mr. Sweetser. We have to pay twenty cents in Portland.

Mr. Keith. I think the only obstacle to establishing a barrel
factory would be this : there are a great many wlio would not pay
twenty-five cents for a new barrel, if they could get an old one for
fifteen cents.

In regard to evaporating apples, I have been in the business for
the last five or six years. I use the American evaporator. It takes
a crew of five or six men to run the evaporator properly, and it
costs seventy-five cents per day to heat it. This year I have evap-
orated about nine hundred barrels of apples. I had quite a large
quantity of New York Russets, and also of Winthrop Greenings,

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 86

which I evaporated this year, but the Baldwin is the best apple we
have for evaporating. The Roxbury Russet produces more in pounds
than any other apple that we have used.

Mr. Sawyer. Is the evaporated fruit injured by keeping from
one season to another?

Mr. Keith. I think not, if kept in good condition.

Mr. Sweetsek. How is the Red Astrachan for evaporating?

Mr. Keith. I consider it a fine apple for that purpose.

Mr. Briggs. Do you utilize the refuse from the factory?

Mr. Keith. I never have. A barrel of second quality Baldwins
will yield about five pounds of evaporated apples. I reckon my
expenses from twenty to twenty-five cents per barrel, which would
be about five cents per pound for the cost of the apples. We can
safel}' reckon them at twelve and one-half cents per pound on an
average. Even this year I do not reckon on selling at less than ten
cents per pound.

Mr. Sawyer. Do 3'ou run your evaporator in the winter?

Mr. Keith. I usually finish work in November.

Mr. Sawyer. Do you burn coal or wood?

Mr. Keith. I burned coal this year, but I have usually burned wood.

The President. Is it not with evaporated fruit as with green
fruit — should not there be a large difl^erence made in the price of
the product?

Mr. Keith. Yes sir, that is what is depressing the market now.

The Pkesident. Do you use anything to whiten the product?

Mr. Keith. Yes, it has to be bleached. It does not impair the
quality of the fruit, however, if it is properly done. It is onl^' the
fumes of the sulphur when it is put on, after they are dried.

The PitESiDENT. Then there is no necessity of it, except for the
looks ?

Mr. Keith. That is all. The first year I evaporated apples, I
did not bleach them ; then it was not generally practiced as it is
now ; but 1 found that the next year the demand was to have it
bleached. I suppose there is quite a difference in the kind of evap-
orator used. The American evaporator is undoubtedlv the best one
for any farmer's use. This evaporator can be set up anywhere,
under cover ; out of doors, it can be used to great advantage.

Mr. Saavyer. Is there no waste of heat by its being out of doors?

Mr. Keith. No, sir. The small evaporator, the second size,
costs $75.00, and any one who does not have more than two hundred

86 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

bushels of apples a year, could easily get them through on that
evaporator. The larger size costs $200.00. The price is $175.00,
but the freight makes it cost more. Only one man is needed to run
the smaller one. One girl can run it, unless you sbould run it
night and da}', and in that case you would want two men. That
will turn out from three to four bushels in twelve hours. In regard
to selling the second quality fruit, if you can dispose of it at $1.25
per barrel, and it is not worth any more than it is this year, 3'ou
can easily figure that it would be better to dispose of it green, but
if apples are worth more, as the}' were last 3'ear, it is better to
CA'aporate them.

I would like to inquire of the gentlemen present if they have ever
experimented with any of the ditlerent kinds of commercial fertil-
izers, for their trees?

Mr. R. C. Plaisted. I have used nothing of the kind. I have
used ashes, which I obtain in this city.

Mr. Keith. I suppose there is no doubt that, with most soils,
ashes are as good as anything we can use. J have used a prepara-
tion put up by the Bowker concern, which gives me veiy good
satisfaction, but I have not used it extensively enough to recommend
it. For myself, if I could get plenty of ashes, I would not wish for
anything else.

Mr. Briggs. What do you consider ashes worth for fruit culture?

Mr. Keith. I would pay twentA-five cents per bushel for two
hundred bushels, every year.

The President. I would pay thirty cents per bushel for two
hundred bushels. How do you apply the ashes?

Mr. Keith. Around the body of the tree. If I had plenty of
them, I would extend them out as far as the branches go.

Mr. Sawyer. I would like to call attention to the article written
by Dr. Nichols, in the report of last year. The title of this article
is, " The Sweet Principle In Fruits". It is a very valuable and in-
teresting paper. [Paragraph read.]

Mr. Plaisted. I find bone dust more profitable than ashes, on
grass land.

The President. I want to say that ashes are about worthless on
some lands, and on others the}' are valuable.

Mr. Keith. What is your process of using the bone dust?

Mr. Plaisted. I simply scatter it broadcast.

Mr. Sawyer. Can you advise us what manufacture is tbe best?

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 87

Mr. Plaisted. There was a factor}' in Gardiner, formerh-. Tlie
easiest way is to have a boiler and steam the bone twenty-four
hours. The steara dissolves the bones and the^' can then be readily
ground or pounded.

Mr. Keith. I suppose you could not advise that way for all of
us, small farmers?

Mr. Plaisted. Yes, indeed. You would get grease enough out
of it to pay for 30ur labor. At the Cumberland factor}' in Booth-
ba}' they manufacture bone dust in just this wa}-. It is the original
German method.

Mr. Sawyek. I understand 3'ou that 3'ou subject the bones to
the steam for twenty-four hours. What pressure do you have?

Mr. Plaisted. We need a pressure of twenty pounds steam.
It requires that amount of heat to dissolve the bones. It takes out
all of the gelatine, and leaves nothing but the lime.

Mr. Keith. Does it not impair the value of it to steam it?

Mr. Plaisted. I think not. I think the phosphate of lime re-
mains the same. The gelatine is dissolved, and that is not lost, for
it comes to the surface.

Mr. Sawyer. You would not recommend any one ordinary
farmer to do that for his own supply?

Mr. Plaisted. Yes, sir ; it does not cost much.

The President. This is more fertilizing in the orchard, by
spreading it on the surface. We have to experiment with different
kinds of fertilizers, and we would have to look sharp to see if we
get any benefit from it; the grass would steal it all.

Mr. Plaisted. We spread a good fair supply of stable dressing
around the trees.

Mr. Sawyer. I believe in nature's methods, muck and leaf-
mould. There is nothing quite so good, especiall}' in an orchard.
I think it is good on any soil.

Mr. Keith. In young orchards, how long have 3'Ou, Mr. Presi-
dent, made it a practice to keep the soil plowed up before allowing
it to go to grass ?

The President. Until within two years, we have never plowed
at all.

Mr. Keith. Have 3'ou ever grown any of the earl\' fruits, such
as the Duchess?

The President. Onl3' for our own use.

Mr. Keith. Has any one here had an3' experience with them ?

88 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Mr. SwEETSER. We have onh- raised them for our own use.

Mr. Keith. Do you regard the Duchess as a hard\- tree? "

Mr. Sweetser. Yes, and it is a great bearer.

Mr. Sawyer. Is there not more profit in forcing these trees for
all there is in them, than there is- in spinning it out over thirt}- j-ears?

Mr. Sweetser. I think so.

Mr. Plaisted. Is there anj' such thing as driving trees so as to
injure them ?

Mr. Sawyer. I don't think there is. I think there is such a
thing as retarding them.

Mr. Plaisted. Does driving them shorten their lives?

Mr. Sawyer. I think not.

Mr. Plaisted. Then wh}' not say that more trees die bj- starv-
ation than by forcing?

Mr. Sawyer. I think you would be about right.

The President. Is there not danger of forcing and getting the
growtli too late in the season ?

Ml-. Plaisted. I nevef saw any trouble of that kind, but there
may be.

Mr. Keith. I suppose that the Baldwin tree is not regarded as
being as hardy as the Astrachan or Duchess?

Mr. Plaisted. I don't know about that ; I have no Astrachan
trees.

Mr. Keith. You have Baldwins?

Mr. Plaisted. Y^es, and a good many of them are grafted in
the limbs.

The President. Would you not prefer trees grafted in the limbs
to those grafted in the nursery and at the crown ?

Mr. Plaisted. I do not observe any difference ; still, it depends
on how the tree is grained. I do not know but the wood of the
Baldwin tree is straighter grained and more liable to split than some
other varieties would be.

Mr. Keith. Judging from what I have seen of the Baldwin tree,
and what I have been told about the Duchess, I should feel like
driving the Duchess twice as hard as I would the Baldwin.

Mr. Sawyer. I have but one tree of lUt.' Duchess; some of the
limbs have split off, from the weight of the appk;s, and it split as
badly as ever I saw the Baldwin.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 89

Voted, That a committee of three be appointed by the Chair to
be known as the ' Committee on Nomenclature,' and that the sub-
ject of the changes in the nomenclature of fruits, recommended by
the American Pomological Society, be referred to said committee.
The following persons were appointed as such committee, viz :
George B. Sawyer, Z. A. Gilbert and D. J. Briggs.

Voted, That Miss Alice Foster of Gardiner be added to the Com-
mittee on New Fruits, and that the committee as thus constituted be
continued for the ensuing year.

Voted, That the Executive Committee be instructed to consider
the propriety- of reducing the number of varieties of apples in the
premium list of the annual exhibition.

The following resolutions were presented and adopted :
Resolved, That the thanks of this Societ}' be and hereby are ex-
tended to the people of Gardiner, for the liberal arrangements made
for holding this meeting, and for the renewed manifestation of their
interest in the welfare of the Society ; also to the local committee
and those citizens who have co-operated with them in perfecting the
arrangements for this meeting.

Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be extended to the
Maine Central Railroad for its reduction of fares ; to the several
persons who have presented papers and reports, and to the news-
paper press and reporters for their extended and faithful reports of
the proceedings.

m MEMORIAL.

Charles Downing died at his home, in Newburgh, Nev\' York,
January 18th, 1885, in the eighty-second year of his age. The
following sketch of his Ufe and character and achievements is taken,
in an abbreviated form, from the address of President Barry at the
last annual meeting of the Western New York Horticultural Societ}' :

"In earl}' life, and until about thirty years ago, Mr. Downing
was actively engaged in the nursery business, in which he was dis-
tinguished as well for his skill and success as a practical cultivator,
as for his accuracy and trustworthiness in all matters pertaining to
the varieties of fruits or of ornamental trees and plants, cultivated
and sold by him. When anything was purchased from Charles
Downing, that alone was regarded as a pi'oof of its genuineness.
A more careful, conscientious man has never been known in that
business.

" Shortly after the death of his gifted and greatly lamented
brother, Andrew J. Downing, author of "The Fruits and Fruit
Trees of America," and of several woiks on landscape gardening and
rural architecture, Charles retired from the nursery business, and from
that time until his death devoted himself to the study of pomology,
and to the revision from time to time of his brother's great work,
"The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America." This book is regarded
as the standard authority on American fruits throughout the world,
and Charles Downing came to be acknowledged one of the foremost
pomologists of his day. He was a remarkably modest and retiring
man by nature, and, although a regular attendant at both pomologi-
cal and horticultural meetings, was seldom heard to speak, except
when called upon for his opinion, which he would give with absolute
frankness and honesty, but in the fewest possible words. He was
not in haste to form an opinion, but when once formed he adhered
to it steadfastly.

"The name of Charles Downing is as familiar as a household
word in every American home where an intelligent interest is taken
in rural affairs. * * * Who will take his place? is a
question that will be asked. Who will keep up the standard charac-
ter of "The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America" by constant re-
vision, as he did? It is a national work, and I trust that lor the

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 91

sake of the memory of the brothers Downing, as well as for the
honor and interest of American pomology, it will pass into careful,
able and loving bands, who will perpetrate it through future genera-
tions."

These are the words of one well qualified by long acquaintance
and intimate association, as well as by similarity of occupation and
tastes, to form a just estimate of the character and labors of Mr.
Downing. In a letter to the writer of this notice, in 1882, Mr.
Downing said :

"1 much prefer the practical part of horticulture, and would
rather work a week in the open air than to write a day ; in fact. I
have not the taste nor the ability to perform the work as it should
be, and the revisions of my i)rother's Fruit Book were prepared at
the earnest solicitation of his and my friends and much against my
will, knowing that I was not able to do it justice. I intended and
expected to make a new revision, * * * i^nt it is too
late now, as ray health and strength are not sufficient for tiie labor."

Man}' extracts might be made from his letters, several of them
written after his partial recovery from the painful accident which
came so near terminating his life, all illustrating the modesty and
self-abnegation which were prominent traits in his character, and his
devotion to his chosen labor.

He always manifested a deep interest in the work of this Societ}',
and was a careful and discriminating reader of its transactions.
On several occasions he expressed a strong desire to attend our
meetings, and was only prevented from doing so by the intirmity of
his health. He was often appealed to by our members for the settle-
ment of vexed questions in pomology ; and he always investigated
patiently and answered courteously, and frequent!}' would write to
them to make suggestions or ask for information on some point
which had attracted his attention in our proceedings. For these
reasons, as well as for his pre-eminence among pomologists, though
not a member of our Society, it is fitting that we should place his
name at the head of our memorial notices at this time. No society
could call him its own to the exclusion of others. He belongs to
ever}- organization and every individual interested in the advance-
ment of horticultural knowledge.

G. B. s.

92 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Francis Gardiner Ricuards was born at Gardiner, June 10th.
1833, and died in Boston, February 10th, 1884. He received his
early education in P^ngland and graduated at Harvard College in
1853, and for some time studied law, but abandoned it and decided
to go into business. He made a voj^age to Calcutta, but, in 1858.
on learning of the death of his father, Francis Richards, of the firm
Richards & Hoskins, paper makers, at Gardiner, he returned and
took charge of his father's business, and, taking the paper mills,
carried on a most successful business. He married Miss Ashburne
in 1879. His widow and two children survive him. For many
years he was an active business man — one of the trustees of the
Gardiner Savings Bank, a director of the Cobbossee National Bank,
and always one of the Vestiy of the Episcopal Church. His death
was a groat loss to the community.

Mr. Richards became a life member of this Society in 1881, and
always maintained a deep interest in its welfare.

Hon. John E. Godfrey died at his home in Bangor, February
20, 1884. He had been unwell for several days, but on the day of
his decease was feeling much better. Between five and six o'clock
he sat with his little daughter in his arms, playing with her and laugh-
ing at her childish frolics. Suddenly he threw back his head and
in two minutes life had departed. Heart disease was the cause.

Judge Godfrey was born in Hampden, September 6th, 1809, the
son of John Godfrey, Esq.. for man}' years a prominent member of
Penobscot Bar. When he was about twelve years of age, his father
removed to Bangor, and after that time the subject of tliis notice made
his home there.

Adopting the legal profession, he was admitted to the Penobscot
Bar, of which he continued for many years a prominent and honored
member.

He filled many positions of trust in his city and county, having been
a member of the Common Council of the city four years, and of
the Board of Aldermen three years, and was on the Superintending
School Committee twenty or thirty years. In 18oG he was elected
Judge of Probate for Penobscot County, and was re-elected seven

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 93

times, discharging the duties of that important office with great
ability and to the entire satisfaction of all, from Jannar}-, IH.jT, to
January, 1881, a period of twenty-four years. He was President
of the Bangor Histoiical Society and a member and contributor of
the Maine Historical Society. He also took a deep interest in music,
and for a number of years was President of the Penobscot Musical
Association and also of other local musical organizations. He was
always an anti-slavery man, and was one of the formers of the
Republican party, and always an earnest advocate of its princi[)les.
He contributed to Griffin's " Press of Maine." a history of the press
of Penobscot County. He was also a poet of considerable al)ility.
He leaves a wife and a little daughter ; also two sons by a former
marriage.

Judge Godfre}' was a man of great culture and fine tastes, and
his late home is a lasting monument to his love and appreciation of
the beautiful. He took a deep interest in horticultural affairs, and
was for many years an active member and an officer of the Bangor
Horticultural Society. He became a life member of this Society in
1873, and at the first annual exhibition, at Bangor, delivered an
able and interesting address, which was published in full in the
transactions of that year.

COM.

Alfred Smith, one of the life members of this Society, was a
son of Isaac Smith, who, with his father, Capt. Nathaniel Smith,
moved to Winthrop, Maine, from Middleboro', Mass., about the
year 1795. He was born July 18, 1807, on the farm where his
father died at the age of ninety, and where he had lived for about sixty
years. His early education was only what the district school
affor(ied at that early date, with a few terms at an academy in an
adjoining town ; but he made such good use of his opportunities
that he began teaching at the age of eighteen, and followed it closely
during the winter season, working upon the farm in summer, until
he was twentj'-five ^-ears of age. During this period he taught two
years in Massachusetts, meeting with so much success that he was
several times invited to take permanent situations as a teacher in
private educational institutions, which he declined. This he did
because he began to tire of teaching and to turn his mind more to

94 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

farming as an occupation. During all his years of study, chemistry
and the natural sciences had been favorite branches of knowledge
with him, and in the former he made considerable proficiency.
These studies trained his mind to habits of observation and inquiring
into the action of Nature's laws, which gave him a good fitness to
write upon questions concerning orcharding, plant growth, etc..
which he did to quite an extent in the latter j'ears of his life. Al-
though he praclicalh' abandoned teaching as a business when he
began farming, he continued to teach school winters for man3' j-ears,
teaching his last term at the age of fifty-two years.

Mr. Smith married, December 1, 1832, Mary F. Shaw of Win-
throp. Tlieir famil}' consisted of six sons, one of whom, Henry S.,
lives on the old farm in Monmouth ; and one. Prof. George Board-
man, resides in Houlton, a teacher of acknowledged ability. His
widow, a lady of estimable Christian character, fine sensibilities and
true benevolence, still survives, and resides with her son in Mon-
mouth. Mr. Smith lived in Winthrop until the year 1862, when he
moved to Monmouth and purchased a farm on the shore of Lake
Cochiiewaggin, where he continued to reside till his decease.

At the early age of sixteen, Mr. Smith united with the Baptist
Church and ever continued a consistent member of the same. In
1848, when the anti-slavery controversy- was beginning to assume
form and shape as a social and political factor, Mr. Smith was one
of three, out of over thirt}' male members of his church who were
bold, outspoken and earnest in their opposition to human slaver}-.
They voted as they believed and talked, and thereby incurred the
almost universal contempt of their associates and townsmen. But
Mr. Smitli lived to see himself in the majority, and to witness the
consummation of his prayers and hopes in the eternal abolition of
legal bonds from men of color. A writer in the Lewiston Journal
of March 13, 1885, in a notice of Mr. Smith, says, in reference to
this fact: ''Those onlv who lived in those times can understand
what such men were obliged to endure. But he bore it patiently
until he saw the reward of his labor. He is the first of the three
who has gone to his rest. The other two are nearly ninety years
old."

Although always a farmer, it was not till the latter period of his
life that Air. Smith began to give special attention to orcharding.
About 1860, or possibly a few years later, he began the nursery
culture of fruit trees by planting seeds, budding, grafting and

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 95

general care. Grafting he bad learned from observation when a
3-011 ng man, and had practiced it successfully for many years. He
grafted near the collar of the tree for hardy varieties, those more
tender being grafted in the top. At one time he had in cultivation,
for purposes of testing, more than thirty sorts of apples, upwards
of twentv of pears, about the same number of grapes, and quite a
variety of small fruits. His culture of fruits led him to correspond
with the leading fruit growers of the country, and this led to his
writing for the agricultural press, which he did quite largely during
the last dozen years of his life. He carried on a somewhat exten-
sive correspondence with the late Mr. Charles Downing, and re-
ceived from that gentleman, as a present, a copy of the large edition
of his "Fruit and Fruit Trees of America." He wrote for the
Maine Farmer^ Massachusetts Ploughman, The Home Farm, the
New York Tribune and other agricultural journals, to all of which
his contributions were most gladly welcomed. His contributions
were generally upon questions of practical experience in orchard
management, and from his long and close observation, and his terse,
vigorous manner of expressing his views, his articles were especially
valuable. He based no statements on tradition ; he hated super-
stition ; he disliked all forms of sham or pretence. One of his
articles, written against the raising of cider apples, and the making
of apples into cider, was rejected bv the agricultural paper to which
it was sent ; as was also another against horse racing at fairs ; but
it was not many years afterward that the same paper expressed,
editorially, the same sentiments to which he had given utterance.
His articles on the law of transmission in plants, on the circulation
of sap, on the latent buds in fruit trees and their capability to be
induced into bearing boughs, led him into public controverseries,
through the press, with writers who differed with him, but who were
all constrained to acknowledge his ability, and that the facts which
he had observed and stated were more potent than man}- pretty
theories.-

At the incorporation of this Society, in 1873, Mr Smith became
a life member, and for many years was a constant attendant upon
its meetings, and a large exhibitor at its fairs, in both of which he
always manifested a lively interest. It is not too much to say that
his example, his writings for the press, his public discussions at
pomological meetings, and his exhibition of fruits at our fairs, have
done a great deal to help on a knowledge of fruits, an understand-

96 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

ing of their principles of cultivation, and contributed directly to the
growing of more No. 1 apples b}- quy orchardists. To this end he
was a public benefactor. He was held in high esteem b}- all his
associates of this Society, and by liis fellow townsmen and the
citizens of his native county. He was an honest man. An obit-
uary notice published in the Zion's Advocate., shortly after his death,
concluded as follows :

*' Of a sensative nature, with a delicate constitution, the constant
strain that he put on his mind was too much for his nervous system,
and in consequence, in his later years, his mind was less spiritual and
clear, though he never faltered in his belief and trust in the Saviour."

The writer of the article previously alluded to, published in the
Lewiston Journal, says :

" He was a close observer, a deep thinker, a patient investigator.
He was both practical and scientific. Nothing in his favorite pur-
suit escaped his vigilance or analysis. He had a remarkable knowl-
edge of the botany and chemistry of fi'uit growing, and in these
branches he availed himself of the best helps and made the best use
of them. It was a treat to go with him through his extensive
grounds and see how admirably he had succeeded, and hear him
talk on his chosen themes. In a just sense he was a philosopher.
He gave a reason for all he did and believed. He received nothing
as a fact until he was convinced by facts of its truth. He was a
self-made man, an original investigator, a lover of truth, and a can-
did listener."

Mr. Smith died at his home, in Monmouth, February 19, 1885,
aged 77 years, 7 mouths.

SAMUEL L. BOAKDMAN.

INDEX.

PAGB.

Abbott, h. F., remarks by 40

Address of Welcome and reply, at winter meeting 24

President 26

Apples, evaporating 84

varieties discussed 71, 78

Alexander 79

Cooper's Market 71

Danvers Sweet 82

Dean 81

Mann 71

Mcintosh Red 71

Moody 81

Norton's Melon 71, 79

Ontario 71, 82

Rolfe 83

Starkey , 81

Talman Sweet 82

Walbridge 83

Wealthy 82

Westfield Seek-No- Farther 82

barrels for 8*

Apple maggot, the "0

Atherton, W. P., paper by *5

remarks by 38, 55

Atkins, Charles G., paper by 63

Baldwins in Maine. ^3

Barrels, new, for apples 84

Bark, splitting of. 40

Blossom, L. H., paper by 68

7

98 INDEX.

FA«C.

Blossom, L. H., remarks by i. •*

Borer, combatting the... "*

Briggs, D. J., remarks by 37, 40

Carpenter, J. M., remarks by 40, 79

Clason, 0. B., address by **

Downing, Charles, obituary notice of.

90

Exhibition, twelfth annual

rales of. *

^ 10

pears

premiamB on apples

16

grapes **

plams ^*

miscellaneous articles 1^

flowers 21

International at New Orleans "^

at winter meeting ' *

Fertilizers for fruit trees ®*

Fernald, Granville, letter of ""

Foster, Alice, remarks by *^

"Flamen Pomonalis," poem **

Fruit culture, observations on '"

thinning **

sent to Massachusetts Horticultural Society 68, 83

trees, setting over drains 31, 36, 38

soils for '*

In out-of*the-way places .• 31, 36, 39

pruning of. ., ^'» "

proper age of, for planting ®*

insects injurious to *^

Sardiner, R. H., remarks by 37, 55, 80

Gilbert, Z. A., remarks by "^^^ **

Godfrey, John B., obituary notice **

Keith, W. H., remarks by... •*

INDEX. 99

PAGE.

Lang, J. W., paper by 30

Larrabee, J. M., poem by 43

Letters received at winter meeting 77

Mnnning, Robert, letter from 83

Massachusetts Horticultural Society, fruit sent to 68, 83

Menibero, annual, 1884

life 4

New fruits, report on 71

Nursery business, the, in Maine 45

obstacles to 46

requisites to success in 50

Obituary notices 90

Officers, 1884 2

^''Sa 3 5g

Orchard management, defects in gg

Pope, Charles S., address by 26

Report of Treasurer . -

committee on exhibition at New Orleans 69

President's address 70

new fruits.

71

exhibition at winter meeting 72

Richards, F. Q., obituary notice 92

Sawyer, George B., remarks by 25 41 53

Shaw, S. W., letter from nn

Smith, Alfred, obituary notice 93

Sweetser, S. R., remarks by 53

Treasurer's report e.T

Winter meeting, proceedings of 24

Woodpeckers, injury to trees by 39

TRANSACTIONS

OF THB

Maine State Pomological Society,

FOR THE YEAB

1885

Including the Proceedings of the Winter Meeting held at
Turner, February 17 and 18, 1886.

EDITED BT THE SECRETARY,

■ AMUEIL 1_. BOARDMAN

AUGUSTA:

KENNEBEC JOURNAL BOOK PRINT.

1886.

"I shall only instance in one delight more, the most natural and

best natured of all others, a perpetual companion of the husbandman;
and that is, the satisfaction of looking round about him, and seeing noth-
ing but the affects and improvements of his own art and dilligence ; to be
always gathering of some fruits of it, and at the same time to behold
others ripening, and others budding; to see all his fields and gardens
covered with the beautious creatures of his own industr}--; and to see,
like God, that all his works are good."

Abraham Cowley, 1618-1667.

INTRODUCTORY NOTE.

To the Secretary of the Maine Board of Agriculture :

The following pages embrace the transactions of the Maine S'tate
Pomological Society for the ^ear 1885, including also, in accordance
with previous custom, the proceedings of the annual Winter Meeting
held on the 17th and 18th of February, 1886. An examination of
the papers and essays presented at that meeting will show that they
are from some of the best informed and most practical fruit growers
in the State, and are upon interesting and timely topics. At the
evening session on the first da}' the several essays read were con-
tributed by ladies, the subjects being of a nature to specially inter-
est them, and I believe the plan of giving an evening to flowers and
their culture during our Winter meeting, to be one that should be
carried out at future sessions. Small fruits justly occupied consid-
erable time ; and the future outlook for the fruit growing interest of
the State received consideration in two suggestive papers. I am
happy to believe the present report contains many valuable essays,
and will worthily occupy a place beside the previous interesting and
important Reports of the Society'.

Samuel L. Boardman, Secretary.

CONTENTS.

PAGE.

List of Officers for 1885 6

" ■'' " 1886 7

Report of Annual Exhibition 11

List of Premiums 16

Proceedings of the Winter Meeting 26

Address of Welcome, by Dr. J. T. Ciislnng 26

Annual Address of the President, Cliarles S. Pope 29

Where and of Whom Shall We Procure Nursery Stock, by

N. R. Pike 34

How and Where Shall We Procure Our Nursery Stock, by J. E.

Bennoch 37

Discussion on the same 40

Weed Your Own Garden, by Miss ZiJpha S. Prince 44

The Arrangement of Flowers, by Mrs. Corelli W. Simpson 49

Some Hints on Making Coleus Beds, by Miss L. M. Pope 56

Practical Experience with Small Fruits, by I. C. Jackson 60

A Talk about Small Fruits, by Arthur I. Brown 62

'• What Man Hath Done, Man May Do," by D. H. Knowlton . . 73
The Climatic Line of Fruit Culture in Maine, by W. P. Atherton 85

The Mulch Question, by Charles G. Atkins 91

3Iistakes in Fruit Growing, bj^ D. P. True 95

Can the Codling Moth be Trapped, by Samuel C. Harlow 97

Discussion 101

Report of Business Meeting 104

An Apple : How to Pick It, and What to Do With It, by Samuel

L. Boardman 105

The Future Outlook of Fruit Raising in Maine, by S. R. Leland 115

The Future of Orcharding in Maine, by Lyman F. Abbott 118

Discussion 124

Miscellaneous Papers 127

Catalogue of Fruits for Maine 145

Treasurer's Report 161

List of Members 162

Index 164

OFFICERS FOR 1885.

President.
CHARLES S. POPE, Manchester.

Vice Presidents.
S. E. SWEETSER, Cumberland Centre.
HENRY Mclaughlin, Bangor.

Secretary.

GEO. B. SAWYER, Wiscasset.
[Resigned.]

SAMUEL L. BOARDMAN, Augusta.
[Appointed May 29, 1885.]

Treasurer.
GEO. B. SAWYER, Wiscasset.

Executive Committee.

The President and Secretary, ex-officio ; Andrew S. Sawyer, Cape Eliza-
beth ; Leauder H. Blossom, Turner ; William P. Atherton, Hallowell.

Trustees.
Androscoggin County, D. J. Briggs, South Turner.

Aroostook " E. E. Parkhurst, Maysville.

Cumberland " Otis C. Nelson, New Gloucester.

Franklin " G. K. Staples, Temple.

Hancock " Charles G. Atkins, Bucksport.

Kennebec " Richard C. Plaisted, Gardiner.

Knox " Elmas HoflFses, Warren.

Lincoln " H. J. A. Simmons, Waldoboro'.

Oxford " Jairus K. Hammond, Paris.

Penobscot " J. E. Bennoch, Orono.

Piscataquis " H. A. Robinson, Foxcroft.

Sagadahoc " H. S. Cary, Topshara.

Somerset " James S. Hoxie, North Fairfield.

Waldo " D. B. Johnson, Freedom.

Washington " Nelson S. Allen, Dennysville.

York " Luther S. Moore, Limerick.

(6)

OFFICERS FOR 1886.

President.
CHARLES S. POPE, Manchester.

Vice Presidents.
S. P. SWEETSER, Cumberland Centre.
D. J. BRIGGS, South Turner.

Secretary.
SAMUEL L. BOARDMAN, Augusta.

Treasurer.
D. H. KNOWLTOX, Farmington.

Executive Committee.
The President and Secretary, ex-officio ; F. E. Nowell, Fairfield; L. H.
Blossom, Turner Centre; W. P. Atherton, HalloweU.

Androscoggin Cou

Aroostook

Cumberland

Franklin

Hancock

Kennebec

Knox

Lincoln

Oxford

Penobscot

Piscataquis

Sagadahoc

Somerset

Waldo

"Washington

York

Trtistees.

ity, L. F. Abbott, Lewiston.
E. E. Parkhurst, Maysville.
Otis C. Nelson, New Gloucester.
G. K. Staples, Temple.
Charles G. Atkins, Bucksport.
Richard C. Plaisted, Gardiner.
Elmas Hoffses, Warren.
H. J. A. Simmons, Waldoboro'.
Jairus K. Hammond, Paris.
J. E. Bennoch, Orono.
H. A. Robinson, Foxcroft.
H. S. Cary, Topsham.
James S. Hoxie, North Fairfield.
D. B. Johnson, Freedom.
Nelson S. Allen, Dennysville.
Luther S. Moore, Limerick.

(7)

COMMITTEES.

ON NEW FRUITS.

W. P. ATHERTON, Hallowell.
SAMUEL L. BOARDMAN, Augusta.
Miss ALICE FOSTER, Gardiner.

ON NOMENCLATURE.

SAMUEL ROLFE, Portland.
W. P. ATHERTON, Hallowell.
D. P. TRUE, Leeds Centre.

EXTRACT FROM THE RECORDS.

Voted : " That a special committee on nomenclature be appointed
Tjy the President to serve at the annual exhibition, whose duty it
shall be to name, as far as possible, the varieties exhibited for name,
and to correct those wrongly named."

(8)

Pomolodcal and Horticnitural Societies.

Below is given a list of those Pomological and Horticultural socie-
ties and their secretaries, in the different States, with which our
Society is in correspondence, and with which it exchanges reports
and transactions. "We should be very glad to extend the list so as to
embrace all societies of this nature in every State in the Union.

American Pomological Society. Charles W. Garfield, Secretary, ^
Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Department of Agriculture of the United States. Hon. Norman
J. Colman, Commissioner, Washington, D. C.

American Horticultural Society. W. H. Ragan, Secretary,
Greencastle, Indiana.

Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Robert Manning, Secretary, J
Boston, Mass.

Western New York Horticultural Society. P. C. Reynolds,
Secretary, Rochester, N. Y.

New Jersey State Horticultural Society. E. Williams, Secretary,
Montclair, N. J.

Pennsylvania Fruit Growers' Society. E. B. Engle, Secretary,
Marietta, Penn'a.

Ohio State Horticultural Society. George W. Campbell, Secre-
tary, Delaware, Ohio.

Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. William Trelease, Sec- \J
retary, Madison, Wisconsin.

Indiana Horticultural Society. C. M. Hobbs, Secretary, Bridge-
port, Indiana.

State Horticultural Society' of Michigan. Charles W. Garfield,
Secretary, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

(9)

<y

10 POMOLOGICAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES.

) Illinois state Horticultural Society. A. C. Hammond, Secretary,
Warsaw, Illinois.

Iowa State Horticultural Society. Prof. J. L. Budd, Secretary,
Ames, Iowa.

Missouri State Horticultural Society. L. A. Goodman, Secre-
tary, Westport, Missouri.

Kansas State Horticultural Society. G. C. Brackett, Secretary,
Lawrence, Kansas.

J Nebraska Horticultural Society. D. H. "Wheeler, Secretary,
Plattsmouth, Nebraska.

State Board of Horticulture of California. A. H. Webb, Secre-
tary, San Francisco, California.

Fruit Growers' Association of the Province of Ontario. D. W.
Beadle, Secretary, St. Catharine's, Ontario.

Montreal Horticultural Society. H. S. Evans, Secretary, Mon-
treal, P. Q., Canada.

Entomological Society of the Province of Ontario. Edmund
Bayues Reed, Secretary, London, Ontario.

Maine State Pomological Society.

ANNUAL EXHIBITION.

The thirteenth annual exhibition of the Maine State Pomological
Societ}- was held at Lewiston, September 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25,
1885, in connection with that of the Maine State Agricultural So-
ciety, as in previous years. But while held on the same daj's, the
details of the exhibition in every i-espect were under exclusive direction
of the officers of the Pomological Society ; and while the exhibition
formed a part of the great whole, it was an important part and con-
tributed largely to the general success. One-half of the third floor
of the large exhibition hall on the State Park was devoted to the
various displa3's of the Society, and the room proved entirely inade-
quate to properly arrange the large exhibits. Had the whole floor
been placed at the disposal of the Society it would have been none
too much for the wants of the exhibition. As it was, eighteen large
tables were devoted to fruits, and eight racks to the various exhibits
of cut flowers, while placed about the tables were vases and bouquets
of various designs which helped to give a most attractive and artistic
appearance to the tables. In consequence of the large number of
plates and the small amount of table space, it was quite impossible
to arrange the collection in so systematic a manner as has been done
at some previous exhibitions, consequently the whole display lost
somewhat in completeness, harmony, and the ease with which it could
be studied. Indeed, after many of the tables had been arranged, it
was necessary to remove the fruit from several of the tables, re-
arrange the same in order to obtain more room, provide additional
accommodations, and this, too, while the exhibition was in progress.
Six extra tables of large size were placed in the floor which was last
year used as a public alley or court in the centre of the building, and

(11)

12 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

although this crowded the visitors into a narrower space than was
agreeable, it was found necessary in order to make accommodations
for the unexpectedly large display.

The excellent system of classification and arrangement of fruit
adopted by the Society years ago was carried out in this late fair,
BO far as was possible with the limited space at command — county
exhibits, single varieties, and other collective exhibits by themselves.
First in the list of collections was that showing the best general State
collection grown by the exhibitor. For this display the Society has
been wisely reducing the number of varieties to be embraced in the
collection, and this year adopted twenty as the standard of admission,
hoping by this means to discourage the multiplication of varieties,
and prevent the exhibition of collections runuing up to one hundred
varieties, and above, such as have frequently been noticed at previous
exhibitions, in which would be likely to be found scores of varieties
of little value. In this class were fourteen entries.

In the class for county collections thei'e was a magnificent display,
eleven counties being represented, the competitors numbering thirty-
seven. Most of thesjB exhibits were exceptionally fine in quality
and character. An interesting competitive exhibit was that for the
Society's prizes for the best five varieties of autumn apples, and the
best five varieties winter apples. In the former list were twenty-
one and in the latter list twenty-two exhibitors. In the class for
the prize offered for the "best collection of apples for home use for
the entire year, in the smallest number of varieties," were twelve
competitors ; and in the collection of crab apples, nine competitors.

In the Society's list were premiums for the "best plate of from
five to ten specimens each, according to their size," for fifty-four
different varieties of our most celebrated fall and winter apples. In
this class were eighty-eight different exhibitors, showing from one
to thirty varieties each, and a most gorgeous sight it was when these
plates had been arranged on tables by themselves for examination
b3' the committee. More than a day was given to the work of
examination, and so far as could be learned their judgment was
unquestioned and met the approval of the different competitors.
In a matter involving so much labor and so nice a degree of judg-
ment, this is certainly a high compliment to the ability of the judges.

In the division embracing pears there was a truly magnificent
display, and the value of the several collections was increased by
the fact that the larger exhibits were correctly named — a matter of

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 13

great value and interest to those who wished to study them for the
purpose of becoming posted. In the prize for the "best general
exhibition" there were seventeen entries, the several exhibitors show-
ing from five to thirty-four varieties. The Society's list embraces
premiums for twenty-eight varieties, but those shown outnumbered
the list b}" nearly one-half, fort}'- nine varieties being on the tables.
Clapp's Favorite led with twent}' plates, followed b}' Sheldon with
nineteen, Flemish Beauty with seventeen, Bartlett with fifteen,
Beurre d'Anjou and Louise Bonne De Jersey with twelve each,
Howell with eleven, and the other sorts with from one to eight.
Our Maine pears were represented as follows : Fulton, one plate ;
Nickerson and Goodale four each. The display of open-air, cold-
graper}', and fire-heat grapes was large and fine.

There were twenty-four exhibitors of plums, and eight of cran-
berries. The display of canned and preserved fruits was the largest
ever shown in the history of the Society.

In flowers and floral designs the exhibition was interesting, but
not as large as at some previous fairs, there being no pot plants
(Class VI, second division,) on display. Six entries were made for
collections of cut flowers, of one hundred phials or more each. The
show of single varieties was a choice one, but confined to a much
less number of varieties than formerly. The floral designs were
greatly admired for their unique character and exquisite arrangement
of colors. The general rules of the exhibition, together with the
premiums awarded in the several classes are given below ; but it has
been deemed unnecessary to publish the names of fruit or articles
for which no entries were made, and to omit altogether the consecu-
tive numbering of the several paragraphs as in the premium list:

GENERAL RULES OF THE EXHIBITION.

1. The general regulations of the Joint Exhibition will govern this
department, as far as applicable thereto, and except as herein other-
wise provided.

2. Entries may be made at the oflSce of the Secretary, in Augusta,
personally, or by letter, until September 17th, and after that at the
Park, on the first day of the exhibition, until 4 o'clock P. M.

3. Exhibitors are requested to present full and accurate lists of
the varieties of fruit or other articles to be entered ; and to specify
the premium for which each article is entered ; also to afl3x their
names and P. 0. addresses, so that the same may be correctly trans-

14 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

ferred to the books and exhibition cards. Persons intending to
make entries will confer a special favor by sending lists of the same
to the Secretary at an earlj- day.

4. All fruits and flowers offered for premiums must have been
grown by the exhibitor ; and any violation of this rule will debar or
forfeit the premium. Specimens offered for exTdbition only, by others
than the growers, must in all cases have the name of the grower
affixed, if known.

5. All fruits and flowers exhibited mlist, as far as possible, be cor-
rectly named according to the standard nomenclature adopted by the
Society, and it be the duty of the standing committee of the Society
to examine labels and correct all errors in nomenclature during the
exhibition.

6. Where a certain number of specimens or varieties, or a definite
quantit}' of any article, is required b}" the schedule, exhibitors should
conform to such requirement; and larger quantities will not be ad-
mitted except b}' special arrangement with the Executive Committee,
having reference to economy of space and the symmetry of the ex-
hibition.

7. Dishes and labels for the exhibition of fruits, and phials and
stands for cut flowers, will be furnished by the Societ}', and no others
will be admissible. No premium will be paid on any article which is
accompanied by an advertisement or business card.

8. Exhibitors must see to the deliver}'^ of their contributions, and
will be required to put them in the places designated for them. After
the articles are arranged they will be under the exclusive charge of
the Society', and the owners will not have liberty to remove them
until the exhibition is closed. All reasonable precautions will be
taken for the safe keeping of articles on exhibition, after their arrival
and arrangement upon the tables ; but the Societ}^ will not be respon-
sible for any loss or damage that may occur.

9. No premium will be awarded merely for want of competition,
nor unless the article exhibited is worthy of it ; and the committees
are authorized to withhold the first and award the second or an}'
subsequent premium, or none, at their discretion, according to merit.
Thej' are also to withhold all premiums from an}' articles not exhibited
according to the rules, or where any unfair practice has been at-
tempted by the exhibitor.

10. The committees are authorized to recommend gratuities for
any new or rare fruits, flowers, plants, or articles of merit for which
no premiums have been offered.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 15

11. When a specimen is presented for identification, the exhibitor
shall communicate all the information he possesses as to the origin
and the local appellation.

12. No member of any of the committees for awarding premiums
shall, in any case, vote or decide respecting an award for which such
member may be a competitor, or therein have an interest ; but in
such case such member shall temporarily vacate his place upon the
committee.

13. All premiums awarded will be payable b}' the Treasurer in
sixty days after the close of the exhibition, subject, however, to the
following conditions and limitations, viz :

1st — The Society guarantees to pay premiums and gratuities to
the amount of $500, but reserves the right, if more than that amount
is awarded, to make such a. pro rata reduction as will reduce the
whole amount payable to that sura.

2d — All premiums not applied for before the first day of January
next shall revert to the Society.

3d — The Society's premiums are open for competition to all per-
sons residing in the State ; but when premiums and gratuities
exceeding $1.00 and less than $20.00 are awarded to a person not a
member of the Society, the fee for membership will be deducted
therefrom ; and when premiums and gratuities amounting to $20,00
or more are awarded to any person not a life member of the Society,
the fee for life membership will be deducted therefrom ; and in either
case certificates of membership will be issued accordingly.

LIST OF PREMIUMS AWARDED.

Class I— APPLES.

FIRST DIVISION.

Special Regulations. Entries for all premiums in this division
must consist of five specimens of each variety exhibited, and (except
Nos. 18 and 19) of at least twenty correctly-named varieties.
Entries for pemiums Nos. 18 and 19 must be separate and distinct
collections, not embracing any other collection or specimens, and in
awarding the premiums regard will be had both to the quality of the
specimens and the value of the varieties exhibited.

By "named varieties" is meant such as are named and described
in some standard work on Pomology, or have been named and
approved by some National or State Horticultural Society.

In adopting 20 as the number of varieties required in county
collections, the Society does not intend to encourage the multiplica-
tion of varieties ; and the committee will be instructed, in award-
ing the premiums, to have regard to quality and value rather than
to the number of varieties, and will be authorized to recommend
gratuities for meritorious collections embracing less than the number
of varieties required as above.

Collections entered in this division for the county premiums were
allowed to be entered for the general competition under premium
No. 1 ; but it was provided that no more than one premium should
be awarded to any collection.

For the best general exhibition of apples grown by the exhibitor
in any part of the State. Miss L. L. Taylor, Lakeside, $15.00 ; D.
J. Briggs, South Turner, $10.00 ; L. H. Blossom, Turner, $5.00.

For the best general exhibition of apples grown by the exhibitor
in Cumberland County. S. R. Sweetser, Cumberland Center, $10.00 ;

(16)

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 17

Milton Dyer, Cape Elizabeth, $8.00 ; T. M. Merrill, New Gloucester,
$5.00.

For the same in Franklin Count}-. G. K. Staples, Temple, $10.00.

For the same in Kennebec County. W. R. Whartf, Gardiner,
$10.00 ; Perley & Perkins, Seward's, $8.00 ; E. A. Lapham, Pittston,
$5.00.

For the same in Knox County. Elraas Hoffses, "Waldoboro',
$10.00.

For the same in Lincoln County. E. "W. Dunbar, Damariscotta,
$10.00; H. J. A. Simmons, Waldoboro', $8.00; Geo. B. Sawyer,
Wiscasset, $5.00.

For the same in Oxford Count}-. C. H. George, Hebron, $10.00 ;
J. J. Towle, Dixfield, $8.00.

For the same in Penobscot County. Henr}- W. Brown, Newburg,
$10.00; E. H. Kenniston, Simpson's Corner, $8.00; L. I. Bick-
foid, Dixmont Center, $5.00.

For the same in Sagadahoc Count}-. Fred Wright, Bath, $10.00 ;
H. S. Gary, Topsham, 88.00.

For the same in Somerset County. J. S. Hoxie, Fairfield, $10.00 ;
Frank E. Nowell, North Fairfield, $8.00 ; C. D. Holbrook, North
Madison, $5.00.

For the same in Waldo County. Mrs. A. B. Strattard, Monroe,
$5.00.

For the same in Androscoggin Count}-. John Dunton, Lewiston,
$10.00; G. AY. Blossom, Turner, $8.00 ; N. W. Harris, Auburn,
$5.00.

Best five Autumn Apples. Hayden Bigelow, Greene, $3.00 ; S. R.
Sweetser, Cumheiland Center, 82.00 ; F. E Nowell, Fairfield, $1.00.

Best five Winter Apples. S. R. Sweetser, Cumberland Center^
$3.00; E. K. Whitney, Harrison, $2 00; F. E. Nowell, Fairfield,
$1.00;

Jk^st for Home Use. S. W. Shaw, Auburn, $5.00 ; S. R. Sweetser,
Cumberland Center, 2.00; H. J. A. Simmons, Waldoboro', $3.00.

Best Crab Apples. J. S. Hoxie, Fairfield, $1.00 ; C. D. Holbrook,
North Madison, 50c.

18 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETr.

SECOND DIVISION.

Entries for premiums in this division mnst consist of from five to
ten specimens, according to size, of each variety exhibited, and must
be separate specimens from any exhibited in the first division.

Bell's Early. Henry T. Brown, Newburg, 50c.

Black Oxford. " " " $1.00.

Orange Sw.eet. " " " 50c.

Red Astrachan. '" " " 50c.

Hyslop Crab. John Ladd, Anson, 50c.

Rhode Island Greening. T. M. Lombard, Auburn, $1.00.

Transcendent Crab, " " " 50c.

President. L. H. Blossom, Turner, 50c.

Roxbury Russet. D. W. Pulsifer, Turner, $1.00.

Stark. L. H. Blossom, Turner, $1.00.

Tetofsky. L. H. Blossom, Turner, 50c.

Briggs' Auburn. Miss L. L. Taylor, Lakeside, 50c.

Fall Harvey. " " " " 50c.

Franklin Sweet. " " " '' $1.00.

King of Tompkins. " " " " $1.00.

Moses AVood. " " " " 50c.

Mother. '* " " " 50c.

Northern Spy. " " " " 50c.

Rhode Island Greening. Miss L. L. Ta3^1or, Lakeside, 50c.

Somerset. Miss L. L. Taylor, Lakeside, 50c.

Williams' Favorite. Miss L. L. Taylor, Lakeside, $1.00.

Winthrop Greening. " " " " 50c.

Orange Sweet. J. S. Hoxie, Fairfield, $1.00.

Peck's Pleasant. " " " 50c.

Tetofsky. " " " $1.00.

Black Oxford. C. A. Da}', Turner, 50c.

Yellow Bellflower. E. H. Kenniston, Simpson's Corner, 50e.

Moses Wood. W. R. Wharff, Gardiner, $1.00.

Red Canada. Nelson Ham, Lewiston, 50c.

Grimts' Golden. E. A. Lapham, Pittston, $1.00.

Talman's Sweet. " " " 50c.

Wagener. N. W. Harris, Auburn, 50c.

Hyslop. Horace C. Little, Lewiston, 50c.

Benoni. Henry S. Carey, Topsham, $1.00.

Gravenstein. A. B. Chipman, West Gloucester, 50c.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 19

Roxbur}' Russet. A. B. Chipman, West Gloucester, 50c.

Franklin Sweet. Perley & Perkins, Seward's, 50c.

Garden Royal. " '' $1.00.

Hightop Sweet. " " $1.00.

Large Yellow Bough. " " 50c.

Starkej. Perley & Perkins, Seward's, $1.00.

Primate. " " $1.00.

Hubbardston Nonsuch. David Farrar, Lewiston, 50c.

Duchess of Oldenburgh. I. T. A\''aterman, East Auburn, $1.00.

Farneuse. I. T. Waterman, East Auburn, $1.00.

Gravenstein. I. T. Waterman, East Auburn, $1.00.

Baldwin. " " " 50c

Briggs' Auburn. I. T. Waterman, East Auburn, $1.00.

Benoni. Frank E. Nowell, Fairfield, 50c.

Hightop Sweet. Frank E. Nowell, Fairfield, 50c.

Porter. Frank E. Nowell, Fairfield, $1.00.

Wagener. "■ " " $1.00.

Winthrop Greening. Frank E. Nowell, Fairfield, $1.00.

Nodhead. O. B. Chene^', Lewiston, 50c.

Baldwin. S. P. Robie, Auburn, $1.00.

Red Russet. S. L. Farwell, Cumberland Center, $1.00.

Hubbardston Nonsuch, D. B. Wilson, " $1.00.

Williams' Favorite. G. D. Sweetser, " 50c.

Duchess of Oldenburgh. S. R. Sweetser, Cumberland Center, 50c^

Nodhead. S. R. Sweetser, Cumberland Center, $1.00.

King of Tompkins. S. R. Sweetser, Cumberland Center, 50c.

Somerset. S. R. Sweetser, Cumberland Center, $1.00.

Mother. '' " •> $1.00.

Early Harvest. H. J. A. Simmons, Waldoboro', 50c.

Starke}'. Geo. B. Saw3'er, Wiscasset, 50c.

Sweet Bough. D. House, North Turner, $1.00.

Northern Spy. R. H. Gardiner, Gardiner, $1.00.

Red Canada. " " " $1.00.

Yellow Bellflower. R. H. Gardiner, Gardiner, $1.00.

President. B. E. Allen, North Greene, $1.00.

Rolfe. B. E. Allen, North Greene, $1.00.

Blue Pearmain. C. H. George, Hebron, $1.00.

Harvey Greening. " " " $1.00.

Peck's Pleasant. L. K. Litchfield, Winthrop, $1 00.

Fameuse. D. H. Knowlton, Farmington, 50c.

20 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETT.

Alexander. H. A. B. Hyes, Industry, $1 00.
Wealthy. C. Moody, North Farmington, 50c.
Deane. P. Whittier, Chesterville, 50c.
Blue Pearmain. J. J. Towle, Dixfield, 50c.
Garden Royal. '' '' " 50c.

Talman's Sweet. " " " 61.00.

Alexander. M. C. Hobbs, West Farnnington, 50c.
Sops of Wine. M. P. Tufts, Farmington, $1.00.
King Sweeting. " " " 50c.

Deane. " " " Si. 00.

Unknown (for Gratuity). E. F. Purington, Wilton.
Red Astrachan. M. S. Kelley, Phillips, $1.00.
Early Harvest. " " " $1.00.

King Sweeting. John S. Gay, Farmington, $1 00.
Wealthy. C. D. Holbrook, North Madison, $1.00.
Porter. D. W. Pulsifer, East Poland, 50c.
Pumpkin Sweet. H. G. Fairbanks, Monmouth, f l.OO.
Pumpkin Sweet. Mrs. L. S. Killings, Lewiston, 50c.

Class II— PEARS.

For best general exhibition of Pears. Samuel Rolfe, Portland,
.$12.00 ; L. J. Perkins, Portland, $8.00; J. L. Bickford, Dixmont,
$5.U0 ; G. B. Sawyer, Wiscasset, $3.00.

For best five named varieties of Autumn Pears. A. J. Hersom,
$3.00; Nelson Ham, Lewiston, $2.00.

For best single variety of Autumn Pears. H. T. Leech, $2 00 ;
S. E. Leech, $1.00.

For best single variety of Winter Pears. L. J. Perkins, $2.00 ;
D. P. True, $1.00.

For the best dish of Bartlett. L. M. Berry, Winthrop, $1.00:
A G. Thurlow, New Gloucester, 50c.

Belle Lucrative. J. S. Hoxie, Fairfield, $1.00 ; E. K. Whitney,
Harrison, oOc.

Buffum. C. J. Perley, Vassalboro', $1 .00 ; L. M. Berry, Winthrop,

50c.

Beurre d' Anjou. A. J. Hersom, Brunswick, $1.00; E. L.
Mitchell, Lewiston, 50c,

Beurre Bosc. A. S. Sawyer, Cape Elizabeth, $1.00.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 21

Beurre Hardy. R. H. Gardiner, Gardiner, $1.00.

Beurre Superfin. D. P. True, 81.00.

Beurre Clairgeau. G. B. Sawyer, $1.00; D. J. Briggs, 50c.

Beurre Diel. D. J. Briggs, $1.00; George Hunter, Strong, 50c.

Clapp's Favorite. A. G. Gates, Auburn, $1.00; L. J. Perkins,
50c.

Doyenne Boussock. L. J. Perkins, $1.00.

Duchcsse d' Angouleme. S. W. Cook, Lewiston, $1.00 ; A. J.
Hersom, 50c.

Flemish Beauty. E. K. Whitney, $1.00 ; H. T. Leech, 50c.

Fulton. L. J. Perkins, $1.00.

Glout Morceau. L. K. Litchfield, Winthrop, $1.00 ; S. E. Leecli,
50c.

Goodale. C. J. Perley, $1.00 ; Miss L. L. Taylor, Lakeside, 50c.

Howell. E. L. Mitchell, $1.00 ; R. H. Gardiner 50c.

Lawrence. C. H. George. Hebron, $1.00 ; D. P. True, 50c.

Louise Bonne de Jersey. D. P. True, $1.00 ; E. L. Mitchell, 50c.

Nickerson. Miss L. L. Taylor, $1.00 ; S. W. Shaw, Auburn, 50c.

Seckel. John Goss, Auburn, $1.00 ; D. J. Briggs, 50c.

Sheldon. S. W. Cook, $1 .00 ; John Dunton, New Gloucester, 50c.

Swan's Orange. L. M. Berry, $1.00.

Vicar of Winkfield. S. W. Cook, $1.00; D. P. True, 60c.

Winter Nelis. R. H. Gardiner, $1.00.

Class III— GRAPES.

For best exhibition of grapes grown with artificial heat. J. C.
Baker, Lewiston, 1st, $8.00 ; John Vickery, Auburn, 2d, $5.00.

For best exhibition of gra[)cs grown in cold grapery. Geo. B.
Saw3'er, Wiscasset, 1st, $8.00.

For best cluster Black Hamburgh. Geo. B. Sawyer, 1st, $1.00;
John C. Baker, 2d, 50c.

White Muscat. G. B. Sawyer, 1st, $1.00; J. C. Baker, 2d,
oOc.

Muscat Hamburgh. J. C. Baker, 1st, $1.00.

White Chasselas. G. B. Sawyer, 1st, $1.00; J. C. Baker, 2d,
50c.

Lady Downes. J. C. Baker, 1st, $1.00.

Buckland Sweet Water. J. C. Baker, 1st, $1.00 ; Geo. B. Saw-
yer, 2d, 50c.

22 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Red Chasselas. J. C. Baker, 1st, $1.00 ; G. B. Sawyer, 2cl, 50c.

For best exhibition of grapes grown in open air. J. S. Hoxie,
North Fairfield, 1st, $5.00 ; D. P. True, Leeds Center, 2d, $3.00.

For best single variety grown in open air. Charles I. Perley,
Seward's Mills, (Champion) 1st, $2.00 ; J. S. Hoxie, North Fairfield
(Delaware), 2d. $1.00.

For 3 bunches Delaware. E. K. Whitney, Harrison, 1st, $1.00 ;
Silas M. Wing, Phillips, 2d, 50c.

Concord. E. K. Whitney, Harrison, 1st, $1.00; W. R. Wharff,
Gardiner, 2d, 50c.

Hartford Prolific. S. P. Robie, Auburn, 1st, $1.00; E. K.
Whitney, 2d, oOe.

Rebecca. E. K. Whitney, 1st, $1.00.

Massasoit. J. S. Hoxie, 1st. $1.00.

Salem. E. K. Whitney, 1st, $1.00.

Worden. J. S. Hoxie, 1st, $1.00.

Brighton. PL K. Whitney, 2d, 50c.

Moore's Early. J. S. Ploxie, 1st, $1.00; E. K. Whitney, 2d,
50c.

Class IV— PLUMS.

For best general exhibition of plums, not less than ten varieties.
John Dunton, Lewiston, 1st, $8.00 ; Elijah Low, Bangor, 2d, $5.00.

For best dish of plums of a single variety. Moses Crafts. Auburn,
(Red Magnum Bonum) 1st, $2.00 ; E. W. Dunbar, Damariscotta,
(Niagara), 2d, $1.00.

For best dish Green Gage. E. W. Dunbar, Damariscotta, 1st,
$1.00; Frank E. Nowell, Fairfield, 2d, 50c.

Purple Gage. Nelson Ham, Lewiston, 1st, $1.00; J. S. Hoxie,
North Fairfield, 2d, 50c.

Yellow Gage. Moses Crafts, Auburn, 1st, $1.00; Frank E.
Nowell, Fairfield, 2d, 50c.

Prince's Imperial Gage. E. W. Dunbar, Damariscotta, 1st, $1.00 ;
H. J. A. Simmons, Waldoboro', 2d, 50c.

General Hand. Frank E. Nowell, P\iirfield, 1st, $1.00.

Lawrence. J. S. Hoxie, North Fairfield, 1st, $1.00.

Mooer's Arctic. J. S. Hoxie, Nortli Fairfield, 1st, $1.00.

McLaughlin. E. W. Dunbar, Damariscotta, 1st, $1.00.

Bavay's Green Gage. George B. Sawyer, Wiscasset, 1st, $1.00 ;
Nelson Ham, Lewiston, 2d, 50c.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETr. 23

Lombard. G. B. Sawyer, Wiscasset, 1st, $1.00; Moses Crafts,
Auburn, 2d, 50c.

Magnum Bonum (Red). M. P. Hawkins, 1st, $1.00; G. B.
Sawj'er, 2d, 50c.

Smith's Orleans. Nelson Ham, Lewiston, 1st ; D. P. True, Leeds
Center, 2d.

Class V— MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES, CANNED
FRUITS, PRESERVES, ETC.

Best peck of cultivated cranberries. Silas M. Wing, Temple,
$2.00 ; Dr. J. A. Morton, Bethel, $1.00.

Best variety of canned fruits, preserves, pickels, etc., made and
put up by the exhibitor. Mrs. D. H. Colby, Lewiston, $3.00;
Mrs. C. A. Miller, Lewiston, $2.00.

Best specimen of canned peaches. Mrs. A. W. Penle}', $2.00 ;
Mrs. M. Phauenf, $1.00.

Best specimen of canned plums. Mrs. D. H. Colby, $1.00 ; Mrs.
C. A. Miller, 50c.

Best specimen of canned strawberries. Moses Crafts, Auburn,
$1.00; Mrs. F. Hoyt, Winthrop, 50c.

Best specimen of canned raspberries. Moses Crafts, $1.00 ; Mrs.
E. A. Laphara, Pittston, 50c.

Best specimen of canned cherries. Mrs. J. R. Hall, $1.00 ; Mrs.

C. A. Miller, 50c.

Best specimen of canned quinces. Miss A. M. Jordan, Auburn,
$1.00; Mrs. D. H. Colby, 50c.

Best specimen of canned tomatoes. S. E. Leavitt, Auburn,
$1.00 ; Miss A. M. Jordan, 50c.

Best specimen of preserved quinces. Mrs. F. Hoyt, $1.00;
Miss. A. M. Jordan, 50c.

Best specimen of preserved apples. Mrs. M. Phauenf, $1.00;
Miss A. M. Jordan, 50c.

Best specimen of preserved plums. S. E. Leavitt, $1.00; Mrs.

D. H. Colby, 50c

Best specimen of preserved pears. Mrs. D. H. Colby, $1.00;
Mrs. E. A. Lapham, 50c.

Best specimen of preserved strawberries. Mrs. M. Phauenf,
$1.00 ; A. B. Chipman, New Gloucester, 50c.

24 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Best specimen of preserved raspberries. Miss Addie Laphtim,
Pittston, $1.00 ; Mrs. D. P. True, Leeds, oOe.

Best specimen of preserved currants. Miss A. M. Jordan, $1.00 ;

A. B. Chipman, 50c.

Best specimen of preserved cherries. Mrs. C. A. Miller, $1.00;
Mrs. D. H. Colby 50c.

Best jar assorted pickles. Mrs. E. A. Lapham, $1.00; Mrs. A.

B. Strattard, Monroe, 50c.

Best specimen tomato catsup. Miss A. M. Jordan, $1.00 ; Mrs,

A. W. Penley, 50c.

Best jar quince jelly. Miss A. M. Jordan, $1.00; Mrs. C. A.
Miller, 50c,

Best jar apple jelly. Mrs, F. Hoyt, $1.00; Miss C. M. Butts,
Canaan, 50c.

Best jar grape jelly. Miss A. M, Jordan, $1.00; Mrs. C. A.
Miller, 50c.

Best jar currant jell3\ Miss A, M, Jordan, $1.00 ; Miss C.
M. Butts, 50c.

Best jar strawberry jelly, Mrs. F. Hoyt, $1.00; Mrs. D. H.
Colby, 50c,

Best specimen of evaporated apple. J. J. Towle, South Carthage,
$1.00,

Class VI— FLOWERS.

In this class no article can be entered for more than one pre-
mium. All plants and flowers entered for premium must positively
be in their places at the exhibition room on the second day of the
fair, at 10 o'clock A. M,

For best display of cut flowers, filling not loss than one hundred
phials. Mrs. Chas. Stanley, Wlnthrop, $10.00 ; Mrs. G. B. Sawyer,
Wiscasset, $8.00; Miss Cora E. Ring, Richmond, $5.00; Mrs. A,

B. Strattard, $3.00.

For best exhibition of roses, not less than ten varieties, Perez
S. Burr, Freeport, $5,00.

Dahlias, ten varieties. Mrs, Chas. Stanley, $2.00 ; Miss Abbie
E. Ring, Richmond, $1.00.

Chinese Pinks. Mrs, Chas, Stanley, 50c.

Japan Lilies, Mrs. A, B, Strattard, $1.00,

Asters, ten varieties. Mrs, A. T. Clifford, Leeds Center, $1,00 ;
Mrs. Chas. Stanley, 50c.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 25

Pansies. Mrs. Chas. Stanley, $1.00 ; Mrs. A. B. Strattard, 50c.

The committee recommend a handsome gratuity to Mr. David B.
Woodbury of Paris for a fine disphiy of seedling pausies.

Zinnias. Mrs. Chas. Stanley, $1.00.

Phlox Drummondii. Mrs. Chas. Stanley, $1.00.

Balsams. Mrs. Chas. Stanley, oOc.

Petunias. Mrs. A. B. Strattard, $1.00 ; Mrs. Chas. Stanley, 50c.

Gladiolus. Miss L. M. Pope, Manchester, S2.00; Mrs. J. W.
Thomas, Rockland, $1.00.

Verbenas. Miss. L. M. Pope, $2.00 ; Mrs. Chas. Stanley, $1.00.

SECOND DIVISION.

Best pair of parlor bouquets. Mrs. Chas. Stanley', $1.00; Mrs.
J. M. Thomas, 50c.

Wall bouquets. Mrs. Chas. Stanley, $1.00 ; Mrs. A. B. Strattard,
oOc.

Hand bouquets. Mrs. J. W. Thomas, $1.00 ; Mrs. A. B. Strat-
tard, 50 c.

Floral pillow. Mrs. A. B. Strattard, $2.00.

Floral design. Miss L. M. Pope, $5.00 ; John Burr, Freeport,
$3.00; Mrs. Chas. Stanley, $2.00.

Dinner tal)le decoration. INIrs. J. W. Thomas, $1.00.

Basket of wild flowers. Mrs. F. Hoyt, $1.00; Mrs. D. H.
Knowlton, Farmington, 50c.

Exhibition of dried grasses. Mrs. A. T. Gifford, $2.00 ; Mrs.
Chas. Stanley, $1.00.

Everlasting flowers. Miss Cora E. Ring, 81.00; Mrs. A. T.
CiiflTord, 50c.

Dish of cut flowers. Mrs. A. B. Strattard, $1.00.

Fancy basket of flowers. Miss Cora Stanley, Winthrop, $2.00 ;
Mrs. A. B. Strattard. $1.00.

Single pot plant. Mrs. E. A. Lane, Auburn, 50c.

Proceedinsfs of the Winter Meeting.

The annual "Winter Meeting of the Society was held in the hall of
the Turner Center Grange at Turner, on Wednesday' and Thursday,
February 17th and 18th, 188G. The forenoon was occupied b}' a
business meeting of the Society. At this meeting the annual reports
of the Secretary and Treasurer were presented, accepted and placed
on file. The election of officers for the ensuing j'ear also took
place. The Treasurer's statement and the names of officers elected
will be found in other parts of the report. There was a ver^' credit-
able displa}' of winter varieties of apples ; and in the material pre-
sented for consideration, the numbers in attendance, and the spirit
and interest of the meeting, it was one of the best the Society- has
ever held.

FIRST DAY. AFTERNOON.

The Society met at 1.30 o'clock P. M., Vice President D. J.
Briggs in the chair. Dr. J. T. Gushing of Turner was tlien intro-
duced, who delivered the following Address of Welcome :

ADDEESS OF WELCOME.
By Dr. J. T. Gushing.
Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Maine State Pomological
Society : — We are come together to-day, first to welcome you to the
hearts and homes of our town. You represent an organization we
are proud to have come among us — a company of men to whom the
State of Maine owes a debt of gratitude. If he is a benefactor to
the whole human race "who causes two blades of grass to grow
where onh' one grew before," what can we sa^' of a company of
men through whose efforts our hill-sides have blossomed as the rose,
and our storehouses and cellars have been filled to overflowing with
the fruits of the earth.

(26)

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 27

We are proud to say this to 3011, brethren of the Maine State
Pomological Society. We are proud to ascribe to 3'Ou honor for the
name and fame of our Maine apple industry whose line has gone out
through all the earth, 3'ea, even to the ends thereof. We are glad
to say to you that your interests are ours — interests that the labors
3'OU perform in 30ur meetings, and the thoughts 3'Ou bring forward,
bear their fruit all over this broad State, in better apples, more and
more acceptable to the world at large, which has already learned that
the apples of Maine are firmer, more highl3' flavored, and better
keepers, than those grown in a milder climate on richer soil. We
are told in our geographies and our children are taught in our schools,
that the exports of Maine are hay, lumber and ice. It is time that
apples were added to the list. Indeed during the past 3'ear I have
taken pains to bring this fact to the minds of both teachers and pupils.
In fruit culture, I believe that Maine is 3'et in her swaddling bands ;
our eyes have been closed and our ears have been stopped. We
have not realized our capabilities nor our resources, but of these
things I trust we shall hear later. We realize that it is to such men
as 3'OU that we are indebted for the transformation of the stunted,
inedible crab to such varieties as the blushing, luscious Baldwin, the
golden Pippin and the delicate Bellflower.

We do not welcome you to-da3^ to a town entirely new in the art
and science of fruit culture ; on the contrary we have not a few names
among us whose successes and achievements in this line are well
known to 3'ou. To them we commend 3'ou ; for even as a diamond
can onl3- be polished b3' its own dust, so will 3'our work be rendered
more peifect by the co-operation of the men who are working in the
orchards and gardens of ever3' section of the State. So we welcome
3'ou to Turner, knowing that if we had no higher motive for our hos-
pitality than a selfish one. we should be amph' repaid b3' the good
things you will bring us out of your storehouse of wisdom. We have
not been left in doubt as to the origin of fruit. We find that the
Creator gave to Adam, in the garden, trees good for food, trees
yielding fruit, and that these were not put in as an afterthought of
creation, but were placed upon the earth the third da3'. And if, as
we believe, the troubles of man began with that fruit, we can console
ourselves with the thought of this meeting, and of many other similar
assemblies, where much good has been added to the aggregate of
man's life from this same source.

28 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

In the da3s of the gods and heroes, a famous company was once
gathered at a wedduig feast upon Mt. Olympus. The godde.as,, Dis-
cord, had been slighted, wlien the invitations to the banquet went
round, and to revenge herself upon the compan}', she tluew among
them a golden apple, inscribed "To the fairest." Jupiter, as the
king of gods and men, was asked to award this prize ; but as his
own wife was among the claimants for the honor it bore, the prudent
Jove sliiCLcd his burden of responsibility to the shoulders of Paris, a
shepherd of Mt. Isla, who, after much deliberation and consideration
of rival claims, awarded it to Venus the goddess of love and beauty.
We shall have among us here, I trust, no apple of Discord, but there
is a prize to be won. It ma}^ be won by many, and even by all. It
is inscribed not "to the fairest," but to "faithful, earnest workers,"
and is given to all who put the energ}' and earnestness of their lives
into the work which is around them.

This prize, a successful life and its results, is worth the winning,
and will be awarded, now, as in the days of the shepherd judge, to
those who have a spirit of love and beauty, a spirit of brotherly love
and an appreciation of the beauty and grandeur and nobility of
labor, which was not given to man as a curse but as a life-long
blessing. We must enter upon and pursue the strife intelligently,
with a due appreciation of its meaning. And to organizations like
yours we owe the increase of IVatertial feeling, and the added sense
of the personal responsibility of the labor which is such a blessing
to us in this age and generation. This interchange of thought and
comparison of experiences add interest, even to drudgery, and we
thank 3'ou for them. We are glad you have met with us. We wel-
come j'ou to Turner !

The response to the above address was made, in behalf of the
Society, by the Secretaiy, Mr. Samuel L. Boardman.

Following the above. President Pope was introduced, who pro-
ceeded to pronounce his annual address.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 2ft

ANNUAL ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT,

Charles S. Pope.

Ladies and Gentlemen : — Once more it becomes my duty to address
3'ou on a subject in which we are all deepl}- interested. From the
repoits of the Secretary- and Treasurer you have learned of the
financial condition of the Society. While we are somewhat in debt,
we have been able the past year to keep our expenses within our
receipts, and we hope the time will soon come when our people will
realize the growing importance of the fruit business in Maine and
be readv to aid us in repaying our loans and in building up a live
societ\'.

Fruit growing in Maine is only in its infancv. ATe expect in a few
3'ears to see more apples shipped from Portland than from any other
port in the countr}-, and our markets and summer hotels furnished
with small fruits from Maine gardens.

Where can the beginner get information better than by joining this
Society' and attending its meetings, where he may learn from the
successes and failures of practical men.

If our fruit growers would mingle together more, there would be
less mone\' wasted in the purchase of varieties not adapted to this
section, and in paying the tree peddler more per dozen for plants and
trees than they would cost by the luindred at the nursery.

One is apt to become rusty hy keeping too closely at home, and
perhaps a little narrow and bigoted. AVe remember some years ago,
seeing a man driving pine plugs in the holes where the apple tree
borer left the tree, thinking to smother him, and we have seen
several people latel}' who are satisfied that the disease called "sun
scald" is caused by the flat-headed borer, and that apples must be
allowed to "sweat" before they are in condition to pack away.
Twentj- years ago we thought we knew the whole storj'. AVe now
realize how much there is to learn and the great advantage to be
gained by contact with wide-awake men.

This is a suitable time to review the work of our fall exhibition
and see where we can change and improve our methods, and any
suggestions from interested parties would, no doubt, be gratefully
received b^' the executive committee. The arrangement to hold our
exhibition in connection with the State Agricultural Society seems

30 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

to give better satisfaction to the people at large, than a separate
fair at a different date ; as few of our people can afford the time or
expense to attend two exhibitions.

Our system of judging is not what we could wish, nor can we
expect it to be until we can afford to engage experts from a distance
who are not acquainted with the exhibitors, and will be free from all
personal prejudice.

Very little has ever been done in correcting mistaken nomenclature
at our fruit exhibits. The committee, when examining fruit, will pass
without comment those specimens incorrectly marked, much to the
dissatisfaction of the exhibitor, who cannot understand wh}' his
fruit was overlooked, and probably hard feelings are engendered
and perhaps the judges charged with favoritism.

To prevent the loss of articles at the close of the exhibition, we
think it necessary to enforce the rule that no one shall be allowed
in the hall at that time, except those that have a pass with permission
to remove goods.

There is one subject I have spoken of before, and I propose to
bring it before 3'ou at every opportunit3\ It is to urge this Societ}' to
do all in its power to induce orchardists to be more careful in sorting
their fruit.

I am aware that we have a better reputation now than a few years
ago, but there is still room for great improvement. There is nothing
gained by putting half a bushel of No. 2 apples in a barrel with No.
1. For example, a barrel of apples as ordinarily packed will sell
for $1,75, from this take half a bushel of the poorer ones and refill
with strictl}' No. 1 apples ; the buyer will readil}^ pay $2.00 for such
fruit, the poorer ones will sell for half price and in this way the
farmer gets more monej^, the buyer is better satisfied, and, what is of
more importance, we shall add greatly to our reputation and our self
respect.

How many fruit growers have taken the pains to ascertain how
much it would cost to throw out one-fourth of the poorer apples and
thus make up an extra lot. Let us look at the figures, with apples
at ^1.75 a barrel, four barrels would bring $7.00. Sorting out
one barrel of the smaller and imperfect apples, worth at least one
dollar, the balance would cost ^2.00. Onlj' 25 cents more on a
barrel, but worth for exporting at least fifty cents more.

With an unusually large crop of apples for an off 3"ear, we have
been receiving a fair price for late-keeping varieties suitable for

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 31

shipping, while ordinary fall apples were hardl}' worth gathering.
I hope we shall not be slow to see that if we would compete suc-
cessfully with other fruit sections, we must take advantage of the
better keeping qualities of our apples and plant those varieties largely
that will keep until the more perishable fruit is disposed of. After
another 3-ear's experience we are more than ever convinced that it
is for our interest to take more pains in keeping our apples for late
shipment. "We think it would be a paying investment for some party
to put up a building for cold storage in Portland, where those who
have not facilities at home could send their apples in the fall, to be
kept until wanted for shipment. There would be the advantage of
lower freight, no danger from freezing in transportation, and the
apples could be kept in better condition than in a house cellar, where
it is almost impossible to keep a cool, even temperature.

With the increase of our orchard products the time will soon come
when we shall not be able to obtain second-hand barrels in which to
pack our apples, nor do we consider this a cause for regret. As soon
HS there is an established demand some parties will be ready to
manufacture good barrels at a fair price. The gain will more than
compensate for the extra cost. First in the improved appearance of
the apples when the barrels are opened, for a small quantity of flour
will remain between the staves of the old barrels even when carefully
cleaned, which will be dusted over the apples when moved to mould
and thus injure the appearance and sale of the fruit. The gain in
having the heads all made to fit will be appreciated by those who
have ever had experience in trying to head old barrels, when the top
hoops were gone and a head to be made from odd pieces. Now is
the time for us to see what measures should be taken to establish a
uniform size for the apple barrel and avoid the trouble which some
of the fruit growers have had in other States. There should be a
uniform size throughout the United States and then there could be
no trouble between buyer and seller on that point.

Our best orchardists have become convinced that a seedling tree
is the best, all things considered, from which to start an orchard.
For a few years past the call for good seedling apple trees has been
larger than the visible supply. Thousands of trees would be set the
coming spring could they be obtained. Here is a chance for some
man to engage in a paying business. But a man without experience
would be likely to lose money in the attempt.

32 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

While encouraging the planting of more fruit trees let us be careful
to warn all, that the enthusiasm must reach farther than the mere
planting. AVe cannot expect to raise choice fruit without constant
care. The increasing depredations of insects must be met with
increased vigilance. We have enough poor fruit ; what we want is
a superior article, that will sell for remunerative prices, even in
season of plenty. Last fall when apples were hardly worth picking
in some orchards in New England, we knew of Maine-grown apples
being sold in Boston for five dollars a barrel. To get the highest
price we must raise the best varieties, and pack onl\' choice specimens,
well pressed down in clean barrels.

A slack, lazy, shiftless man will never make much money by
orcharding. With the enemies we now have to contend, a man con-
not lounge in the shade and make a fortune raising fruit. He must
keep up a constant warfare and keep himself well posted on the best
methods of cultivating and enriching his land and fighting the
enemies.

Although the apple is our most important fruit, we must not ignore
the smaller fruits and we propose at this meeting to give a little time
to the consideration of the best varieties and methods of cultivation
of some of these. So short a time is necessary- after planting straw-
berries, raspberries and blackberries before we have a full crop, that
many of our farmers now see the advantage of at least supplying
their own tables with the small fruits.

It is wonderful how the contagion spreads in a neighborhood when
some one begins the raising of these fruits and demonstrates how
much easier it is to raise their own berries than it is to range the
woods and fields for an inferior article. I have no doubt the time is
near at hand when acres of small fruits will be planted for market,
as we have the same advantage in these as in apples ; thej' come to
market after the southern-grown fruit is gone and prices have ad-
vanced.

One of the most important subjects to be considered at this time is

that of obtaining horticultural statistics for the benefit of the grower.
He should be informed of the probable yield of the different kinds of
fruit and the consequent probable demands for the same, and thus be
prepared to sell at a fair price. The fruit dealers keep themselves
prett\' well informed on the condition of the crop of the country and
are frequently able to take advantage of those who are not posted.
There is a chance for loss in two ways : one in selling too low, and

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 33

another, when there is a small crop in this section we are liable to
think the price must be high, and perhaps hold too long While a
system of reports for this State, onW, raa}' be of great value, it is
small when compared with what we need. Our Commissioner of
Agriculture should organize a sj-stem for the whole countr}-. From
his address before the American Pomological Societj', we find he
realizes the importance of having reliable reports in this department.
Can we not at this time take some action to aid in forwarding the
work? I would suggest the appoiniing of a committee to confer with
other horticultural societies, and witli the United States Commis-
sioner on the subject.

The planting of shade trees along the highways and about our
school-houses, and the ornamentation of our homes, might receive a
new impetus if we would take it up in connection with the other work
of the Society.

There is too much truth, even now, in Whittier's picture of country
life.

"The eye and ear
And heart are starved ninidst the plentitude
Of nature, and how hard and colorless
Is life witliout an atmosphere. I look
Across the lapse of half a ceiiturj'
And call to mind old homesteads, where no flower
Told that the spring had come, but evil weeds,
>iiiihtsliade and rough leaved burdock, in the place
Of the sweet doorway greetino; of the rose
And lioiiej'-suckle; where the house-wall seemed
Blistering in the sun, without a tree or vine
To cast the tremulous shadow of its leaves
Across the cnrtainless window."

Much lament has been made in our newspapers and out, because
our sons and daughters leave the farm for more congenial emplo}'-
ment the moment they are at liberty to do so. We admit the fact,
but believe that in making the home attractive we have an easy and
ctTectual remedy. We need not undertake great things in the shape
of elaborate driveways, expensive gravelled walks and costly foreign
trees and shrubs. A clean, well-kept lawn is within the reach of
any Maine farmer, and, at very little expense and trouble, our forests
will supply him with shade and ornamental trees, and the woodbine
is at hand to festoon his buildings or fences. To these may be
added from the nurseries such trees, shrubs or plants as taste may
dictate or means permit.

34 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

In these days of cheap seeds, a flower garden for the girls of the
family is not an expensive luxury, and well repa3^s all trouble in the
robust heallh produced by the out-door life, not to mention the
refining influence on all parties. We can readily understand that
voung people who have helped thus to beautif}' their homes will be
&o closely attached to them as to require a strong inducement to
begin an untried and uncertain life in a city.

We call to mind a charmingly shaded village where the enthusiasm
of two or three men finally roused nearly all the others, and they
planted sijade trees on botii sides of every street in the village.
We see no reason why the faimers of a neighborhood should not thus
join together, taking their boys with thera, and give their time, for
one or more gala days, to planting trees by the roadside and on the
school-house grounds, thus adding to the attractiveness of the country
and the comfort of travellers.

In closing we would say, we have never felt more encouraged in
regard to the future of our Society. We are confident that fruit
growing in Maine will increase until it shall become one of our lead-
ing industries, and while tliose who are laboring to promote this
end may not receive much pecuniary benefit, they have the satisfac-
tion ot knowing that they have assisted others as well as themselves,
which will be for them a sufficient reward.

At the conclusion of the President's Address, D. H. Knowlton,
A. 8. Kicker and C. A. Libby, were appointed a committee to take
into consideration the suggestions and recommendations of the same,
.and to report at a subsequent hour. The programme was then con-
tinued with the paper of Mr. Pike, read in his absence by Mr. W.
P. Atlierton.

WHERE, AND OF WHOM SHALL WE PROCURE NURSERY

STOCK?
By N. R. Pike.

The increasing demand for all kinds of nursery stock makes these
<piestioHS ot importance to every man who contemplates starting an
<M-chard, a vineyard, a strawberry, raspberry, or blackberry* patch.
And, though there may be some diversity of opinion in relation to the
correct answer, I beg leave to state my own views on these points.

I think I stated in a former paper read before this Society, that
from my own experience and observation, I was confident it did not

STATE POJIOLOGICAL SOCIETT. " 35

SO much matter where nursery stock was grown, as liovj it was
grown. And I still hoUl to tliat opinion. Yet, for the following
reasons, my preferences are for Maine-grown stock. Not neglected
fence-corner scrub stock, neither that which has been forced to form
a soft, coarse-celled, spongy growth, like much of the stock brought
among us from other States. All such stock, wherever grown, is
worse than worthless for the State of Maine. Each year's growth
should be well ripened and firm at the end of each growing season.

1 speak from actual experience wiien I say that Maine-grown stock
can be produced of far better quality thau the average stock sold by
smootii-tongued canvassers from other States and at half the price
often paid for such stock. A vender of this sort said to me recently
that it cost as much to dispose of his goods as it did to grow them.
This statement needs no comment. Furthermore, it is a fact, though
peihaps not generally known, that many of the canvassers for the sale
of nursery goods are employed hy men who never owned an interest
in a nursery in their lives, but who, on getting in their orders, go to
some New York nurseryman, and, at a small cost, procure such stock
as no reliable nurseryman cares to send out in his own name, with
which to fill these orders. And, in my opinion, this is one of the
reasons why so much prejudice exists against New York stock.
Another reason wh}' we should prefer Maine-grown stock, though
often urged upon our notice, will bear repeating, viz : The saving
of a large amount of money at home that now goes out of the State.
And yet another reason of still more importance is, that stock pro-
cured near home may be had fresh from the ground and in good con-
dition, while \.\v3it pressed into huge boxes and shipped from a dis-
tance is always more or less damaged, and often rendered worthless
from causes occasioned by long dtilays while in transit.

There are locations in everv county in the State where all kinds of
nursery stock adapted to our climate may be successfully grown.
In fact, probably there is not a farm in Maine where such stock could
not, to some extent, be grown with success and profit.

I think Mr. Atherton stated at the last winter meeting that the
principal reason why nurseiy business did not meet with a more
decided success in this State, was a lack ot practical knowledge.
This, to a considerable extent, is probably true, and is suggestive of
a grand opening to the right man in the right place. And it occurs
to me that a few young men of the right stamp could not do a
wiser thing than to serve an appenticeship of at least one year in

36 STATE P03I0L0GICAL SOCIETY.

learning the details of the business, then return to Maine and make
this their chosen and permanent profession. I believe almost
unbounded success and tlie supply of an urgent demand awaits such
an enterprise. And I am inclined to the opinion that this Society
can no way more successfully advance the interests of the cause
they represent than to make such effort as will result in this end.

But what I more particularly wish to impress upon the minds of
those in want of any kind of nursery stock, is to give all canvassers
a short answer and wide berth. And if the goods required can not
be obtained at home, to give their orders direct to some reliable
nurseryman in some other State. By so doing, stock true to name,
of good quality when shipped, and at less cost, including cost of
transportation, may be obtained. And in no case trust to the wily
tramp who perambulates every town in the State, seeking whom he
may beguile with his smooth words and pretty pictures. And here,
I beg leave to make a statement of a case in point showing the ad-
vantages of ordering direct from the pioducer.

A certain party in the good old town of Winthrop, being desirous
of entering into the cultivation of a good assortment of the small
fruits for family' use, interviewed several of the tramps alluded to,
and found their prices invariably as much for twelve plants as the cost
of one hundred ordered direct from the nurseryman and delivered in
Winthrop. These facts, alone, not only make plain the situation, but
commend themselves to the consideration of every one who contem-
plates growing fruit. And now while my pen is inked, I beg leave
to call attention to the importance of small fruit culture. I wish to
say to ever}' man who has a family and owns a half acre of land,
that there is no use to which he can devote a few square rods that
will give so much satisfaction as the cultivation of a good assortment
of the small fruits.

With comparative!}' a small outla}', and by devoting a little spare
time to the pleasant occupation of cultivating the plants, and with
the present facilities for keeping for future use whatever is desn*able,
every family may enjoy the pleasure of having some one of the small
fruits on the table every day in the year. Every one has a penchant
for these fruits, and, to gratify this taste, will range the tield, the
cutdowns, hills and valleys for them in their wild state, while by de-
voting far less time to the cultivation of the improved varieties than
is required to gather the meager suppl}', an abundance of these fruits
of far superior quality may be obtained. I am glad to know that

STATE POMOT.OGICAL SOCIETY. 37

the cultivation of the small fruits is on the increase in INIaiiie, and if
by calling attention to the sul)jects I have introduced shall induce
even a few to give these matters their careful consideration, my ob-
ject in presenting them will so far be accomplished.

Following the paper bj' INIr. Pike, the paper contributed b}- Mr.
Bennoch, was, in his absence, then read by the Secretar}-.

now AXD WHERE SHALL WE PROCURE OUR NURSERY

STOCK?

By John E. Bexxocit.

Asa member of the Maine State Pomological Society, I wish to
discass some points covered by my experience of more than thirty
jeurs among both apple and pear trees. I notice one of the most
important subjects on your programme for the winter meeting is on
procuring nurserv stock. Tliis is to be treated b3' N. R. Pike, who,
I have no doubt, will handle it with ability and present points that
will be of general interest and importance to all fruit growers.

My theory- is that we should grow our trees at home ; raise them
as near as possible to where they are to be transplanted for orchard
purposes. In doing this trees can be removed from the soil with
less mutilation of the roots, can be set sooner and with less expos-
ure of roots, than can possibly be done with trees taken from
commercial nurseries a long distance awa}' from ns, which are
quickly and unnaturall}'' grown, causing in nearly all cases a tender
growth. The growth of an apple or pear tree does not want to be
driven beyond its natural process for the first two or three years of
its life from seed. Neither does it from a graft. Any growth stim-
ulated by strong dressing beyond its natural growth in a good soil,
is unhealth}', is injurious to the trees, and produces disease, such
as black heart, dropping of sap, tender growth, easily winter killed
and unabled to ripen up its wood for its own winter's sleep. All
these diseases can be traced back to the forcing processes of growth
of trees in the nursery.

In m}' visit to Sherman, Aroostook Countv. last fall, I was more
fully convinced than ever that if the laws of nature are closi'ly
observed in the growing of products of the vegetable kingdom, the
better would be the results. In many cases let the seeds take iheir
own course and many lessons can be learned, by watching and
studying the growth, and results, and products of the plant creation.

38 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

I refer to a number of specimens and varieties (unnamed) of natural
seedlings, some of which I should judge at the time of eating would
be very tine. These seedlings, as described to me, were the pro-
duct of natural seed, and to my mind convinced me of the theory
I have long held. F. K. Phccnix of Bloomingdale, 111., is, I tliinii,
one of the strong advocates of this theor\' and plan. I i>elieve in
taking seed from large, good-grown, natural fruit, both apple and
pear, to obtain hardy, strong fruit trees, and when a cluuice seed-
ling shows itself it is generally a good one. It takes strong varieties
to produce strong varieties, and this, I believe, is the only way to
create strong sorts both as relates to hardihood and quality. Nearly
all of our older noted varieties of fruit are chance seedlings, and
grew natural and produced natural results. We have an account of
about all of the hybrids and fancy fertilized varieties (Wealthy in-
cluded) and not one of tliem ranks with our older varieties such as
Baldwin, Northern Spy, Ilubbardston and many others we all could
mention ; and these we can well aflirm received no other attention
than what they received from the natural gifts of the storehouse of
mother earth. This is a lesson that will admit of greater study than
it generall}' receives.

Trees coming from the hot-bed nurseries of New York and else-
where as geuerally grown are not the trees for Maine men and orchard-
ists to set out. I have heard men say in years past that they have
orchards that are fine, and I also have seen tliem growing, but to-day
many of them are showing signs of disease and decay. "Owing to
what?" some will ask. I answer, owing to high feeding at the start,
and being too quickl}' grown. This tells the whole story, and still
farmers persist in buying and setting out these trees to meet with
disappointment and failure. If I were to set a New York tree,
crown grafted, I would not set any variety other than Northern Sp3'
and Talman's Sweet to secure hardiness. The Spys I would re-graft
on setting with bearing scions of the same variety. I do not claim
that at this day a Northern Spy is a tardy bearer, but I think a man
would be likely to die two deaths before a New York or a commercial-
grown Northern Sp3' would bear, owing to being grafted with side
shoots. The advantages are : grow stock from natural seed of good
and large fruit at home for home orchards, graft well up with good
bearing scions. The disadvantages are : plant trees sent hundreds
of miles with roots mutilated and exposed, of tender and unknown

STATC POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 39

varieties, that on producing (if ever) doom you to disappointment
after years of toil and favorable expectation.

I think and believe that on the cold line of apple growing the short-
jointed, stabbed growth endures the cold better than the long-jointed,
spi-eading varieties. I also think that in jiroducing seedlings, those to
plant from good natural seed raised in their vicinity would be the best
way to promote hardihood ; that they would be more likely to meet
with success than in any other wa^'. The best way to procure pear
seedlings is from the native pear seed, then graft with Flemish Beaut}',
then double work up with other varieties as may suit you. I mean
in Maine and other like climates.

In referring again to the short-jointed growth on the cold line I will
explain now what I then omitted to do. The short growth spoken of
ripens up quicker than the opposite, and that is one of the main points
as to wintering free from winter killing. AH woods that ripen late
are more likely to have a hard winter of it, especially in the North.

With me the insect problem is one that still needs stud}-. The
borer I consider is the worst of all pests that infest the apple orchard
and I know of but one sure way to stop it, which is to prevent the
beetle from depositing the egg. This can be done b}- wrapping the
trunk with cedar or an}^ other kind of bark and inserting the bottom
of the bark into the ground half an inch or more. This pest is, I
think, on the increase, and great care should be taken to prevent its
ravages. Borers have infested orchards the past season wdiere they
have never been seen before. Hundreds of apple trees are dying
from the effects of the borer. It will pay well to fence orchards of
one acre or even more for a poultr}' run. With me the past season
the codlin moth has not troubled my trees. Sheep and hogs kill a
great manv if allowed to pick up windfalls, which the}' should. The
apple maggot bids fair to cause great trouble. I have had none as
^•et, but I know of orchards within four miles that have been nearly
destroj'ed by them — in fact, some varieties entirely so, the Fameuse
and Gravenstein so much so that the apples were not harvested. I do
not know what can or will be done, but something should be done by
our Legislature in tliis direction, for I believe that they are destined
to ruin our crops of apples. Wherever the}'^ go they destroy, and all
fruit touched by them is utterly worthless. I hope at this meeting
you will discuss this dreaded pest and try and provide for its future
studv and destruction.

40 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

DISCUSSION.

IMi-. W. P. Atiieuton. I tliiiik that we ought to vcihe our own
trees. I believe that Maine is capable of raising all the trees she
wants. "What we want is young men who have a practical knowl-
edge of the business to take it in charge. There is a great difference
between western-grown trees and Maine trees and I should class the
former as soft and do not think it best to buy then:i. Last year, near
the spring, I wanted twenty-tive Baldwin trees and I went up to Mr.
Chase who couldn't let me have Iheni, so I sent to New York and
got them. When they came 1 undid the bundle and found the roots
bruised. The trees were set out and were taken U]) again in the
fall and tiie bark was found to be soft. The}' were of good height
but had started to bud and the roots were all mangled and cut up.
The}' had been planted and re-planted and re-planted and I knew it.
I set them out again and pruned the roots, tops and suckers. I
should not be disappointed if they all died, as many of them are
already dead. I have always had good luck in securing hardy stock
from western dealers previous to this, and have trees now in my
orchard that are read}' to break down in the fall they hang so full of
Rhode Island Greenings and Baldwins. Fiom one-half acre of New
York trees I have packed one hundred and twelve barrels of apples.
The trees were set seventeen years ago in rows twenty-four by twenty-
four feet apart. These trees are in a favorable location and receive
a good deal of wash and the soil is adapted to the variety. We do
■wrong if we speak of everything out of the State as a humbug. I
do not want to class all as frauds. Many tree venders have no
practical knowledge of the business. We must look out for those
who are not honest.

Hon. KuKus Prince. I am afraid you hear me too often, but in
order to have no time run to waste I will say a few words I do not
want my trees driven too hard. I want my trees fed well for I be-
lieve they are hardier and will make better orchard trees than where
they are forced. Forcing thera makes tlnm black hearted. I can't
see that Maine trees are any better than New York trees. I have
taken up trees after they have been allowed to grow and have found
no more black hearted ones among New York trees than among
Maine trees. High feeding in a nursery makes a good looking tree
but is then black hearted. If a tree is poor it shows itself soon. I

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 41

do not know wh}- New York trees are any more tender than ours.
Tliey raise the same kinds that we do and if we order tender varieties
in New York we get them. Are short-jointed trees most hardj-?
When I see a short-jointed tree I see one with a small apple and I
should graft it as I consider it folly to raise a tree of that kind. I
think a man may safely make that a rule.

Mv. O. C. Nelson. What is a long-jointed tree?

Mr. Pkince. In all natural fruit you find spurs near togetlicr. I
think that when these are near together the tree is short jointed. In
speaking of borers, I visited an orchard in Jay, owned by R. P.
Thompson, in which the trees were done up with tarred paper. We
looked at them and we did not find a borer.

Mr. L. F. Abbott. Is there no danger from using the paper?

Mr. PnixcE. None to tlie bark, and still we found as many there
as we did on those without the paper.

Mr. Nelson. How is the paper fastened on ?

Mr. Prince. With twine.

Mr. Nelson. I will say just one word about New York trees. I
have had some experience in disposing of them. The only difficult}- is
with the purchaser. The nurserymen will agree to furni.sli as many
varieties as the buyer wants and if he can't supply what is ordered
he puts in some other kind to fill the order. New York trees are the
best in our section of the country. Did that gentleman in Jay take
pains to look above the tarred paper?

Mr. Pkince. Mr. Thom[)30u spent an hour in the orchard. The
paper was set down into the ground and we found no borers at all.
I have found them as far as I am concerned.

]\Ir. Nelson. Isn't it possible that the gentleman meant by a
shoit-jointetl tree one branching near the ground?

Mr. PiuN'CE. Perhaps so.

President Pope. As I understand it the buds in short- jointed
trees ai-e very near together on the twigs. In long-jointed trees, as
the Kintr of Tompkins, they are far ai)art.

Mr. Atiierton. Would the Rhode Island Greening be a long-
jointed tree?

Dr. .T. T. Gushing. If a tree is a rapid grower it will be long
jointed.

Mr. Nelson. Would that hold good in all cases? The King of
Toni|)kins is the longest jointed in buds and it is also one of the
hardiest.

42 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETT.

Mr. II. L. Leland. I reside on the cold line, and I tliiiik those
varieties where the buds are close together are hardier than where
they are wide apart. In our count}' the King of Tompliins is not a
hardy variet}'.

Mr. Nelson. If the Baldwin is among our short-jointed trees why
is it a tender variety?

Mr. D. J. BuiGGS. I wisli Mr. Bennoch had given us a little more
light on the apple maggot question. It is a very essential point. In
order to have fruit bring high prices it must be free from worms. I
put tarred paper around fifty pear and ninety Baldwin trees and in
one year I had lost ten of them.

President Pope. "What was the cause?

Mr. Briggs. I think it killed the bark as in removing the paper
the bark all came off.

Dr. CusiiiNG. Did you bind the paper tight?

Mr. Bkiggs. No, sir. I bound it quite loosely. I don't l)elieve
we should use it at all.

President Pope. Were those trees an}- more exposed to the sun
than others in the orchard?

Mr. BPtiGGS. Not any more than others. I set out two or three
hundred trees at the same time.

Mr. W. H. Keith. I would like to bring up the subject of the
sorting of apples. Mr. Ricker, what do you consider a No. 1 apple?

Mr. A. lliCKER. One with no worm holes in the apple, and no
appearance of any.

Mr. Keith. How small size?

Mr. Ricker. I can't tell, but if they are sound and not too small
I put them in.

Mr. Keith. How many put their apples in bins?

Mr. Ricker. Quite a number in our section ; most of them with-
out sorting. This is quite an essential point in regard to reputation.
We do not practice it, but always soi't them before we bin them.

Mr. Briggs. Do you pick off from the tree?

Mr. Ricker. Yes, and then sort on the ground. Of course there
will be some shrinkage. Baldwins shrink about one barrel in tifty,
and out of thirty- five barrels of Bellflowers I only lost aliout four
quarts. Both were binned in the same cellar. Perhaps my case in
sorting is dilferent from some others. I evaporate all No. 2 apples
and have bought No. 2 apples of my neiglibors to evaporate. I put
none but No. 1 apples in the cellar. I sort apples in the lall and if

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETr. 43

particular, by so doing I get a better run. I have seen apple bu3-ers
put in as N. I's, apples which I would not put in. We should club
together to ship. Mr. President, I would like to ask if apple barrels
were scarce last fall?

President Pope. They were. Some were unable to get them.

Mr. Keith. I think it lots of extra work to prepare second-hand
barrels. It looks to me to be very ex[)ensive and la!)orious woik to
wash out every barivl before it can be used. These new l)arrel3 are
better for us. I know some will take old ones because they are
cheaper. I have had good flour liarrels offered to me for fifteen
cents, but I would take new ones at t\veut\-Iive cents instead.

Mr. Prince. Are they planed?

Mv. Keith. No, not wholly.

Mr. Prince. Are they straight or bilge?

Mr. Keith. Bilge.

Mr. S. L. BoARDMAN. What is the kind of wood of which they
are made?

Mr. Keith. Generally birch, but also of other kinds. I think
the}- should be used.

Mr. Kicker. Are they all of the same size?

Mr. Kkitii. Tliey are the same size as a flour barrel.

Mr. J. K. Hammond. Many in our section have had the privilege
of procuring new barrels at from twenty to twenty-five cents each.
We get them, and although there are a number of thousand made
there are not enough to supply all who want them. I would pay
thirty-five cents for them. They are of good stock, planed, heads
planed, and flat hoops. I consider those with flat hoops the best.
They are a little smaller than a flour barrel and save about one
barrel in fourteen. We have had a .sad experience in packing apples.
The men who came to buy apples would buy almost anything and
got us in a bad way of packing. For the past few yeai's we have
shipped our apples across the water. There are but very few in ni}'
section of the country who bin their apples. They sell them all in
the iall of the year.

Mr. Keith. Why were these barrels smaller than flour barrels?

Mr. Hammond. The heads were tlie same size but there was not
so much bilge to them.

Mr. Nelson. I have had some experience with these new barrels.

Mr. Keith. How much did they hold?

Mr. Nelson. They fell short Irom two to four quarts.

44 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Hon. Z. A. Gilbert. In regard to the size of tlie apple barrel I
think we should be cautious. They had a law in New York fixing
tlie dimensions of apple barrels and they are smaller than flour bar-
rels. This resulted in the refusal of buyers to purchase apples
packed in small Iiarrels and their manufacture was stopped and all
fruit is now packed in barrels the size of flour barrels. We shall
have to provide barrels soon, as the apple crop will increase, and
these bairels should be of uniform size. JMuch care should be ex-
ercised in packing, for, as the trade is now managed, the principal
part of the apple crop is sent abroad. If a grower puts up good
fruit he will get no benefit In' selling them to dealers here. Ship
them yourself and in time you will reap the benefit.

President Pope. I will read an extract from a letter from Mr.
Chas. W. Gaifield, Secretary of the American Pomological Society:
"•"VVe use barrels of two sizes, one holding two and three-fourths
bushels, and the other three bushels. Dealers now pa}' twenty-five
cents." Michigan apples are universally packed in new barrels.

Mr. Briggs. It is well known that there are two sizes of barrels,
as cheap flour is put into smaller barrels and pressed harder than the
best flour. I am aware that it will be necessary to purchase new
barrels for the reason that those who purchase our apples will be
better satisfied. I wash my barrels well, but you can't get all the
dirt out. "We must be careful in packing apples. Some purchasers
pack the a[)ples themselves and put in man\- which I should be
ashamed of as No. 1 apples and would reject. Where apples are
packed carelessly the}' are almost sure to open badly. One Canada
dealer has put all kinds of ap[)les in as No. 1 and this will ruin the
market.

This closed the afternoon's discussion.

EVENING SESSION.

President Pope called the meeting to order at 7.30 o'clock, the
hall being filled. The first essay presented was,

WEED YOUK OWN GARDEX.

By ZiLPiiA S. Prince.

In a place where land is as plenty and cheap as it is in INIaine,

surely each one, man, woman and child can have, at least, a .spot

large enough for a garden. Of course, to have a really fine garden,

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 45

it is necessary to have good soil, rieli, fine and mellow. If we can't
have just such as we would, however, we should make the best of
such as we can get. Even poor soil can be worked over, pulverized
and enriched till the waste places may be made to blossom like the
rose.

Thorough preparation of the soil in spring is necessar}-. It must
be spaded deep and well woiked over or many of the best elements
will be of little or no use to the growing plants.

Another essential is plenty of room. Don't try to crowd all
kinds into a quarter of an acre of ground. Have the size and quality
of your plot in mind when deciding wiiat and how many kinds you
will try to raise. Good seed is, if pos.sible, more important than good
soil. If we hope for the best of plants and fruits we shoukl be sure
that all seed used is from the best varieties of thrifty [)lants, ripe,
fresh and pure. The best that can be obtained is none too good and
is cheapest at whatever cost.

Don't hurry. To be sure some plants shonld be started early,
especially if we want green peas for dinner on the Fourth of July, or
the full beauty of our asters befoie the carh- frosts. Most seed
must, however, be sown in dry, warm soil, or it will never gei ininate.

When the ground is read}' and the seed sown our work is but just
begun. For a time, to be sure, we can only wait as patientlv as
may be for the tin}- shoots, l:)ut with those for whicli we are watcliin'i'
we shall undoubtedly find gi'owing many more that we did not sow
and do not want. Tiresome is the work of weeding, but tii-eless
must be the weeder if he liopes for success. Do this as yon should
do eveiytiiing, thorovgldy. Pull up by the root and uttei'ly destroy
every weed as you find it. To break or cut them off witli the hoe
simp!}- makes them grow better. To pull them up and leave them
to die on the ground will, like transplanting desirable plants, make
them thrive. If we think that we have destroyed every one to-day,
careful eyes will find at least one more to-morrow, and here as in all
the work of life we shall find that ''Eternal vigilence is the price of
success."

If all here present are not gardeners in the usual acceptance of
the term, they are in a mucii higher sense. Our minds and characters
are gardens in which each one is in great measure responsible for his
own failure or success. The soil is prepared for us in early ciiildhood
and much of the seed sown. Shielding a child too carefully from
trouble is like smoothing the top of the soil in the other garden and

46 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETT.

leaving tlio depths undisturbed. Everj' one needs the discipline of
trouble as exevy garden needs the spade.

Every person is constant!}' sowing around him seeds, either of
figs or tlii^tles, which are sure to bear fruit in the lives of those
around him. As teachers and parents, some have greater respon-
sibility than others. Crowding here is, as in the other garden, disas-
trous. No child's mind can grasp everything but will intuitively lay
hold on what is best suited to itself. Sow only the best seed — pure
words, loving deeds, kind acts. Seeds of kindness, honesty and
fidtlitv, like the peas, should be sown early, but those of knowledge
may satVly wait.

]\Iost of us have passed the springtime and are now in the busy
summer of life. No matter how much care has been used there are
•^eeds — bad habits, to be found growing in every character. Here
each must do the work for himself and upon his faithfulness depends
the beauty of his life.

A weed found growing in every community is sometimes called
procrastination, sometimes harsher names. A meeting, perhaps like
this, is appointed at ten o'clock. At a little after eleven the president
calls the assembled few to order and soon the first speaker takes his
place. No sooner has he commenced to talk, however, than the
door opens and a few more come in. Quiet is restored onl^- to be
broken again by more and still more tardy ones, till by noon the hall
is well filled. Many of the company not only lost the best paper
given, but annoyed the speaker and disturbed those who were in
season. I know one man, whose garden is freer from weeds tlian
most of ours, who never heeds the call to dinner till he has hoed out
his row, thus keeping the meal waiting and delaying work in the
house. If we could "see ourselves as others see us," many of us
would make a desperate attempt to catch up and keep up.

One of the weeds which demands our constant care as men and
women is fretfulness. I presume all like myself often resolve that
they will conquer this habit, thus hoeing off the top, but how many
of us can say that this plant is never found in our gardens? It is very
easy by giving way to our feelings when something is not done as
we would do it, or when something is forgotten which we consider
important, to fret about it and it may require some determination to
speak pleasantly or some biting of the lips to keep still, but which is
the better way ? Which makes those around us and ourselves hap-
pier? Which will be most likely to make the careless or forgetful

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 47

one reraeinber next time? If each one present will destroy this weed
in his own jL^arden there will be less of the seed ripen to be sown in
those of our neighbors.

Another weed which grows so large as to cast a dark shadow on
some lives is gloominess. If any one when despondent or, as the
saying is. when he has the "■blues", will count up his blessings, he will
find tliat they far out-number his troubles. Many of our blessings
we never think of till we are deprived of them, while we are very
likely to magnify our troubles. Did jou ever know a person with
whom you would exchange places and lives? Mr. A maj' have more
money than 30U, or Mr. B ma}' have some office which you have long
wanted. Learn all you can of the daily life, cares and worries of
both and you will feel satisfied that you do not care to exchange
places with either if you must live his life and do his work. Ever}'
burden is fitted to the shoulders that must bear it. Let us learn to
make our own as light as possible by looking on the bright side of
life.

Two varieties of the live-forever family which all recognize as
weeds, although nearly every one finds one in his own garden, are
known by the names profanity and slang. All of us know that an
oath or a slang expression weakens our speech and injures us in
many ways, yet there are few of us who have destroj'ed the weed.
It was planted in many of the gardens by our fathers and mothers,
but I hope none of us are planting the same for those who come after
us. Daih'. yes, hourly, will be the struggle if this family of plants
is eradicated from our midst, but how much more beautiful will be
the gardens of our lives if we succeed.

How many of us, sisters, are careful to be as neat in our personal
appearance, in the care of our houses, in setting our tables for our
own families as for guests? How man}' of us speak as pleasantly to
members of our own household as to those who are strangers to us?
How many of you, brothers, clean your feet as carefully when enter-
ing your own kitchen as when you go into a neighbor's? How many
of you ever thank your wives and daughters for the favors for which
you are so grateful from a stranger? Is not true politeness at home a
plant which should be carefully tended while we root out all sliams
which make us urge a visitor to come again soon and when she is
hardly out of hearing remark, "O how tiresome she is !" Which make
us a scold at home and a gentleman or a lady away? Let us remem-

48 STATE P05I0L0GICAL SOCIETY.

ber that true politeness comes from the heart and cannot be put oa
with a dress coat, then laid awa}- with it for another state occasion.

All ought to root out false pride and in its place plant the real,
genuine article. How foolish to be proud of a pretty face, fine
clothes, sweet voice, etc., all accidents of birth or circumstances!
On the other hand, who is and should not be proud of being one of
America's noble men, helping to make all around him belter and hap-
pier? All should have sufficient pride to make the best possible use
of all talents given us b}" an ever bountiful Father. «

The last weed I shall mention and one which I hope none of us
have to contend against, is dishonest}'. I do not refer solely to the
taking of thousands of dollars, but to taking advantage of others in
petty dealings, in the weight of a few pounds of sugar, putting the
largest, fairest apples at the top and recommending them as alike all
through, or praising an animal which — well, which for reasons best
known to yourself you are particularly anxious to sell. Let us so
live tliat we can fearlessly look every one in the face, remembering
that "An honest man is the noblest work of God."

Many seeds we planted in our minds and hearts for which we are
not responsible and many more are being planted every day. The
books we read, the work we do, the company we keep, are constantly
changing our lives.

We may get some good from every one into whose company we are
thrown, if it be only because we see in them a magnified image of some
plant which we know should be uprooted in ourselves. We all want
people to think and speak well of us, we desire money and all forms of
material prosperity, but of how little importance are all these when
compared with our minds and hearts. We alone are responsible for
these. Seeds are sown bj^ others but we alone can do the weeding.
Let this be our first care, that in the sight of the Great Master in
the last harvest, no life be found overrun with weeds which we have
allowed to grow.

The next essay, written b}' Mrs. Simpson of Bangor, was read by
Miss Vesta B. Edgecomb of Turner.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 49

THE AKRANGEMENT OF FLOWERS.
By Mrs. Corelli W. Simpson.

Before Eve walked in the garden, flowers bloomed in Eden. "Was
she, to whom no flowers were forbidden, ever known to frown upon
any of the beautiful blossoms that had been her favorites and to
call them weeds, merely because of their abundance?

Any particular rules, as to the arrangement of flowers, would, in
a few weeks' time, be utterly worthless. Fickle fashion changes so
continually that the roses of last month all had to be replaced in the
florist's window by lilies of the valley. But a week since the graceful
lilies were banished to make room for the yellow chr3santhemum.
Yesterday it was the fragant white lilac and to-day it is the modest
violet which occupies the chief place in the ball or drawing-room,
and the florist, like the milliner and dress-maker, is expected to keep
pace with the various moods of the exacting dame.

Fashions may rage in flowers, but the beautiful and fragrant flowers,
like lovely faces and exquisite poems, can never be out of fashion.
A lady friend — a true colorist — and of whom it can be said that the
soul of the artist is portra3'ed in every touch of her brush, in conver-
sation with- me to-day, remarked that ''a sunflower will alwa3s be
beautiful in spite of Oscar Wilde !" A popular freak may make the
dark hair and rich complexion of the Spaniard supersede in public
favor the rage which the hair of Eugenie caused ; nevertheless, the
Titian "red" hair accompanied with its fair complexion and its cor-
responding delicac}' of mind and perception will be none the less
beautiful.

Commerce, by the daily communication of specimens, has made
the once rare exotics now almost common flowers, and we see iu
greenhouses, clover, violets, buttercups and daises advertised as
"very scarce and high in price." In the matter of floral decorations,
to be successful, one must understand the art of producing the
necessary' harmony of colors, the fundamental rules of which are
taught in the kindergarten. Every child is there made to understand
that there are only three primary colors — red, blue and 3ellow. From
these arise the secondar3' colors — orange, composed of yellow and
red ; green, composed of yellow and blue ; and purple, composed of
blue and red. These form contrasting colors to the three primary

4

50 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

colors, with which the}- are in harmonious opposition, as orange with
blue, purple with yellow and green with red. From the combination
of these secondar}' colors arise three tertiary colors — olive, composed
of purple and green; citron, composed of green and orange; and
russet, composed of orange and purple. The tertiary colors are in
harmonious opposition to the secondar}' colors from which the}' are
combined, but the}' form neutral tints to the primary colors, with
which they harmonize. Red, blue and yellow harmonize and«may
be placed near each other, but purple should not be placed near
red or blue, as it is composed of these two colors ; for the same
reason orange should not be placed in juxtaposition to red or yellow,
the rule being that no primary color should be brought into contact
with a secondary color of which itself is a component part ; nor any
secondary color brought into contact with a tertiary color of which
it is a component part. I find exceptions to this rule, but there are
colors and colors, and tones and tones of each color, until one is
so blended into the other that we can scarcely discern where one
leaves off and the other begins. One of my objections is the juxta-
position of the green and blue. One never wearies of the varied
Scotch plaids, in which the green and blue figure so harmoniously
together, and the peacock's feather being toned by the mass of golden
brown which is flecked with the same colors will never cease to fas-
cinate the lover of brilliant coloring ; and, too, every blue flower has
its own green leaves with which it is harmonious. Nature, so lavish
in her blue overhead, is choice of her blue in the blossoms, but there
is one dainty floweret whose blue tint is not reproduced in the floral
kingdom. You ask its name? The little blue eyes will answer you
in the one word, forget-me-not. Another general rule is, that the
secondary and tertiary colors and the neutral tints arising from com-
binations of the tertiary colors — as brown, slate, grey, lavender,
maroon, etc., should be used in lavish quantities, and the primary
colors in sparing quantities for heightening the effect. In combin-
ing red, blue and yellow flowers, use nearly twice as many of the
blue as of the red, and nearly twice as many of the red as of the
yellow, to produce a pleasing harmony. One should always
consider well the back-ground as well as the light to which the
flowers are to be subjected. The whole arrangement may be
spoiled by an unsuitable back-ground, and artificial light so changes
the tints of many flowers that the charm of harmonious effect in the
light of day proves a mortifying failure in the evening. As every

STATE POMOLCJgICAL SOCIETY. 51

face and its natural complexion is best set off by its own natural
hair, and as no dress can be more becoming than the one which will
best harmonize with the hair and e3-es of its wearer, sO a flower can
be accompanied with no tint better suited to grace its stem than ita
own natural leaves, and we are thankful to say that the time has
long since passed when it was considered necessary to strip a plant
of its leaves and conceal its stems, to make its blossoms presentable.
Let a person who has never studied true coloring, and who looks
upon the "hanging forests," the wide-spread meadows with their
hillocks and velvety dales, rich in their varied lights and shades, as
one mass of one color, naraeh', green — a composition of blue and
yellow — I sa}', let such a person attempt to form an harmonious
arrangement of the various leaves without flowers, he would find it no
eas}' task. There are nearh' as many shades of green as of flowers,
and a proper blending of the shades of green requires taste and
experience.

Allow me to illustrate the absurdity once called a bouquet b}' a
short story :

John has loved his Eliza from his earliest recollections and Eliza
loved her John with equal fervency. But a stone wall divided the
broad fields of their sires ; but Eliza was miles away at the time to
which we are referring upon a visit. As John in his loneliness,
caused by the absence of his Eliza, walked around the farm and
among the flower beds, gorgeous to John on account of the number
of plants huddled into each, and as is said of the crazy silk patch-
work quilts "no two alike," he paused before the "crazy" colored
strip beneath the front windows and mused aloud, "If women could
get that coloring into their rugs they'd be beauties !" But just now
a happy thought occurs to the warm-hearted John. "I will send
Lize some flowers, — flowers? Yes, a regular buih: bowkay." To
think, for .John, was to act, and in preparation for the building
(already a massive, brilliant structure arose before his mental vision) ,
he cut flowers of every hue, size and shape, throwing them in a
promiscuous heap upon the stoop, which ran along the front of the
porch. After having, in this manner, collected, as he termed it, a
"cart-load" of flowers, he proceeded to divest each individual blossom
of its natural habiliments. Not a leaf would he allow to remain.
The pure, chaste flower-faces seemed in vain to look up and plead for
their rightful gowns of tender green, but the practical John said,
"A bowkay of posies wouldn't be a bowkay if 'twas stuck full of

52 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

green leaves." Next, he brought a ball of coarse, stout twine which,
in his earlier 3ears, he had intended for a kite string. Sitting upon
the upper step, he commenced in earnest to construct the message
of love for his dearest Eliza. First he selected a tall, large, dull
brown colored zinnia, not at all for its hue, or for the flower, but
because it had a stiaight, stalk-like stem. Tying one end of his
string firml}- and well up to the petals of the flower, he laid it upon
his knees and proceeded to take the nearest blossoms, without regard
to size, color, form or fragrance, and, placing them in a circle close
around the zinnia, he bound the twine many times around the stems.
Proceeding thus the "bowkay" grew in height, circumference and in
weight. '•'There !" he exclaimed as he had drawn the cord so tightly as
to break the slender stems of mignonette and forget-me-nots and other
fine flowers. "Those look purty and graceful enough when growing,
but they are peskily tender-like for a bowkay," and giving it a vig-
orous shake the "pesky," tender blossoms showered down around
his feet, but, at the shaking, he found (using his own words) "the
concern to topple." As a remedy, by the aid of his jack-knife, he
sufficiently sharpened a stick to push it up among the tightly-bound
stems. The stick nearly at the top resisted, but John possessed a
firm arm and a powerful will and a final thrust sent the poor zinnia
flying into the air. The string was broken and the choked and
smothered blossoms rolled out over his knees, down the steps to the
ground, but John's heart was full of love and nothing could ruffle his
temper in such a frame of mind. Piling up another "cart-load" of
flowers, he re-commenced. He tied his stick to another neutral-tinted
zinnia and he was successful beyond his most sanguine expectations,
because his string held out to the end of his flowers and his flowers
to the end of his string. Would not his Eliza measure his love by
both? He saw but one fault, too many white flowers happened to
be piled on one side together, but John was a young man of resource,
equal to the emergency. He twisted a half-blown, red peony bud from
the bush near the stoop, and, taking a pin from his well-filled pin-cush-
ion— the edge of his vest — he fastened the bud to the inside of a large
calla lily ; finding that a success, he fastened two mqi-e above,
exclaiming, "By hokey ! Eyes and mouth! That's me, and just
in the nick of time, too." He hailed the passing stage-driver, to
whom he confided the "structure" and message, "A bowkay for
Eliza."

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 53

Not less absurd and grotesque are the devices wrought with flowers
for public occasions, and more particularly at funerals. It would be
no more ridiculous to build a roof over the forest than to bring such
quantities of flowers which need the pure air to the very heavens, as
are seen in the various fantastic designs at halls, churches and even
in daint}' libraries. As I pause in writing, I can see a branch of an
apple tree from m}- window. Yesterda}' it was clad in an icy armor
which reflected in the sunlight as if bedecked with diamonds.
To-day it it is wrapped in a mantle of snowy ermine no less beau-
tiful in its stainless purity, "still life" it is called, yet, in the stillness
of summer, the vital current with ceaseless motion courses to and
from its heart to every twiglet upon its outermost branches. This
branch will scarcely be left bare long enough for me to sufficiently
admire the wonderful intricacies of its crossings and interlaciugs of
its numerous twigs and the many neutral tints of its outer garment,
before the delicate green will peep forth followed by a wealth of
exquisite pinky blossoms. The red buds, the patches of blue heaven
in the background and the yellow in the center of the blossoms, also
brought out by the sunlight through the green leaves, complete the
perfection of coloring which bring those subtle modulations of delight.
Imagine all the blossoms strung into a long garland and then woven '
like a thread into letters and devices upon a bed of white carnations.
After the first glance of eager curiosit}' as to the number of flowers,
the whole thing assumes a most grotesque appearance* All devices
and what are termed "artistic" designs should be carefully avoided,
for when the decorator tries to out-do Nature, the onl}- perfect pat-
tern, the result is an unmistakable failure. Aim at the simplicity of
nature. We can remember when every painted flower piece had its
flowers placed exactl}' in the middle of the canvas. A better knowl-
edge of the harmony of coloring has produced a great variety- of
styles and each artist can now revel untrammelled in his or her con-
ception of the beautiful. As our lives are successful or otherwise
only by association or comparison, so flowers are made to appear
more or less beautiful by arrangement or contrast.

For distant effects A'ellow is by far more eff'ective than any other
color. Note from the carriage or car window the brilliant golden rod
vying in grace with the over-towering elms, and what can be more
grandly exquisite, upon an October afternoon, than the glory reflected
by the setting sun upon a row of maple trees, with their halo upon
halo of canary and 3'ellow leaves ?

54 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

I have a fondness for specimen glasses (if the glass vases are
crimson or green ; the delicate shades — just a tint of color — are pretti-
est) for tall, choice, fragrant flowers, each holding one blossom or one
spray of blossoms, of course with its own green leaves ; and glass
trays for low-growing flowers, in which case sand or moss should be
used besides the water.

In cutting, a knife will not bruise the stems as do the scissors.
Ferns, the most beautiful for decorations made chiefly of green,
should be dipped into tepid water before placing them in position.
A cool, dark cellar is the best place to keep them until read^' for use.
As a rule, ver3^ fragrant flowers, as lilies, lilacs, &c., should be
used in very small quantities in the dining-room or library, and avoided
altogether in the sleeping- room. Small, neat plants are most eftective ;
if large sized they tend to give a heavy appearance. In finger glasses
several rose-geranium leaves should float and each ma}' be pierced
by the stem of its blossom, allowing a bloom to rest upon each leaf.
For the mantel-piece larger and bolder varieties of flowers may be
used than for the tables, but they should be so placed as to avoid
all appearance of crowding. Trailing plants look well drooping
from such positions, as clematis, ivy, hops, passion flowers, colloseum
■ ivy, oats and wild field grasses, asparagus, carrot tops and ferns are
all eff"ective when enough of the green cannot be found to accompany
the flower.

Ferns are especiall}' useful, as they can be cut when too large and
the ends used. A beautiful pair of bouquets representing fruit and
flowers can be arranged, one of the high-bush cranberries and white
snowberries, and the other of London pride and feverfews or white
lilies, each intermixed with lace-like flowers or grasses to tone
the "invincible scarlet" eflfectively ; the scarlet only showing through
the hazy veil of the fine thread-like flowers as through smoke or mist.
If in doubt how to arrange flowers to send to a friend, send them
lying loosely without any attempt at arrangement, but only send two
or three varieties, never more. If doubtful what flower to use when
partially arranged, take a white flower, as it can be safely used to
separate any shades. The lily is (not the lilies are) a symbol of
purity, therefore, one lily as a gift is more speaking than several.
The same may be said of many other flowers. Small, neatly- arranged
baskets of flowers are always attractive. Zinc pans should be made
to fit into them to hold the damp sand or moss. Roses all of one color
fill these admirably, their own foliage preferable (with half-opened

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 55

buds and their young flower shoots) even to the fronds of maiden-
hair fern. Many of the silver-edged plants are pretty in themselves,
but they cannot well be mixed with other flowers if pure white flowers

are used.

Flowers for the hair, corsage or for the hand should be flowers of
delicate structure and exquisite fragrance. Those in the hand and
corsa<?e being under the close inspection of the eye, extra care should
be taken that there be no violent contrasts. As one plant needs
sunshine, another shade ; one requiring moisture, another dryness ;
no general rule can be given for their cultivation. One person pets
the sweet brier, another the heliotrope ; one will prefer the scent of
the lemon verbena, and another that of the sweet pea. That is well.
We would not like a stereotyped sameness in the arrangement of
flowers any more than we would in faces.

Finally, to those seriously disposed to possess this elevating and
inspiring art, I would say, go to the fields and woodlands, by the
meandering brook and by the hill-side, collect these plants, one at a
time, from their native haunts, and study their habits and their needs
by cultivating them in your own garden. Draw them in black and
white, faithfully delineating each curvature and graceful outline, not
only the blossom but the whole plant. Next copy each hue and
shade, each tone and semitone, either in water colors or in oils.
Let no tint, however subtile, escape your eye, remembering "to take
care of the shadows, the lights will take care of themselves." And
lastly, I ask you to describe in your own words, not only the plant
botanically, but to discriminate between the velvety and the satiny
texture, the honeyed, trailing sweetness and the delicious, spicy odor,
the dawning of the bud and the decaying of the flower and all the
sweet loveliness and the fine fascinations until, in the glow of the
effort, every pore is open to the pleasurable sensations produced.
Then, and not till then, the flowers become like old-time loving
friends, and come into graceful harmonious arrangements, without a
thought of how it was accomplished.

In the absence of the writer — who is a widely-known and success-
ful grower of the coleus and the originator of some of the finest va-
rieties of this grand bedding plant we have ever seen— the follow-
ing essay was read by her brother, President Pope,

56 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

SOME HINTS ON MAKING COLEUS BEDS.
By Miss L. M. Pope.

The Pilgrims came to this country so thoroughly imbued with
ascetic principles that the love of things beautiful, even in nature,
seemed to them a snare to the soul, whose primary occupation was
fighting the pride and vanities of life. Then their constant struggles
with the deprivations and hardships of pioneer life left them little
time for the indulgence of aesthetic tastes, if their consciences would
have permitted such indulgence.

There must have been a grim fitness in the diminutive log cabin,
with its scanty furnishings, surrounded onl}' b\' the growth of wild
plants indigenous to the soil. It certainl}- might prove interesting
and instructive to note the first beginnings and growth of a taste for
out-of-door decoration, had we the means of tracing it.

We can imagine, as constant labor for bare existence became less
of a necessity, our grandmothers found time to look around and enjoy
the beauty bj- which the}' were surrounded, and, admiring some of
the wild flowers, may have transplanted them by the window to cheer
their hours of labor. Then, as the log house gave place to the simple
and still perfectly plain frame house with its increasing comforts,
possibly the grandfathers ma}- have begun to miss the shade trees
that the}' had sacrificed in their haste to make space to raise food for
their first pressing necessities. They found themselves obliged to
plant small trees to replace those grand old forest trees and wait a
good part of a lifetime for them to attain any considerable growth.
Their wives and daughters, lending their aid and taste, may have
planted the hollyhock, sweet william, jonquil, and possibly a few rose
bushes, in beds each side of the door. These floral pets must still
occup3' a place close to the house, as there was as yet no fence to
protect them, nor would they have looked well or flourished in the
weedy, untrimmed turf around the house. Then followed the big,
square, angular house, with its equally angular front yard, and the
fitting accompaniment of regular geometrical flower beds, ungraceful
in themselves, but preserving the harmony of the whole and the true
exponents of the characters and tastes of their originators. And as
neglect and slovenliness seem incompatible with straight lines and
square corners we may presume they were well kept and weeded.

STATE POMOl.OGICAL SOCIETY. 57

As wealth and culture increased they found visible expression in
the artistic structures which the architect has fitted and accommodated
to the growing social and domestic needs. The wide-sweeping and
well-shaded lawns or close-cut grass plats constitute the most appro-
priate surroundings to such homes, and conspicuous objects of
attraction on these grounds are the fanciful beds cut in the turf and
the well-trimmed borders by the gravel paths and carriage drives.
As the tall, irregular-growing perennials are in no wise fitted for such
beds, if retained at all are consigned to the background, to be used
where screens are needed or massed in large beds to be seen from the
distance.

Lawn beds and borders require low-growing plants capable of being
cut back and kept withiu lines. As their beauty depends on their
being in contrast with the green of the lawns, we must have thickly-
flowering or self-colored plants, and prominent among the latter are
the coleus.

The coleus, being a tropical plant, requires hot-house protection
during the winter. Very few people succeed in keeping them through
the winter in the house because of varying temperature ; for if suf-
ficiently hot during the day, the temperature is too low during the
night, they finally lose their leaves and die before spring ; so that
persons who do not feel like going to the expense of renewing them
every spring from the florist are obliged to go without or may keep
along a few scrawny specimens of the stronger growing sorts.

My admiration for this charming bedding plant induces me
to offer some suggestions in regard to its culture and the
feasibility of adopting them pretty generally for bedding pur-
poses even by persons who do not feel like paying the full price
for even an ordinary coleus bed every year. They are a very rapid
growing plant and easily propagated, in fact it is the exception
to lose even one cutting when put to root in the least favorable
situation. So that if one could procure a dozen medium-sized plants
of the florist as early as the first of April or as soon as it will do to
start a hot-bed, you can cut the plants back, putting the cuttings to
root, and the old plants will force more cuttings, as it takes but one
week to root cuttings with ordinary bottom heat, these slips can be
potted off by that time into small thumb-pots and sunk into the sand
covering the hot-bed. In two or three weeks at most they will need
topping and these can in time be used for a later set of slips to be in
their turn rooted, and this will bring the second rooting no later than

68 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

the second week in May. As coleus should never be set before the
second week in June it leaves this last set of slips almost a month to
grow before bedding out and there must have been slips on the old
plants to have been rooted, so you can by this process get a large
increase of plants by the time you are ready to set them. This is
not as much like the milkmaid's counting as it might seem, for a
friend has tried this method for several years with perfect success.

As there is some trouble attending the making of hot-beds I prefer
a frame bed, heated by a small kerosene lamp, constructed after the
following method. The frame which we have used for several 3'ears,
and large enough for ordinar}' use, is sixteen b}' thirty inches, fifteen
inches high in front and eighteen at the back. About half way from
the top ai-e nailed cleats to receive common roofing slates to form the
bottom of the bed, on which are put two or three inches of wet sand.
Bore a few small holes below the slate to supplj' air to the lamp, which
ma3' be very small. Fasten a piece of sheet iron just above the lamp
chimney to distribute the heat. Cover the bed with a sash and set in
a shad^' place. The first cost of this may be more than a hot-bed,
but it has the advantage of being readj' at any time when once made.

Then I would suggest making larger beds composed only in part
of coleus, the center being made up of inexpensive plants of large
growth raised from seed — ricinus, or castor bean, makes a fine
large specimen plant for the center, surrounded by six or eight
cannas, these in turn by zonale geraniums, of which most people
have a good supply in the spring. Outside of these coleus, which
ma}^ have still another row of blue lobelia, which will show a line of
blue mist during the whole summer in fine contrast to the green of
the turf. Still other beds with the coleus plants set at some distance
apart may have a matting of some low-growing fancy foliage or
fine flowering plants of contrasting color forming an undertone. The
matting planted in the spaces may be seedlings like sweet alyssum,
white or blue lobelia, or anything that will form a close mass of
color.

I know of a bed where the coleus were put at some distance apart
at the setting, and then as they needed cutting back, as the}' must
be to keep them of uniform size, the slips were set in the spaces and
on the front edges, and before the summer was far advanced the
bed was well filled, looking nearly as well as if set close at first.
As the coleus can not be set in beds before June, these beds would
be empty, unsightly spots on the grounds after the grass had started

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 59

and everything else become attractive. Now these beds ma}' be
filled in the fall with spring-blooming bulbs that would be out of
flower before time to set the coleus, or with pansies set in the fall
or early spring. These beds would prove so attractive that there
would be less danger of putting out the coleus too early, as is fre-
quently done, to the detriment of the bed for the whole summer.

Not all of the coleus are of equal value as bedders when the beds
are to be exposed most of the day to the full ra^s of the sun. The
old velvet}^ maroon variety' called beschatfettii, the Spotted Gem,
Golden Bedder, Black Prince, Burning Bush and Butterfly are among
the best to grow in the full light, and least liable to fade, and will give
a sufficient range of color to make a good-sized bed with a variety of
plants. Then there are more delicate and brilliantly-marked varieties
that must be grown in partial shade to insure success. The large-
growing varieties will not do to set in beds with the slower-growing
plants, but are fine for rustic baskets and lawn vases. The most
satisfactory eSect I have ever been able to get from planting coleus
by itself was in a short border made up of a shaded line of four colors,
the outside black, the next mai'oon, the third bright mottled and the
fourth very light, this so situated that from the house we looked across
it lengthwise and the colors blended and produced a ranch finer effect
than the same varieties arranged in a circular bed similarly situated.

To the superficial lover of plants this method of propagation may
seem too much trouble, but those who trulj' enjoy plants and their
culture will find ample reward for the time and pains spent. Those
who ma^' not have a gardener to set and care for the beds and borders
essential to the beauty of their grounds can comfort themselves with
the knowledge that no plants, however beautiful and perfect, tended
by another, can ever possess the interest and charm that comes with
the personal acquaintance we must feel for every plant, when our own
hands have supplied their wants.

After the reading of the above essays, a short time, only, re-
mained for discussion. Mr. Atherton, Capt. Jordan, Miss Edgecomb,
and Rev. Mr. Kimball entertained the audience with some pleasing
remarks, and the meeting closed with singing by the Turner Grange
Choir.

60 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

SECOND DAY. FORENOON.

PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WITH SMALL FRUITS.

At the opening of the session on the second da\', the Secretary
read the following letter from Mr. I. C. Jackson of Vassalboro',
giving his experience in the culture of the small fruits.

Dear Sir : — In reply to your letter of inquiry in regard to my ex-
perience in the culture of small fruits, I will say that in 1874 I
commenced with the cultivation of strawberries, setting about one-
sixth of an acre with Wilson, Col. Cheney, Green Prolific, French,
Downer and Nicanor varieties. Soil, rock}' loam and badly run out ;
put a little old manure around plants, when set. The next season,
I sold $33.00 worth ; have forgotten the number of quarts taken off
and also the price received per quart. The same season, setting
enough more plants to enlarge the piece to three fourths of an acre,
and using no manure, except a crop of green oats plowed under the
preceding summer. During the season of 1876 sold 1504 quarts at
seventeen cents per quart. The cost of cultivation and winter pro-
tection was about $30.00.

Having sorrel, barn-grass, and honey-suckle to contend against,
this is the onh' crop of strawberries in the nine years of m}- experi-
ence that I consider worth mentioning. Taking in consideration the
cost of setting and cultivating on rock}' soil, the weeding being done
mostly by hand, as I grew them in matted rows ; also the liability of
late spring frosts when they were in blossom, and the cost of covering
them, I do not consider them a profitable crop with me, though I
think they would do much better on clay loam land.

In 1880 I planted one-sixth of an acre with Philadelphia Red
Raspberry ; also, about the same amount of land with Mammoth
Cluster and Davidson's Thornless Black Raspberry. The land
being in a fair condition, used but one shovelful of well-rotted barn-
3'ard manure to the hill with the Red Raspberry, setting them two
and one-half by four feet. With the Blacks I used no dressing
whatever, setting them three by six feet. The next season sold
ninety-six quarts Red and ninety-six Black, at fifteen cents per
quart.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 61

In the spring of 1882 I set an acre with Turner Red Raspberry
and Brandywine, using the same quantity of dressing to the hill as
before. Also, set three-fourths of an acre to Snyder and Taylor
Blackberries, setting the last mentioned three by six feet, using no
manure on land that was in fair condition. That season picked from
the Philadelphia 320 quarts, and from the Black Raspberries, 288
quarts. If the Blacks had not winter killed, should have got double
the quantity ; received fifteen cents per quart for all.

In 1883, picked 285 quarts Red and 167 quarts Blacks; obtained
from the one acre of Turner and Brandj'wine 224 quarts.

The Philadelphia was found to be too soft for market, and their
color was not liked, being a very dark red. The Black Raspberries
winter killed badly ; had some difficulty in selling the berries, and
therefore discarded both varieties.

In 1884, picked 1696 quarts from the Turner and Brandywine
Raspberries, 320 quarts from the Snyder and Taylor Blackberry,
and received twelve cents per quart for all.

The Turner is of good color, good flavor, an immense yielder,
and an excellent berry for fiimily use and the home market. The
Brandywine is a good yielder, of good color, not so good flavor as
the Turner, but very firm, and good for the home market or to ship.
The Turner is earl}-. The Brandywine is late, continuing in bear-
ing two weeks after the Turner is gone.

The Snyder Blackberry, from some unknown cause, part of them,
failed to make a good growth. I think, however, they were set
rather too deeply ; yet it has proved perfectl}' hard3% is early and a
good yielder. The Taylor is nearly as hard}' as the Snyder ; is also
a good yielder ; season, medium to late.

The past season, 1885, picked 1792 quarts Red Raspberries, and
1152 quarts Blackberries. Of the three-quarters acre of Black-
berries, but one-half acre was in bearing.

I paid two cents per quart for picking, each season, which is to be
deducted. I have never kept any account of the cost of cultivation,
either of raspberries or blackberries ; have cultivated them about four
times during each season, horse and cultivator doing about seven-
eighths of the work until the last season, in which they did all the
work, the ground being so well shaded the}' did not seem to need
anything more. I have not used any dressing on any of them since
the}' were set, with the exception of the past fall, when I gave them a
liberal top dressing. I intend to set one acre of Brandywine and

62 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Cuthberts in the spring ; have a few Cuthberts. They are an excel-
lent berry, large and of good flavor, and I think would be good for
shipment. Season late.

Yours truly,

I. C. Jackson.

Following the reading of Mr. Jackson's letter Mr. Arthur I. Brown
of Belfast, a very successful commercial grower of small fruits, gave
his experience in their culture and marketing, in the following inter-
esting paper.

A TALK ABOUT SMALL FRUITS.
By Arthur I. Browx.

When the Secretary of the Maine State Pomological Society in-
vited me to read a paper before this body on the subject of "Small
Fruits and their Culture," I gave a ready assent. It is the one
branch of fruit culture on which I am enthusiastic and in which I
take a keen delight. Particularly as to the blackberry, the rasp-
berry, and the strawberry, which a few years ago were so plentiful,
growing wild without care in the fields, the pastures, and in the for-
ests of Maine. To-day in many sections they are well nigh extinct.

When I was a boy, many were the dewy mornings that I followed
the mowers to glean the laden strawberry stems from between the
swaths ; many were the long still summer afternoons I spent in the
back lot, beside the brook, and filled my little pail — and little stomach
too — from the generous vines that flourished in the hollow that I knew
and loved so well. The glamour of those da^'S is on my spirit still,
and the taste of those rich berries is something more than a remem-
brance.

I did not understand it then, but now I know that when the tired,
sunburned boy reached home, his dear old mother's smile, her arms
about his neck, her words of tender praise, were sweeter far to him
than all the strawberries in the world. He thought in his little mind
that mother was in raptures over the hard-earned fruit and he was
proud. To-day he knows 'twas all for love of him, and he is prouder
still. As my legs grew longer, I took longer excursions into the
forests, over the hills, into all the remote places where wild berries
were to be found. Always with the same keen enjoyment of freedom
and beauty and stillness, with the same love for delicious fruit ; and
I am forced to acknowledge, the same vanity concerning my success.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 63

Even after I became a man, it was my chief delight to leave be-
hind all toil and care, and take a holiday in the forest. A basket
well filled with berries was to me all that bags of game are to the
hunter, or baskets of fish to the angler. In these midsummer ex-
cursions of mine it was a singular fact that when taken alone they
were restful and soothing. Companionship destroyed the charm and
made a dog of toil. Alone, did I sa}-? No, not alone — Did not the
flowers look up at me through dewy eyes of pearl? Did not the
birds sing for me, the leaves whisper as I passed ? Did not all na-
ture speak to me in mysterious, sympathetic tones? Did not the
trees bend low to read ray thoughts and tell them to each other? In
the midst of the woods there was a little meadow — russet with yield-
ing moss and yellow with golden rod — like an enchanted lake within
a continent of verdure.

The beach was white with wild clematis, and pale wild flowers
gleamed like pearls upon its bosom.

I see it again to-day, in fancy,
Peaceful, still and sweet.

I see beyond it the old road made by the lumbermen. Long since
the trees locked arms above it ; and it seems a portal to the realm
of silence and darkness. I enter. No sunlight penetrates this ave-
nue except by stealth. The giant trees are hoary with the moss of
age. The partridge whirrs away amidst the labyrinths. The noisy
squirrel becomes silent, and, ensconced behind some sheltering
bough, peeps out at me from his concealment ; the blue jay cries in
terror as he flies, and the solemn owl interrogates, who? who? Be-
hind me the portal shrinks and fades. A good mile further on the
straight road divides into crooked wood paths that soon lose them-
selves. I follow one a little and turn around a promontory of ledge
into the head of a ravine where is a tiny spring. A carpet of soft,
delicate green moss has here crept over every rock and every fallen
trunk and every bit of earth. I lean against a tree and look in vain
for any sign of man's invasion. I hear a gentle breathing among the
leaves and feel a movement of the trunk as 'twere a pulse. Nearer
to the peaceful heart of nature man can never come. This is the
actual, the living forest. Down this ravine at every step the e^-e sees
beaut}'. Every glen and grotto is decorated and hung with vines
and ferns that are so delicate they wave without a zephyr and trem-
ble even in this holy calm. As I advance it widens, the walls sink
lower and are gone. Presently the sun glimmers through the tree

64 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

tops, the long, dark vistas end in light and the forest is behind me.
A path leads round a little hill to a forsaken camp. Tall thistles
grow about the door. Decay has fastened on floor and walls and
roof. Outside the glistening stumps stand, thick, like headstones,
each showing where a giant fell. Wild raspberries are everywhere.
The bushes have forced their way through every heap of brush, they
bend in pil3' over every fallen, mouldering trunk, they fill the hollows,
they fringe the outlines of the ridges. A new forest is springing up
also. Vigorous saplings are pushing themselves into prominence
with all the assurance of green youth. *****

* * Man and nature are ever at war. Here she is destroy-
ing the camp which he has built, and is rebuilding the forest which
he has destro^'ed. He is active, she is patient : he is pitiless, she
is merciful. But the ideal must yield to the practical till in the late
afternoon I recline upon a bit of grass in the midst of this forest
amphitheatre, ra^' well-filled pails at hand, and watch the trees reach
out their arms between me and the declining sun. The wild bee,
drunk with nectar, sways past on his homeward way, the woodpecker
taps upon the resounding trunk of yon dead tree. In the deeper
woods the night bird calls his mate. I enter the dark aisles, the ra-
vine, the labyrinth, the avenue ; I cross the jewelled meadow, and
finally emerge from the forest to see the last rays of the setting sun,
shining on the roof and gables of the little cottage home upon the
hill.

From this poor description of one from hundreds of expedi-
tions, it ma^' be seen that I naturally should turn my attention to the
cultivation of small fruits. I have never cultivated large areas, but
for some twenty j^ears I have been experimenting on varieties,
methods, and in detail. In considering the subject in its practical
aspect I do not presume to instruct the nurseryman or the market
gardener who are already large producers, but address myself par-
ticularly to the novice and to the amateur.

And first let me remark that fancy plots and showy arrangement,
although very desirable from an artistic standpoint, are totall}' un-
appreciated bj' the plants themselves. They have nothing of the
dude or of the exquisite in their nature. They require and will repaj'
good cultivation, but whether for use in the family or for the market,
they should be produced upon business principles. In general it is
unwise for any person who depends upon the soil for his support to
place sole reliance upon any one crop. Unforeseen contingencies

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETT. 65

rna^'^ render such a course disastrous. In small fruit culture drought
is most to be feared, and were I to engage in that exclusively I should
first provide an abundant supply of water. Small fruits, especially
the strawberry, are hard drinkers, and should be well irrigated if at
all. A whole crop is sometimes cut off for want of water. At such
times to him who can irrigate, a drought is profitable.

Now let us consider the blackberry. It delights in a moist, but
not wet soil. Clay is too heavy and gravel too light. If possible, I
would choose a place where the snow v/ould lie evenly in winter and
would not drift over the bushes. I should prefer a southeastern ex-
posure, and that there should be a natural protection from north
winds. The ground should be mellow, rich and free from sods.
Nature may be the best guide in the selection of soil and location.
I had a piece of land which had lieen cultivated as a garden for five
years and in spite of plowing, harrowing, cultivating and digging, the
wild blackberr}' bushes were determined to grow. I took a liint from
this, planted it with blackberries and got wondeiful returns. The
choice of the best variety is of the first importance and must be
settled by either individual or neighboring experiment. The loss of
money, the vexation and disappointment that I liave undergone has-
well-nigh discouraged me. I have been the pre3' of the peripatetic
nursery agent.

He has beguiled my shekels ; he has deceived me for lo, these'
many years. At last in utter desperation, I set apart a piece of land
which I styled my experimental grounds and planted out several sup-
posed-to-be standard varieties. Some produced small berries, some
produced none, some were too intensely sour, some were coarse with'
large seeds, some had a core, others were fairly good, one, the
Agawam, was excellent in every respect. I pin my faith entirely on
that. Still I would not recommend it unreservedly to anybody out-
side m}' own vicinity. 1 have learned — what probably numbers of
people knew before — that a variety which is unsurpassed in one
locality may be quite ordinary in another. Different soil ma}- have
quite the same effect. I am informed that the Snyder is a grand
good berry in Kennebec County. I should advise any one who con-
templated planting a considerable area to experiment first with the
Agawam, the Snyder and the Hangor, and choose the best from
these. After finding out what is best suited to your soil, your local-
ity, and your palate, it is well to plant out only that sort. There is-
a namber of methods of propagating the plants. It may be done by
5

66 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

cutting the roots into pieces some three or more inches in length and
planting tliem in trenches. It may be done by cuttings, or by taking
up the shoots that spring np near the parent stock. But these are
matters for the nurseryman to consider. If you have settled as to
the variety in your experimental grounds you can increase your area
by planting pieces of roots or by taking up shoots. By the first plan
you will get an abundance of plants but a crop of berries will come
one year later than when the latter plan is pursued. The plants
should be sot out in the field where you propose to cultivate for
berries as soon in the spring as the IVost is out of the ground. The
^stalks sliould be cut off about six inches from the ground and the
jpore roots it has the better, although they will giow with few.
Tlie^' should be set a little deeper in the earth than they stood l>efore
Uiey were taken up and with the same side towards the south.

The earth should be put carefully about the roots and they should
be extended in a natural position. Some set the plants in rows and
some in hills. I have tried both ways. I shall hereafter plant in
hills.

Jt is my opinion that after a piece of land is properl}' prepared and
set to blackberries, it should be fertilized anew once in three years.

Pruning is very important Success often depends upon timely and
proper pruning. It is asserted that blackberry canes will not bear a
temperature loyver than 1G° below zero. Perhaps many sorts will not,
but many can be,piade hardy enough to stand the severest cold, of this

;latitude, at }Qf^^t, 'by pruning. Having attended to this properly, they
need no furtjier preparation for winter. The old canes may be cut out

. ^iid burned^any time after the fruit is ofl". Some say the sooner the bet-
ter and quote the theory that a dying or dead branch is sustained with
i>o less tax on the root than a live one. I have yet to learn that the
time makes any ditierence as far as the vitality of the bush is con-

.cerned. I should certainly remove them before the leaves show

I themselves in spring. A curved knife with a handle three feet in

.length is very convenient for this purpose.

Where considerable quantities are raised for market, picking in

• a careful and economical manner is ver^- important. There are
various plans, but the main thing is to have a SA'stem of some sort
and improvements will suggest themselves. Women are the best
pickei's. If children are employed they should be divided into squads
of three or four, each squad under the charge of a reliable person.
Each picker should receive a ticket as each basket is picked, if the

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 67

work is well done. If the berries have to be sorted, half tickets.
Careless injur}- to the canes should be punished by discharge. The
tickets should be cashed at night. Nothing has so good an effect
upon employees as prompt, cheerful payment.

When your blackberries come into market, there are usuall}'
more or less wild ones; also pears, plums, peaches, &c., &c.,
in competition with your fruit, and when we consider that
blackberries are comparative!}' perishable, it is seen that a near
market is almost indispensable. I would not advise any one to
attempt to raise them lor sale who lived many miles from a city,
unless they could avail themselves of rapid transit by rail. And
even then there must be a special arrangement with some market
man.

RASPBERRIES.

The cultivated raspberry, under proper conditions, is eas}" to be
raised and is prolific. With me it is the most profitable of berries.
I have one row six rods in length from which I have sold ^70 worth
in four years. They have the advantage over the blackberry in this
way : the}' come into maiket just as the strawberry is going out and
before other fruits are plentiful. They are preferable to the native
berry in several respects. They are firm and good keepers. They
may be picked before they are quite ripe and will ripen up in the
baskets. They will not crush together, neither will they drip juice
from the basket. They are free from maggots and spice bugs. It
is asserted by some wise men that an insect has precisely the same
flavor as what he feeds on, but one taste of a spice bug will refute
that theory most effectually and emphatically.

Kaspberries flourish best for me on a clay loam soil where there is
good natural drainage. A stiff soil prevents the new canes from
getting a good start in the spring. A location somewhat in the shade
for a part of the day is advantageous. It is ray opinion that those
bushes which are fully exposed to the burning sun are more likely
to rust. This is a disease of which I know but little. I have
never had it injure my bushes except in one instance, to any extent.
This was the last season, and as they were entirely without shade, I
attributed it to that fact. I have had small patches in the garden
affected, but of this I shall speak under another head. I consider a
well-cultivated orchard to be a favorable place, as to shade — planted
between the rows of apple trees. I think in open field cultui'e that

68 STATK rOMOLOGICAL SOCIETT.

by growing in thick rows or in quite thick bunches, the}' will shade
themselves sufficient!}-. I get the most berries and the finest from
single rows beside fences. The other advantages of thus planting
are, protection from winds, snow lying on well, and economy of
space. The disadvantages are, the presence of weeds and wild rasp-
berry bushes, which are worse than weeds, and tiie danger of snow-
drifts breaking down the canes as the snow melts away in spring.
When I am about to put a row beside a fence I spread on a good
coat of manure and turn furrows towards the fence, the first as near
as possible. I plow five furrows in all ; the outside furrow is cut up
and spaded over between the first furrow and the fence. I then
spread on more manure and harrow it thoroughly, and clear out the
last farrow with a spade. This work is done in the fall. Earl}' in
the spring I plant ray canes. As I i-aise them myself and have a
plenty I put them in one straight row only one foot apart. If I
bought the plants I presume I should put them three feet apart. By
planting closely I get a strong hedge one year sooner, and conse-
quently berries in proportion.

In the choice of variet}- there is but little need of experimenting.
There are many kinds of red, besides the orange, the white and the
black. The black caps are not a satisfactory^ market berry, nor are
the}' the best for the family table. The same may be said of the
orange and of the white. There is considerable difference in their
flavor and some people prefer the one or the other. The orange has
a strong rich aroma and a peculiar taste much relished by a few.
The white has nothing pai'ticular to recommend it to my fancy except
that it is ornamental when a few are mixed with the reds in baskets
for sale or upon the table. I raise the reds exclusively, both for profit
and for use. The weight of testimony in this State is in favor of the
Turner for an early sort and the Cuthbert for a late sort. These are
hardy, prolific and of good quality. It is hardly worth while to pay
big prices for the fancy sorts which need so much puffing to make
them sell.

I run the cultivator along about the twentieth of May, to stir up
the weeds and again about five days after. I then sow dandelion
seeds and hoe during the summer. Sometimes I plant beans instead
of dandelions. Either gives me a paying crop the first year and the
dandelions will pay better the second year than the first. Straw-
berries will do first-rate also. Plant a late sort and the snow lying
on will keep them back somewhat and you will be in the market after

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETT. 69

others have withdrawn. In open field culture I plant in rows five
feet apart. I put the plants one foot apart and let them multiply
until I get quite a hedge. I prepare the ground as I would for black-
berries. I usually plant beans, &c., on the same ground the first
year. The crop often pays for the use of the land and care.

Raspberry canes need a support in the fruiting season. Without
it the weight of berries and the foliage with the dew or rain causes
them to fall to the ground where the fruit gets soiled and the later
blossoms are blighted. They also need support in winter. Rasp-
berrN" canes are weak and bre.ak down easily under weight of snow.
Where but few are cultivated for home use it is easier to plant in
hills and tie up each hill to a stake with wool twine or any other soft
string, cIosel3' for wintering and loosely for the fruiting season.
When planted on a larger scale and in the hedge-row system, I have
tried a number of plans. I first used a line of wire on each side of
the row. This is by far the cheapest support. I found that where
the canes rested heavily upon the wire the}' were subject to rust. I
have discarded that method on that account. I think the safest and
best way is to nail small round poles to a line of stakes on each side
of the row and tack laths across at intervals. I have this A'ear a
very strong growth of canes and have gathered them at the top into
compact bunches and tied them with twine on a piece set one year
ago last May, and not 3^et thickened up to a hedge. Most varieties
of this berry, like the blackberry, throw up new canes from the root.
The black cap is an exception and must be layered.

I presume it is understood b}' all that canes never bear but once,
and of course upon the vigor and numbers of new canes produced in
any one year, depends the next year's crop. The old canes should be
removed. When to do this is a disputed point. The correct theory
is to do it as soon as the fruit is off. Unless the new canes are very
stocky and well supported, the old ones are a stay and support to
them and for that reason I usually take them out after the snow is
olf in the spring. Like the blackberry, successful wintering and a
good crop next year both depend very much upon the time and man-
ner of pruning. No definite rule can be given to meet all circum-
stances. It depends upon the season, whether wet or dry ; upon the
situation, exposed or sheltered; upon the rapidity of their growth.
I will say, however, that I should not allow them to grow over two
feet high the year they were set. In succeeding years not over three
and a half feet. Sometimes it is necessary to prune twice if the

70 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

growth has been very rapid and exuberant. Pruning is a simple
matter, inerel}' pinching the crowns of the new canes. I use hedge
shears for the purpose, but pinching with the tliumb and finger just
enough to stop tlie upward growth is better for the canes, but cannot
be done so rapidl3^ If after this they throw out side branches, these
should not be allowed to grow more than a foot in length or even less.

Some varieties, notably the orange, are not hard}' and to ensure
wintering they should be bent down and covered lightl}- with earth or
litter. If this be done one person should hold them down while an-
other plies the spade until the earth will hold them.

Picking, &c., should be managed the same as with blackberries,
and with a near market, the right kinds, honest measure, and an in-
viting appearance of your wares, you have nothing to fear from an
abundance of native berries. I have sold large quantities for ten
cents a basket when natives were a drug at six cents. In fact, I
have never yet been obliged to sell for less than ten cents, although
strong competition in cultivated berries would run down the price.

Evaporated raspberries are becoming a standard article of com-
merce. The suppl}' is entirely inadequate for the demand. In New
York State tons of them are prepared and sold ever\- year (one man
has ninety acres), yet they seldom if ever find their way into Maine,
even as a novelty.

It is probable that the demand will grow faster than the supply
increases for many years. Our State is well adapted to this busi-
ness. In the first place the raspberry is natural to the latitude and
especially so to the soil. It is a business in which our young people
can engage. But a comparatively' small area is needed. Ten acres
or even five is sufficient land on which to carr}' on quite a large busi-
ness. The plants to set one-eighth of an acre can be bought for a
small sum of money, and Irom them in two years sufficient stock can
be obtained to set five acres at least. This two years of waiting
need not be lost, because that time is necessary to properly prepare
the field for the plants. If judicious management be practiced, the
crops for the two years will pa}- for all the labor of preparation, and
for nearly all if not the whole of the manure. A good evaporator
will cost but little more than a first-class mowing machine. There is
no doubt but that a good article put on sale in an attractive package
will make a market for itself. Not many years ago celery had a very
limited sale, but as people have gradually become accustomed to its
use, the consumption has rapidly increased, and it is now looked

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETT. 71

upon almost as a necessity. If this be true of celen% what a vastly
greater demand is certain to spring up for evaporated raspberries.
Gregg's Black Cap is found to be the best for this purpose. It con-
tains less water, and its color is favorable in many aspects. I have
had no actual experience in this branch of fruit culture. I have been
giving simply ra\' opinion. I wish the business might be investi-
gated, written up, talked up, and inaugurated in Maine, if there is
any mone}- in it.

STRAWBERRIES.

A friend of mine, a physician, has three hens. They are of a good
breed, young, well fed, and well cared for. The gross returns which
my friend receives from those hens are enormtnis when compared
with the outlay. He knows just about as much about the poultry
business as a science, as I know about the cerebro spinal meningitis,
yet it is his real desire to give up his practice and enjoy an income
of S3, 000 a year from 1,000 hens. If one doubts his ability to make
that amount he will triumphantl}' call 3-our attention to his three hens
and what the}' are doing. The strawberrv business is somewhat like
the poultry business in this particular; it is verv easy to do a
small business, but the men or women are few wlio can make a pecu-
niary success of a large business in either line. I know a lady whose
health required out-door work, who sold $49.77 worth of straw-
berries in one year, from six square rods of land. Hers is not an
exceptional case by any means. A showing even better maj' be
made, under the best possible conditions and with the best possible
care.

And this is the whole sum, science and philosophv of the matter of
strawberrv raising. My first attempts were the most successful,
parti}- because I happened to start under favorable conditions as to
soil, variety, &c. ; mainly, because I gave them good cultivation.
Since then I have scored several magnificent failures, and to-daj^ I
know less of strawberry culture, in my own estimation, than at any
other period of my life. I can endorse Josh Billings, who said, "It is
better for a man not to know quite so much, than it is to know so much
that isn't so." There are so many points to be considered, so many
problems to be solved, and so many successes on record, achieved
under widely different culture, soil, climatic influences, &c., that
nothing less than a strawberry growers' convention can grapple and
elucidate all these matters. I can at best but briefly glance at a
few points, and at the most what I have to sa}- should be considered

72 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

simply as the opinion of one not competent to be deemed an authority.

One must not expect to succeed in this business without the aid of
experience. Theory is good as far as it goas, but one's competitors
are ahnost sure to have both. One must study and learn by the light of
small ventures, afterwards a gradual extention may be profitable-
It is well to take the first lesson from nature herself. Where wild
berries grow abundantly it is safe to expect tlie cultivated to thrive.
We will suppose we liave such a piece of land in grass. I should
mow before any seeds were formed. When plowed, I should want
about six inches of the field turned exactly bottom side up. I should
spread on a liberal dressing of manure, at least twenty cords to the
acre. This should be well worked into the soil iu the fall. In the
spring, plant early sweet corn for the famil\', and between the hills
set the strawberry plants, a sufficient number. Give thoroughly clean
cultivation during the summer. Cut up the corn-stalks as soon and
as fast as a'ou use the corn. Do not try to keep the same plot in
berries more than liiree years.

After getting started, plant a plot each year and plow up those
that are getting weedy. This, of course, applies to those who have
plenty of land. If one has but a garden there is nothing equal to
the hoe, the hand weeder and elbow grease, for the weeds must be
exterminated and you must fight it out on tliat line if it takes all
summer«and every summer.

That the cultivation of small fruits for market is a profitable busi-
ness in the hands of an experienced culturist, there is no doubt. In
our good State of Maine we have the natural home of them all.
Nowheie are the bushes and the vines more fruitful. Nowhere
does the summer paint the ripened fruit with so true a hand. No-
where does her laboratory combine more exquisite flavors. I believe
that our people may become pre-eminent in this department of
pomology. But I will not lay undue stress on this. Rather would
I urge upon all the ease and cheapness with which an abundance
maA- be provided for the home table. I know by experience that
blackberries and raspberries can be produced and picked for two
and one-half cents per basket, and that as many bushels of straw-
berries as of potatoes can be raised on one square rod of land.

They are all luxuries, unquestionably and emphatically. We, in
tlie country, have within our easy grasp what is hardly to be had
in the city at any pi'ice, if we take into account freshness and per-
fection. The farmer owes it to himself and family that they have

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 73

the best and a plenty of what his soil will yield. As a class we are
quite apt to feed the pocket at the expense of the stomach, the
intellect, and the soul. Our farms offer too little that appeals to
the taste and to the fancy. It is not the hard labor of the farms
that drives our boys from home. They are ready to work harder in
the city. Until our surroundings, plenty, variety, comforts, and all
that tends to approximate the ideal and practical sum of rural hap-
piness outweighs the novelties, allurements, fascinations, tinsel and
glare of city life, this exodus will continue.

In urging the claims and desiderata of small fruit culture upon
your attention, I feel that I am urging the taking of a step in the
right direction.

An unprejudiced observer sees too many homesteads rich in ample
domain and half-filled fields, too many circumscribed desires for
beauty, too many tables bare of fruits and flowers, and has a sigh
of pity for the poverty that pays such goodly taxes. Our home-
steads all should be worthy- of our valleys, of our mountains, of our
people. We should center these things sweet to eye and ear, to
soul and sense. Things that shall draw and hold the affections of
both young and old, by tender ties which the}' shall never wish to
break. The Maine State Pomological Society is doing wisel}' and
well its appropriate work in hastening the advent of that perfect
day. From the progress of the past it may find abundant hope for
the present, and an earnest for the future.

Next on the programme was,

"WHAT MAX HATH DONE, MAN MAY DO."
By D. H. Knowlton.
For over fifty years my father spent his life on the old farm first
settled l\y ray grandfather. Here he erected buildings for a home.
They were model farm buildings, and into the old substantial farm-
house the sun darted his rays of light and shone unobstructed by
shade trees or shrub. When I was a small boy the old farm was sold
and a new home on the main street of our pleasant village was pur-
chased. In front of the house there were three large elms spreading
out their graceful branches, but my father wanted as many trees as
any one along the street and accordingly set out a tree in every avail-
able spot, so that in a few years there was a dense mass of foliage on
every hand, and vvhat little sunshine gained admission to the house

74 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

had a striio:gIe for a passage through the shade trees. Just whj' it
was my father after spending his earlier life in sunshine, so much
desired the shade, I never knew.

Had it been in these later da3-s I should think possibly he had been
reading Dr. Loring's addresses on forestrj-, or studying the reports
of the Agricultural Bureau upon the same subject. Here for twenty
years or more I lived in perfect content. It was home to me and a
good one, too, but as the 3'ears rolled on I became a husband and
father. Feeble health of wife and child led to the formation of new
plans ; vacant lots were examined and the one upon which the sun
shines from his rising in the morning till his setting behind the hills
was selected as the site for our future home. Well, the next spring
we were settled in a new house on a lot anything but promising for
a fruit garden, and here, in the spring of 1879, properly begins the
narrative of fruit culture I am about to offer for your consideration.
I have given you this much in detail as a preface to my remarks,
because in thinking over what I have accomplished in these few j'ears
ray mind invariably goes back to the beginning and the causes which
led to it. You will pardon me in the frequent use of the ego in this
paper. It is so closely connected with all the work done I cannot
help it, and because of this fact, it is mj' hope that to some, at least,
this paper ma}' prove the more helpful, for "What man hath done,
man may do."

THE BEGINNING.

The acre of land of which I am to speak is on a hill-side overlook-
ing the village and a beautiful river valley. To the north of it is a
fine grove of deciduous and evergreen trees, while the general surface
slopes gentlv with a southerly exposure. The soil for the most part
is a rocky loam, but along the southerly edge it is boggy and wet.
For half a century it had been a mowing field, half cleared of stones,
and not to my knowledge had it been dressed for years. The grass-
hopper year, as we call it, a man attempted to cultivate a portion of
it and gave it up in disgust. It produced little grass, in fact was
run out. The ground was very stony and to this day I have not
succeeded in clearing the soil so as to run a plow or even a hoe
without frequently hitting stones.

The situation was this, in short, the upper portion was stony and
dr}', the lower portion was mucky and wet. Upon this land, years
before, some one had set a few apple trees which had been browsed

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETr. 75

by cattle and received no care, and were as scrubby as any pasture
trees j'ou ever saw. So far as apples were concerned we decided to
buy no trees until we knew the varieties we wanted. The same was
true in regard to the setting of scions. We knew we wanted a King
Sweet, a Ked Astrachan, a Deane, a Fameuse, a Winthrop Greening,
and we also decided to set a Talinan Sweet, a Black Oxford, and
the rest in Baldwins, Rhode Island Greenings and Roxl)urv Russets.
Several of the trees we decided not to graft the lirstseason, hoping they
might prove to be desirable fruit. Our object in view in this matter
was to supplj' the family with fruit of good quality, for I must say
we hadn't at that time the remotest idea of raising more apples than
we could consume under our own roof. At the trees I went with my
saw and knife and some of them looked lonesome and homely enough.
A neighbor advised us to cut them down, but we concluded to prune
closel}' to save life and not to destroy by uprooting. A portion of
the land was plowed the first spring. Oh ! how the stones stuck out
along the uneven furrows, and when the horses got down to the lower
part the^' sank down deep into muck. Tlie stones, however, proved
to be just what I needed, for I began to collect them in iieaps and
then to wheel them to the wet land where the muck was dug out, the
stones thrown in, and outlets made to the roadside drain to carrj'
off the standing water. This method I have continued since till
all the wet and bogg^' soil became arable, and it is now the most
fertile portion of the garden. The first spring I set, also, a few
strawberry plants of an unknown variety, and started cuttings of
currants and grapes. I was fortunate enough to secure some very
good bushes of Houghton Seedling gooseberries, though at the same
time I was unfortunate, as all are likely to be in buying fruit trees,
for several of them when fruiting the second year proved to be na-
tives and had to be dug up. Other than the ordinary cultivation of
vegetables with which the garden was planted tliis represents the
first season's struggles. The results, however, were notable, for the
apple trees with the new culture the}' were receiving began to grow
vigoroush', and one or two even had the courage to blossom and
bear some specimens of fruit. One of these I must speak of here,
for 1 know of no autumn fruit that has more excellent qualities for
family use. I refer to the Munson Sweet, an apple that is good to
cook early, and ma}' be served in a variet}' of ways very acceptably
and when ripe is an excellent dessert apple. It deserves a place in
every family fruit garden.

76 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETT.

TUE SECOND YEARS WORK.

The second year more scious weie set, but only one new variety
and that the Cole's Quince, or rather a local variety of special merit,
originated bj- Capt. William Russell of our town some fifty years ago.
A few New York trees were bought of a neighbor who had set them
too thick on his lot several years before. They were bought for North-
ern Sp3, but all with one exception proved to be Ben Davis and the
exception was aPewaukee. The Ben Davis bore the next season and
have continued to bear each ^-ear since, rather more of that variety
than we could consume in the family. Last year, however, I sold the
surplus for $1.40 per bushel, and this year I find they are now
worth 25 or 50 cents more to the barrel than Baldwins or Roxbury
Russets. From this outlook I shall not re-graft the trees at present.
The currant suckers, having taken root, w^ere set in rows and made
a fine growth, but wore not large enough to bear. The gooseberries,
however, did bear some, enough for me to discover the natives.
Several pear trees of selected varieties were set and all grew well
during the season. Small beds of strawberries were set, Charles
Downing and Crescent Seedling, which made a fine growth. Black-
berries of an unknown variety were set with great hopes. These
made a splendid growth, but the winter killed them back nearl}' to
the roots and the second season the same process was repeated.
The}' never produced any good fruit and were dug up. Clarke
raspberry bushes from stock that had been growing in the vicinity
for several years were set and from these the next year we got some
fruit, just taste enough for us to want more. The third year they
bore quite a good lot and we decided we could raise them. Several
grape vines were set and grew well. There was also set an
unknown variety of black caps, which the second j'ear began to bear
some. The fruits of the second year were strawberries, a very few
gooseberries, and more apples than the first year.

OPERATIONS THE THIRD YEAR.

The third spring more scions were set, especially in the trees
grafted the two previous springs, so that in some cases the trees
were entirely grafted. More grape vines were set from cuttings of
the Delaware, which were rooted the year before. Strawberries
were also set for next year's fruit and the soil generally well culti-
vated. A few cherries, a pomegranate, Russian Mulberry and one

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 77

or two plums were also set out. Of the Russian Mulbeny, I may
be permitted to say a word, since so many of our nurserymen are
widely advertising it, and every tree agent ^'ou meet urges j-ou to
bu}' it. It has made a slow growth and at the present time is not
more than four feet in height, and I have given it a good chance to
establish a reputation. It grows slowly and after several years of
cultivation has borne no fruit. From my own experience and what I
read of it, it is of no earthly value in Maine. It was sold b}^ Purdy's
announcement and I cannot refrain from urging others in Maine to
let the Menuonites raise tlie mulberries. The fruit crop this year
began with strawberries, of which we had quite a surplus after eating
an abundance ourselves. There was a small bed of Downings, as
beautiful a sight as I ever saw in any fruit garden. As a curiosity
the product of this bed was carefuU}' measured and it was found to
produce fine berries at the rate of two hundred bushels to the acre.
The apple trees bore more than the year before. The currants and
gooseberries also produced fruit and we had all we needed of both.
For scA'eral weeks in small amounts we had most excellent rasp-
berries, though not as many as we wanted. There were also a few
black caps, which for the lack of better berries seemed very good.

THE FOURTH YEAR AND ITS FRUITS.

The fourth spring more work was done upon the apple trees, a few
being grafted and a few new trees being set. We were now ready to
try some more raspberries and blackberries ; of course we kept up our
strawberry beds, for we couldn't do without them after the family had
enjoyed them for two years. We ransacked the books, catalogues and
papers to learn the hardy varieties, and of black caps in the spring we
set both Gregg and Souhegan, as well as some Early Harvest blackber-
ries. Early in the autumn we cleai'ed a strip wide enough for four rows
of bushes on the easterly side of our lot, a little less than fourteen rods
long. The ground was well manured, thoroughly plowed and harrowed.
Here we set one hundred bushes each, of Turner and Cuthbert rasp-
berries and Snyder blackberry. These varieties were selected for
earliness and hardiness, two very essential qualities in producing the
fruit successfully. They were set as early in the fall as the stock
could be obtained from a New Jersey nursery. People as they drove
by wondered what I was doing there in the fall. I remember telling
one man I was getting ready to plant beans, which was not very far
from the truth, for I raised two crops of beans among the bushes the

78 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETT.

next two years. I dida't wish to know his opinion had he been told
I was setting raspberry and blackberry bushes in October. Even my
own family were skeptical, but now they all admire and enjoy that
beautiful hedge of fruitful shrubbery.

This year we had two or three barrels of apples, a surplus of straw-
berries, currants and gooseberries, some fine samples ot grapes, and
a few pears. There were also picked from my old raspberry bushes
some excellent berries, which with Jersey cream made just the sort of
relish we all enjoyed, in fact it was so popular there were no berries
to sell.

THE FIFTH YEAr's FRUITS.

The next season's work was similar in its nature. The scrubby
apple trees upon which we commenced five years previous were grow-
ing rapidly, and fine thrifty trees with well-shaped tops were the result.
Several grape vines were set, Brighton, Moore's Early aud Virgennes.
The shrubbery of all kinds was doing finely. The raspberries and black-
berries set the fall before wintered well and started early in the spring,
and during the season made a fine growth, though I did not allow any
of them to grow more than two feet and at that not more than three
or four canes to the plant. I had a few strong Downing strawberry
plants. These were carefully set early in the spring and bore before
the season ended some very fine fruit. My experience, however, has
taught me that for garden culture, at any rate, there is more profit in
setting the plants as early in August as they can be obtained, aud I
have lately followed this plan with success. A crop of peas or early
beans may be grown from the same land and the following season the
vines under favorable conditions will bear a good fair crop of berries.

This year we had apples the entire year, a surplus of strawberries,
currants and gooseberries, which found a ready market. There were
also enough raspberries for the family and a few Snyder blackberries
from bushes of which we have made no mention. There was also
quite a lot of grapes, some pears, and promise of still more fruit the
next year.

HOW THE FRUIT CAME IN THE SIXTH YEAR.

The sixth year very few additions were made, though here and
there a bush, tree or plant was set out. There was in fact no need of
it except to keep up the strawberry beds. This we did by setting
plants in the summer as soon as the new plants were of sufficient size.

STATK POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 79'

There were several barrels of apples and all the other fruit needed in
the family. The raspberry and blackberry bushes passed the second
winter finely and before the season was through formed four compact
rows of shrubs as fine as one could wish or expect under the most
favorable circumstances.

SMALL FRUITS FOR THIKTEEN WEEKS.

We come now to the seventh and last year of which I shall speak.
These details must be wearying to you, but other than some of the
discouragements of which I propose to say a word or two later, they
portray tiie work of fruit growing in a one-acre garden. This year
was the most fruitful we had had because vines, shrubs and trees wei'e
in the best condition for fruit. Tiie first ?trawberries were gathered
the 2oth day of June, and from that day to the 20th of September
there was not a single day when small fruits of some kind were not
abundant in onr garden ; and permit me to say here that twelve or
thirteen weeks' time is none too long for the enjoyment of these luscious
fruits. The apples, of which there were about a dozen barrels, will
cover the year finely. The great triumph of the season, however,
was the magnificent crop of raspberries and blackberries. Early in
the season the Turners began to bloom, then the Clarkes and Cuth-
berts, and shortly the Snyder blackberries were a mass of snowy
whiteness, surpassing in modest beauty the most gaudy flower beds.
As the season advanced they were marvels to behold, and an astonish-
ment to all who examined them. From tip to base of canes every
available bud was utilized by the berry clusters. Loaded down as
they were from the first they matured an abundant crop of fruit, which
in quality was of unsurpassed excellence. While the raspberries,
commencing with the Turners, ripened far more fruit than any of us
had ever anticipated. There was no longer questioning by the passers-
by as to \vhat these bushes were, or whether they were expected to
bear fruit ; they bore their own testimony so that all could see and
learn the lesson they taught me, which is that these fruits may be suc-
cessfully grown in Maine.

During each year the garden produced all the vegetables used by
our family, with the exception of potatoes, while the fruit trees seemed
to grow all the better for the culture.

80 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETT.

PLEASURE AKD PROFIT IN FRUIT CULTURE.

At first and even to this day liaving in mind only the pleasures of
cultivation and an abundance of fruit for the family, the work of
fruit culture has been carried on from year to year. So responsive
are all the fruits to good cultivation that during the past few years
there has been a liberal surplus for sale, which kept the sugar
barrel filled and increased the children's bank accounts. We have
been surprised all the way along to note how quickly one may
raise an abundance of fruits for home use, and when your genial
Secretary very kindly invited me to prepare a paper for this occasion,
I did not hesitate, for I knew that a simple recital of seven years'
work would be an easy matter and, best of all, might prove helpful to
hundreds of others who are ready and eager to raise fruits for the
home, if only the difficulties are not too great. Engaged as I am in
business, where every moment of time is valuable, where there is a
constant strain upon the nerves, all my thoughts are at work, I stole
away the time necessary to carry on my garden, doing with my own
hands the larger part of the labor, and to-day I stand before you here
in perfect health and strength, knowing that without my garden
recreation many of my business duties would have to be laid aside and
possibly myself a prematurely old 3'oung man. Then, again, working
in the open air, cultivating flowers and fruit, my family are in better
health than seven years ago, knowing, thank God, that our health
and strength have been improved by living in His sunshine and feasting
upon the good things He has so wisely placed within the reach of every
man who controls a few I'ods of land in this good old State of Maine.

FOUR ESSENTIALS IN MAINE FRUIT CULTURE.

Before closing I wish to summarize what in detail 1 have spread
out before you. The esftentials of fruit culture in Maine are not very
many and are within the control of most.

First. Any location where corn or potatoes will do well will pro-
duce fruits. Our own notion is, however, that the location should be ■
near the house and, if possible, where the wind will neither blow the
snow off nor pile it up in. drifts. If the soil happens to be wet it
must be well drained, when the results are likely to be just as good.

Second. It makes very much difference what kind of culture the soil
receives. There is really very little danger of making the soil too
rich by dressing liberally with barn-yard manure, so far as possible

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 81

working it thoroughly into the soil. If, however, there are fertilizing
elements that are particularly called for in fruit culture they may be
found in bone meal and wood ashes. When these are properly ap-
plied to most soil we doubt if very much more is needed to insure all
the nature of the plant, tree or shrub may call for. But cultivate
thoroughly if the best results are desired.

Third. It takes a long while for us to learu from our own experi-
ence that we can not accept as authority in fruit matters in Maine
writers and fruit growers whose experiences are wholly in other States.
It is therefore important, in fact, essential to fruit growing in any part
of jNIaine that we have the best varieties, not perhaps the most talked
of, but those that are hardy enough to endure our climate and early
enough to be out of the way of frosts in the fall. One of the most
profitable gnipes for New York State is the Concord. I had two fine
vines but I cut them both to the ground last fall, and in future will
have no vines that do not mature tlieir fruit earlier than the Concord.
A glowing account of the excellent qualities of the Early Harvest
blackberry induced me to try a few bushes. Twice in succession they
have been killed to the ground and next spring they will come up root
and branch and be "cremated" in the annual bonfire.

The last essential of which I will speak is pruning, for very much of
success depends upon the skill and certainty with which it is done. Prun-
ing will supply nothing to the soil or plant, but unless the plant growth
be controlled or directed we shall not accouaplish the objects sought. The
plant will be less hardy and the fruit of inferior quality, but direct the
energies of the plant by pruning to the production of fruit and if there
be food enough within its reach you may count on a delicacy of flavor
equal to fruit grown in any section of the country, while in quantity
the fruit will be limited only by the capacity of the plant. Let the
strawberry runners grow and you will have a dense mass of foliage
and imperfectly formed fruit of inferior quality. Let the blackberry and
raspberry bushes grow at random and ten to one the cold will kill
lliem back, and if there happens to be fruit it will be of irregular form
and inferior flavor.

POSSIBILITIES OK FRUIT CULTURE.

Having spoken thus of the necessities I will now call your attention

to the possibilities of fruit culture, showing what in the writer's

experience may be done by any one here in Maine in a few years —

in other words, formulate what any farmer or gardener may expect

6

82 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

from fruit growing in tlie way of product each year — and for this pur-
pose I will commence with the fruit that requires the least time.

The Strawberry . If one is fortunate enough to get strong, local-
grown plants in the spring they will produce some berries the same
season, though the rule is, the following season will be the most produc-
tive, and having once started a bed there is no need of ever being
without the delicious fruit. By using potted plants in late summer a
fair crop may be raised in ten months and a good crop from same vines
the next year.

Raspberries and Blacliberries will require two years growth before
they will produce very much fruit, after which crops may be expected
for five or six years and perhaps longer.

Currants and Gooseberries grow rapidly, and when good, strong
roots are used will bear some the third year — and for years after.
When cuttings are used it requires two or three years more.

Cherries and Plunks are not likely to bear much under four or five
years, and I imagine it is more likely to be more than less.

Pears I do not know very much about, though dwarf trees of some
varieties will bear in three or four years, but if the trees are standard
it will take a 3"ear or two longer, in some cases ten or a dozen years
and sometimes more.

Grajyes, when good, strong vines are set, will begin to bear the
second year, and after the third and fourth years will usually bear quite
heavily.

Apples. In my own case scions commenced bearing the third
year, so did some very small apple ti-ees, though they are the much
abused Ben Davis. We cannot expect much from grafts of our own
setting in less than five years, while from trees set the time of bear-
ing will vary much in the difterent varieties, but with good stock and
good culture apples ma}' be expected in from five to ten years.

The possibilities assure us then as we have shown that in from one
year to ten, any man may have a succession of large and small fruits
in abundance for home use, and, if he chooses, a surplus for market.
Under these circumstances it seems an inexcusable neglect that so few
of our farmers permit themselves and their families to be deprived of
all or even a part of these health-giving luxuries. In my opinion they
cost less than drugs and are vastly more beneficial.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 83

DIFFICULTIES OF FRLHT CULTURE.

Perhaps you may infer from what I have read you that there have
been no obstacles in the way of fruit growing on my acre lot, but I
can assure you there have been a great many. The sunny hill-sides
protected from the cold north winds suggests to the passer by that the*^
location is splendid. But because of its favorable position hordes of
insect pests seem to gather there Irom miles around. The curculios
have taken all my plums thus far, the borers have killed several of my
apple trees, the currant worms have made their presence known not
only in the springtime but all through the summer, the codlin moth
knows where every one of my apple trees is aud they seem to enjoy
leaving their hidden retreats when I am slumbering and when the fruit
falls from the tree, I find the evidence of their mischief within the
core ; the Trypeta pomoneJla tunnels its way through my best sweet
apples and early fruit, the white grub worm beneath the surface eats
away at the roots of the strawberry plants, and the first intimation
I have of his presence is the death of the plant. The robins have
eaten my cherries and something kills my pear trees. Don't tor a
moment allow yourselves to think success in fruit growing is assured to
any one without labor aud constant care, but the fruit more than pays
us for our labor in the pleasure and healtli it gives. 1 always thought
Farmington was an exceptionally good and virtuous town, and I am
happy to say that during my seven years of fruit growing to our
knowledge nothing has ever been stolen from the garden. In other
places many have suffered from thieves and lost their best fruit. The
boys know where my garden is, they know it contains fruit when there
is fruit anywhere ; there are no watch-dogs about the premises, neither
is the lot surrounded by a "spiked fence," the children, too, know, for
many of them visit us and pla}' around among the flowers and fruits,
but somehow, for some reason I know not, unless it be in the general
excellence of their moral training, they have honored our possessions
and permitted us to enjoy the fruits of our labor.

One of the most delightful books I ever read is Warner's "My
Summer in a Garden," and tliinking you may enjoy some variation
from my monotonous notion of fruit growing, I will read, in closing, a
few paragraphs of his experience.

'•There would be no thieves if there was notliing to steal ; and I suppose
in the thieves' catecliisni the provider is as bad as the thief; aud proliably
I am to blame for leaving out a few winter pears, wliich some pre(]:itory
boy carried off on Sunday. At first I was angry, and said I would like to

84 STATE FOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

hiive caught the urcliin in the act; but, on second thought, I was glad I
did not. The interview would not have been pleasant. I shouldn't have
known what to do with hiin. Tiie cliances are that hi; would have escaped
away with his pockets full, and gibed at me from a safe distance. And if
I had got my hands on him, I should have been still more embarrassed.
If I had flogged him, he would have got over it a good deal sooner than
I should. That sort of boy does not mind castigation any more than he
does tearing his trousers on the briars. * * *

"I found a man once in my raspberrj' bushes, early in the season, when
we Avere waiting for a dishful to ripen. Upon inquiring what he was
about, he said he was only eating some; and the operation seemed to be
so natural and simple that 1 disliked to disturb him. And I am not very
sure that one has a right to the whole of an abundant crop of fruit until
he has gathered it. * * *

"A child is curious all over, and his curiosity is excited about as earlj^
as his hunger. * * * Perhaps this fact has no practical relation to
gardening; but it occurs to me that, if I should paper the outside of my
high board fence with the leaves of the Arabian Nights, it would aflTord
me a good deal of protection, — more, in fact, than spikes in the top. which
tear trousers and encourage profanity, but do not save fruit. A spiked
fence is a challenge to any boy of spirit. But if the fence were papered
with fairy tales, would he not stop to read them until too late for him to
-climb into the garden? I don't know. Human nature is vicious. The
'boy might regard the picture of the garden of Hesperides only as an
advertisement of what was over the fence 1 begin to find that the
iproblem of raising fruit is nothing to that of getting it after it has
matured. So long as the law, just in many respects, is in force against
shooting birds and small boA's, the gardener may sow in tears and reap in
vain.

* * "You buy and set out a choice pear tree.* ♦ At length it rewards your
•care by })roducing two or three pears, which you cut up and divide in the
family, declaring the flavor of the bit you eat to be something extraordi-
nary. The next year the little tree blossoms full, and sets well, and in
the autumn has on its slender, drooping limbs half a bushel of fruit, daily
growing more delicious in the sun. You show it to your friends, reading
to them the French name, which you can never remember, on the label;
you take an honest pride in the successful fruit of long care. That night
your pears shall be required of you b}' a boy I Along oomes an irresponsi-
ble urchin, who lias not been growing much longer than the tree, with
not twenty-five cents' worth of clotiiing on him, and in five minutes takes
off every pear, and retires into safe obscurity.* * * The boy goes on his
way — to Congress or the State Prison, in either place he will be accused
of stealins. perhaps wrongfull3^ You learn, in time, that it is better to
have had pears and lost them than not to have pears at all. You come to
know that the least (rarest) part of the pleasure of raising fruit is the
vulgar eating it. You recall your delight in conversing with the nur-
seryman, in looking at his illustrated catalogues, where all the pears are

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 85

drawn perfect in form and of extra size, and at that exact moment be-
tween ripeness and decay wliicli it is so impossible to hit in practice.
Frnit cannot be raised on this earth to taste as you imagine tljose pears
woukl taste. How yon watch the tender twicjs in spring, and tlie freshly-
forming bark, hovering about tlie healthy young tree with your pruning
knife many a sunny morning. That is happiness I Then, if you know it,
you are drinking the verj^ wine of life; and when the sweet juices of the
earth mount tlie limbs, and flow down the tender stem, ripening and
reddening the pendent fruit, you feel that you somehow stand at the source
of things, and have no unimportant share in the processes of nature. Enter
at this moment boy the destroyer, whose office is that of preserver as well ;
for, though he removes the fruit from your sight, it remains in your mem-
ory immortally ripe and desirable."

AFTERNOON SESSION.

The meeting was called to order at 1.30 o'clock, President Pope
in the chair. Mr. W. P. Athertou was introduced, who read the
following essaj'.

THE CLIMATIC LINE OF FRUIT CULTURE IN MAINE.
By William P. Athertox.

What is climate? What is climatic influence, and is there any
climatic line to fruit culture in Maine? In the discussion of this sub-
ject I shall not go into the origin of species. If, however, I should
be asked, "what determines a variety, climate or soil?" I should say
neither ; they are determined by a higher law and these are but
accessaries to modify or develop the species itself. We know that
the earth is continually changing, that some forms of flora that once
existed exist no longer because the conditions necessary- to their life
and growth are wanting. Still, much of the magnificent flora which
graced this continent lies buried in our mines in a condensed com-
bustible form which gives warmth to our dwellings, speed to our
engines and whirls a million spindles.

But the question is, What is climate? I answer, it is the condition
or state of the atmosphere in which we live as regards heat and cold,
moisture and dryness and the amount and durabilit}- of the same.
In England we say they have a moist climate because of the sur-
rounding seas, the ocean currents and the frequent and long-continued
fogs. Here in Maine we have a colder, dryer and more changeable
climate, due, perhaps, not so much to the elevation and depression

86 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

of the land as to the vast bodies of ice constantly floating near to
our northeastern coast, and to the steady cold northwestern winds.
In Florida they have a more equable climate, except in rare instances
like the present winter when the thermometer runs down to almost
zero, freezing oranges on the trees and the ground to the depth of
eight or ten inches. What is climatic influence? I answer, it is that
state of the atmosphere which develops and modifies the life and
growth of a plant, gives character or want of character to its fruit
and determines its durability. This being the case, it is perfectly
natural and reasonable to sui)pose that a plant, animal, or that man
himself would thrive best in that climate or country in which they
originated. Climatic influence is that state of the atmosphere which
makes the Baldwin apple in the coast towns of Maine less in size
and somewhat wanting in color and flavor of the same apple raised
in the interior or cential portions of the State ; it is that influence
which makes the Baldwin in some portions of Piscataquis County a
hard, sour cooking apple, in some parts of Washington County a
medium-sized, insipid and greenish colored apple, in Kennebec,
Franklin, Androscoggin, Cumberland and a few other counties a
large-sized and beautifullv colored fruit and nice to eat when you
can obtain nothing better ; it is that influence which makes the same
apple raised in Massachusetts a little earlier and softer in texture,
in Western New York a still larger and richer colored fruit and in
central Illinois nothing but a fall apple. I am aware that I am
treading on dangerous ground and that the facts will not always bear
out the above statement, that the same results are frequently- due to
soil composition and soil conditions, but the general law holds good
that climate marks a broader and a deeper influence on a variety
than soil.

But I must come directly to the subject matter under discussion,
viz : — the climatic line of fruit culture in Maine. Is this an absurd
question? Has it been demonstrated beyond doubt that there are
limits to fruit culture in Maine? If so, where? Can we draw a line
anywhere in our State and say to fruit culture "thus far canst thou
go and no farther?" If such a line can be drawn, who is bold enough
to execute it, and where can he commence and whei-e end? There is
a prevailing opinion that the 45th degree of latitude is about the
average northern limit to successful fruit culture in Maine, and this
opinion is founded on our present knowledge of and our present
development of the business. The facts will bear me out in saying

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 87

that this line is the northern limit to successful fruit culture as at
present developed, varied of course by the positions of the northern
counties and the elevation of the land above the sea level.

The 45th degree of latitude runs through the lower portion of No.
4, Oxford County, jnst grazing the northern boundary of LakeCup-
suptic ; in Franklin County through the northern portion of Range-
ley, Dallas, centre of Plantation No. 1, and the northern portion of
Mt. Abraham Township and Kingtiekl ; in Somerset County through
Lexington, Concord, Bingham, Brighton, Harmony- and Ripley ; in
Penobscot County through Dexter, Garland, Charleston, Corinth,
Hudson, Alton and Argyle, where it strikes the Penobscot River
about fourteen and a half miles above Bangor ; tlien crossing through
Milford and Greenfield it strikes and passes through the upper un-
settled portion of Hancock County, and thence on through unsettled
portions of Washington County when it passes through Crawford,
Cooper, Meddybemps, Charlotte, Pembroke, and winds up on the
eastern border in Perry. Now a large part of Washington County
is but a howling wilderness, the settled portions including those
towns bordering on the Atlantic, Passamaquodd}^ Bay and the St,
Croix River.

In Charlotte the Baldwin is grown to only a limited extent, while
nearl}' every other variety known to pomologists is successfully
grown with the exception of Williams' Favorite, King Sweeting,
Primate, King and Porter, which are considered tender. Pears also
succeed well, being tardy onl\- in bearing. Some orchardists have
tried the Baldwin to the extent of half a dozen trees or more
and some pronounce it a good bearer while others call it a poor
bearer. The experience of Mr. Henr}- A. Sprague has been that
young trees bear but thinly, owing, as he thinks, to winter killing of
the buds,

I wish to say in this connection, that fruit is successfully grown
seventy-five miles north of Charlotte in Aroostook County at Houlton,
ten miles north of 46 degrees latitude. Furthermore, that when
Washington County becomes more settled and the farmers turn their
attention more directly to agriculture and less to lumbering and fish-
ing, there will be no climatic reason why fruit culture ma}- not be a
successful business in any portion thereof.

In Hancock County fruit culture is not pursued to any extent to
which it is in counties west of the Penobscot. In favorable seasons
they raise a small surplus for export but occasionally not enough for

88 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

home consumption, when winter apples have to be brought from Bos-
ton. The climate, too, affects the fruit in the coast towns. On
account of much damp and foggy weather the fruit in general is less
highly colored and wanting in acidity or flavor. The same may be said
also of the fruit in Knox and Lincoln. The Baldwin is the leading
variety grown in Hancock Count}' and there is no portion of her
territory where fruit may not be successfully grown when proper
attention is given to the subject.

Crossing over into Penobscot County, the northerly limit of fruit
culture at present seems to be in the towns of Bradford, Cliarleston,
Garlaud and Dexter, about eighteen to twentj' miles north of Bangor.
Fair specimens of the Baldwin and Greening are grown in these
towns according to a statement made to me recently in a private
letter by S. C. Harlow, one of the most intelligent and successful
pomologists of Bangor. He calls these the nortlierl}' tier of towns
in the county. In reality, they are below the middle of the county.
He means simply that they are the northerly towns which are much
populated or cultivated. If you go up into the centre of Patten,
sixty miles farther north, you are then twenty miles below the north-
erly limit of the county, and if apples and other fruits can be suc-
cessfully grown in Houlton, ten miles farther north thau Patten, what
is to prevent their being grown in Patten, or Stacyville, or in Mount
Chase even ? Nothing, of course, so far as climate or soil is concerned.
The onh" drawback now is distance from railroad communication and
the comparatively unsettled state of the couutr}'. Fifty 3'ears from
now will make a great change and mark great progress in fruit
culture.

I might go on with a similar statement of facts and a similar course
of reasoning for Piscataquis, Somerset and Franklin counties, but it
would take up too much time and not be specially' profitable. I will
say, however, that successful fruit culture has progressed farther
north in Piscataquis than in any other county, with the exception of
Aroostook. In Franklin Count}- successful fruit culture has not
progressed much farther north than Farmington, Temple and Weld.
In New Vineyard, Strong, Freeman and Phillips the busiuess is in
that experimental condition where great uncertainty and great anxiety
prevails in the introduction of those varieties which succeed well
farther south, except in specially favored localities. In towns farther
north, say in Salem, Kingfield and Madrid, fruit culture is in that con-
dition it was in fifty years ago in Farmington. For this latter state-

STATE POMOl.OGICAL SOCIETY. 89

ment I am indebted to Mr, S. R. Leland, tlie well-known pomologist
of Mt. Baldwin Farm, in Farmington.

You may not find as many climatic changes in Franklin as in
Oxford, but you will find some quite as severe. When a man's
entire yearly product of fiuit, amounting to four or five hundred
dollars, is destroyed in a night from one October freeze, or thousands
of grafts from one to four years of age of several standard varieties
are killed back to the parent stock in one winter, he is strongly in-
clined to mark his position as the climatic line of fruit culture. But
it only goes to prove that he was unfortunate in the position of the
orchard and in the selection of the varieties Select the proper
varieties, engraft them on hard}', well-tested stock, plant the trees
in soil suited to their growth, shelter them with evergreen or other
forest trees, and I will venture to say that you have removed the
climatic line in the course of fifty years — so far, at least, as your
own position is concerned — one-half a degree farther north. We
know that lightning seldom strikes twice in the same place and the
records of the past will go to show that a freeze like that which
utterly- destroyed the fruit crop in Phillips and in adjacent towns five
years ago, or like the freeze which within a few months past de-
stroyed a large part of the orange crop in Florida and ruined many
young trees, will not occur again for forty or fift}' years. The
orchardists in Florida are full of hope and courage, and the same
persevering and indomitable spirit should pervade all our frontier
or pioneer fruit culturists.

The climatic line of fiuit culture in Maine is all moonshine. That
staunch pioneer and venerable pomologist, Mr. Calvin Chamber-
lin of Foxcroft, has recently declared to me in a private letter that
the subject will do very well to talk about, but that it will be a good
deal like chasing the rainbow : it will be a great deal nearer to some
than to others.

We all know that the thermal line of fruit culture varies greatly
in one's own town. In riding the short distance of two miles, from
my place to Hallowell, we cross a comparative!}' low valley where the
thermometer on a cold winter's day or on a warm July night is always
from five to ten degrees lower than what it is near the top of the hill,
some sixty to sevent}^ feet in elevation.

Now I cannot remember, but Dr. Hoskins of Newport, Vermont,
will tell you just how many degrees difference there will be in the
thermometer for every fifty or one hundred feet difference in eleva-

90 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

tion, and he will tell 3-ou just what the probable effect would be upon
fruit culture for every ten or fifteen degrees of 3'early average
difference. It is not the sudden and short-lived dropping of the
thermometer to thirt}' or fort}' degrees below zero that seriously
affects fruit culture — we frequenth' have that in Kennebec County —
bui it is the shorter average season and the stead}' average of cold
below zero. I am confident that, while I can make fruit culture
successful in my present location, I could not do as well a mile awaj'
in the valley, not so much because of a difference in soil as the
difference in temperature. And if such be the case here with me,
what must it not be in man}' parts of Oxford and in Franklin counties ?
Now, if I was on the top of Mt. Abram, it would not take me long
to decide whether a Baldwin or one of Dr. Hoskins' Iron-Clads would
grow there. I should know they would not ; neither would they grow
and be productive down in the village of Salem, in the valley ; but I
would clear a nice little spot one-third of the way up on the eastern
side, having the forest on the north and west as a protection, and
there plant a Baldwin and expect it to grow ; no, I will not joke, I
should plant a small orchard of such varieties as had been tested for
a like latitude.

How is it in Aroostook County? I learn from Mr. E W. Merritt
of Houlton, who has canvassed the State pretty thoroughly, that,
while detached positions in some of the more northerly towns of the
county, such as Mars Hill, Mapleton, Castle Hill, Perham, and even
as far north as New Sweden, are favorable to fruit culture of certain
varieties for home use, it is impossible at present to make the busi-
ness profitable. Ho considers fourteen miles above Houlton as about
the northerly limit to fruit culture in Aroostook County. He says
there are places in Houlton where it would be impossible to make a
tree grow, and other places where all that you have to do is to set
out your tree and it will grow and thrive if protected from cattle and
mice. Furthermore, that the whole towns of Linneus and Hodgdon,
with parts of Littleton and Monticello, are of this character and also
large portions of the county west and south of Houlton. The lead-
ing varieties in Aroostook County are Tetofsky, Red Astrachan. New
Brunswick, Duchess, Alexander, Faraeuse, "Wealthy, and Blue Pear-
main, and these, after a thorough trial, are considered reliable and
profitable. Other varieties raised and which have proved good and
hardy, though not taking the lead yet, are Summer Harvey, Sops of
Wine, Williams' Favorite, Canada Baldwin, Haas, Mcintosh Red,

STATE POMOLOGICAL 80CIETT. 91

Golden Pippin, Bloom, Alterton, Gideon and Magog. The Wealthy
has proved, so far, hardy, productive, and a good keeper. But
above all and beyond all, Mr. Merritt considers the New Brunswicker
without a peer.

From this hasty glance over the State we find that fruit culture has
its present limit at or near the 45th degree of latitude in Franklin and
Somerset counties ; in Piscataquis, about twenty miles farther north ;
in Penobscot, on or just below the line ; in Hancock County, twenty
miles farther south ; in Washington, near the line, and in Aroostook
as high up as 46 degrees 24 minutes. Fruit is actually raised in
Aroostook, in a small way, 110 miles higher up than in Franklin ; in
fact, if you should travel that distance north of Rangeley it would
carry you out of the county and a long way into Canada. Now,
what does this line, which varies so greatly, go to show ? Certainly
not the climatic line of fruit culture. It onh* marks the present pro-
gress of the business as determined by population, cultivation of the
land and the interest manifested in this branch of agriculture. I
wish to say, in closing, that no man in or out of the State has done
more to advance the cause of fruit culture in our northern counties
than Dr. Hoskins of Newport, Vermont. Aroostook Count}', in
particular, is indebted to him for many valuable varieties, and these
varieties could not be obtained and tested without patient investiga-
tion and long and careful experiments. Perhaps he, or some one
equall}- as diligent, will yet discover the apple which for Aroostook
and our other northern counties shall take the place of the Baldwin
in Kennebec and other southern and central counties, and then we
shall have no climatic line.

In the absence of the writer, Mr. Atkins' paper, which was next
on the programme, was read by Hon. Rufus Prince.

THE MULCH QUESTION.

By Chas. G. Atkins.

Next to the fertilizing of the soil, there is no practice more gen-
erali}' approved or urged with greater emphasis by those assuming
to advise about the formation of plantations of fruit trees than that
of mulching. I do not remember ever to have heard a dissenting
voice from this general verdict, that a newly planted tree or shrub
should have a good coat of mulch spread about it. When, however,
it comes to the continuance of the practice during the successive

92 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

stages of the youth, manhood and old age of the orchard, we find
no such accord. The most of our counsellors, some on one plea and
some on another, advise us to discontinue the practice after a few
years, and I doubt whether a single member of this society or of
this assemblage will seriously' advocate the mulching of a grown
orchard on the same scale that is applied to newly planted trees,
that is, so as to cover all the roots, which in a bearing orchard, even
a comparatively young one, would amount to mulching the entire
surface. That is something that once seemed to me unquestionably
advisable, and I wish that I could now feel the same confidence, for
it is much more satisfactory to write an essa\' when one feels that he
has only solid ground under his feet, firm convictions to back up some
positive advice, than when one sits astride the fence of indecision.

Like most points in farm or garden practice, thei'e are many if's
and and's to the mulch question, and to clear the wa}' for a proper
consideration of the most important, let us make a list of the ad-
vantages and disadvantages, allowed or alleged, of the practice.

Among the advantages of mulching I would enumerate the fol-
lowing : (1), protection of the surface soil from excessive drying;
(2), the protection from sudden changes of temperature and there-
fore from alternate freezing and thawing in absence of snow in the
cold season ; (3), the prevention of the encrustiug of the surface or
of washing by rains, to which some tilled lands would be subject ;
(4), prevention of weeds; (5), securing to the roots undisturbed
possession of the surface soil; (G), the promotion of nitrification
and perhaps of other chemical changes in the constituents of the soil
which render them more available for food for the trees; (7), the
addition of fertilizing materials to the soil.

The objections ma}^ be marshalled thus: (1), to mulch a grown
orchard thoroughly is expensive ; (2), the mulch harbors insects and
mice ; (3) , there is danger of fire sweeping through the orchard and
destroying the trees; (4), the discontinuance of mulching after it
has been long employed gives the trees a serious set back.

The limits which I have proposed to myself for this paper will not
admit the consideration of all the specifications enumerated above,
even were they matters of dispute. I will therefore ask attention to
a few of the points involved.

The possession of the surface soil as a feeding ground seems to
be a matter of great importance, when we consider tlie greatly
superior fertility of that part of the soil. The first three inches may

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 93

be termed the cream and the lower layers the milk, which is effect-
ually skimmed when we allow any other vegetation to take possession
of the cieam, or by frequent cultivation prevent the roots of the trees
forming in it. A mulch not only keeps down other vegetation but
prevents the soil getting too dry to yield its manurial substances to
the trees.

The fertilizing properties of a mulch have not, I think, generall}-
received due attention. Any kind of vegetable matter contains
fertilizing ingredients which are made available b\' their digestion by
animals ; but this is not an indispensable process, for if spread on
the ground, exposed to moisture and the ordinary heat of the air,
they will decay and then yield all their ingredients, in just as avail-
able form. A ton of clover hay fed to animals adds to the manure
heap, if both solids and liquids are saved, about seven dollars' worth
of nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash. Spread on the ground it
will yield twenty-five per cent more, or about nine dollars' worth, and
there will be no such loss as occurs in most barns, where thirtj' or
forty per cent of the value is lost by escape of the liquids. A ton
of Timothy hay is worth some seven dollars in the same way. Straw
is worth about three dollars. Now let it be remembered that these
are the contributions of the several ingredients to the fertilitj^ of the
soil in addition to whatever effect they ma}- have by their direct action
as a mulch, which, it seems to me, we ma}' fairly estimate at not less
than two or three dollars. This would make wheat straw worth five
or six dollars per ton for our purpose, Timothy, nine or ten, and
clover eleven or twelve dollars. Swale hay has a prett}- high manurial
value ; indeed, the analyses just now accessible to me rank it so high
that I dare not use them as a basis for computation. Doubtless some
one will wonder what clover and Timothy have to do with the mulch
question, and I make bold to reply that under some circumstances it
might be advisable to use either of them as a mulch. It sometimes
happens that they are spoiled by bad weather at haying time, and it
would then be better to haul them direct to the orchard than to put
them into the barn. Sometimes an orchardist has a surplus of hay
and is tempted to sell. I made up my mind some time ago that no
Timothy or other upland hay should ever leave my farm at a less
price than nine dollars per ton, and I have had many tons of some-
what weedy but still salable hay hauled out from my barn and spread
under the trees. As to clover, I must own having used it in prime
condition as a mulch. I had a voung orchard which needed enrich-

94 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

ing. By the aid of phosphate rock I got a handsome growth of
clover. The first crop was mown and raked up near the trees a
mulch ; the second crop was allowed to go to seed. I propose to
continue this practice till the clover runs out. I question whether
there is on the whole anj' better way to feed an orchard than to reh'
wholly on mulch. Any kind of straw, grass or weeds will furnish
all the needed ingredients, and have only to be applied in sufficient
quantity to fully supply the demands of the trees and fruit. And
this brings us plump against one of the objections to mulching.

First objection, its expensiveness. Now, to spread a little mulch
around the trunk of each tree will not involve a great expenditure in
a whole orchard, but to cover the entire surface would indeed cost
quite a sum of money, or a great deal of work. But so does fer-
tilizing by means of manure. A good farmer who had an opportunity'
to bu}' stable manure from an}^ of our New England villages and
wished to give a poor field a real good dressing would not think of
putting on less than forty dollars' worth. Now fort}' dollars ex-
pended in mulching would probably put on six or seven tons, and
that, I should think, would be a pretty good application for an acre,
and I have no doubt that its effects would last longer than those of
the manure. My friend, Mr. Weston of Belgrade, made this state-
ment as the result of his experience: "If," said he, "you put a
cart-body full of good barn-yard manure around an apple tree and
two cart-bodies full of swale hay around another similar tree, the
latter will show less eflTect the first season, an equal effect the second
season and far greater effect from that time on."

Another objection which it seems should have some weight but
not be conclusive, is that the result of discontinuing mulching after
having employed it till the trees have attained considerable size is a
serious check to their growth and fruitfulness. Evidently, however,
this objection has nothing to do with the continued mulching of an
orchard. It is only an objection to abandoning the practice.

There are j^et to be considered two objections, which have, it seems
to me, great weight, and which make me doubtful as to the advisa-
bility of mulching, after having satisfied myself that from every
other point of view it is the best mode of treatment. These objections
have reference to the hai-boring of vermin and the danger of fire.

I have never observed amongst my own trees an3'thing that would
lead me to think mice were more likely to gnaw mulched trees than
those not mulched, but the testimony of others is quite strong. As

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 95

to insects, I veiy much fear that mulch affords a better lodgement
to the codling moth than they can find either in turf or tilled surface.
A large proportion of these worms, on leaving the apple, drop to the
ground and then start for the tree, an unerring instinct seeming to
guide them toward its trunk, which they ascend a little vfa-y, in
search of shelter, giving us an opportunit}- to trap and destroy them.
If the ground is encumbered with any kind of impediment a large
part of the worms appear to be prevented from reaching the tree,
doubtless making their cocoons under shelter of the rubbish on the
ground, where we cannot find and destroy them. The apple maggot
is another insect which may profit from the presence of mulch, though
too little is known of his habits and wants to warrant us in drawing
positive conclusions.

Finallj^ the man whose earthly possessions consist largely of apple
trees surrounded by such combustible material as dry mulch has
good reason to wear an anxious face those breezy spring days be-
tween snow and grass, and cast many a nervous glance to windward
on the watch for the column of smoke which is to be the precursor
of the ruin of his hopes. Perhaps by and by we shall have a system
of insurance against such losses, but for the present we who choose
to mulch must shoulder a great risk. I have never known of any
very serious losses from fire, but minor losses have occurred in m}'
own neighborhood, which would have been great disasters had the
entire ground been covered with mulch. Perhaps it would be well
to leave the ground immediatel}' about the trunk of a tree bare of
mulch. When the trees are young this space could be hoed, and
when they are older it could be allowed to go to grass, which would
never be ver}' stout under the spreading branches.

Thus, as I intimated in the beginning, though for a while I was
able to blow a good horn in favor of mulching, yet has candor com-
pelled me to come out of the little end at last and own myself just
ready to crawl into my boots through fear of what may befall me as
the result of what I have done and propose still to do to my apple
trees.

The next paper presented was,

MISTAKES IN FRUIT GROWING.

By D. P. True.

After twenty years of mistakes and some partial successes, I think

you will pardon me for the use of a few moments of your valuable

time, and these few words of caution are not intended for you, as

96 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

each of you know too well that "eternal vigilance" is the price of
good fruit. We do not wish to discourage beginners, for we believe
in the grand possibilities of the business, but in this short chapter
I will point out some of the obstacles that beset the path of the fruit
grower.

Many have made the mistake of setting cheap or poor trees, picked
up in the woods or other places ; trees covered with bark lice or
stunted. All such trees are very unprofitable.

One of the most common mistakes made by some of the best
orchardists is in having too many varieties, making more work in
harvesting and not so desirable. In some cases a number of varie-
ties have been placed in one tree. This is one of the worst mistakes.
Different locations require diflfercnt varieties to get the best results.
Big mistakes in the selection of varieties have been made. One of
the great questions with the orchardist is, What is the most profitable
variety to grow and meet the wants of the present and future mar-
ket? Mistakes are quite common in the distance of planting out
trees. This question is largel}^ one of circumstances. If one has
more land than money it ma}' be best not to set so near. AVhere
land is more costly, trees ma}' be set twice as thick as needed, and
when the trees cover the land one-half of them may be removed.

One of the saddest of mistakes is where one puts trees in old worn-
out grass fields and wholly neglects them and expects to raise an
orchard. All such cases end in a miserable failure. Another mis-
take is in placing mulch so near the trunk of a tree and in such
quantity' that it will heat and kill the tree. The writer can testify to
the loss of fift}' valuable trees killed in this way.

Losses may occur from mice and the borer. Some have had whole
orchards destroyed by one or both of these enemies. Careful prun-
ing is necessar}', but some have made bad mistakes in this direction ;
the leaves are to the tree what the lungs are to the body. Extreme
catting should be avoided.

In grafting, orchards in some cases have been nearly ruined by
sawing too large limbs or hubs, setting poor scions, grafting limbs
in the center of the tree, using poor wax, neglecting to look after
the scions after the work has been performed. Tliese have been the
cause of much damage. Turning sheep and lambs into a 3'oung
orchard without taking the precaution to coat the trunks of the trees
with manure, has caused a big loss in some cases. Oxen and large
cattle have proved ver}' fatal to young trees, when turned into the

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 97

orchard. Allowing trees to over-bear and break themselves down»
is a mistake. Thin the fruit, but do not prop the limb.

If one has dwarf pears, as the quince root is fibrous, do not let
the ground remain in grass; if you do you will make a mistake.
Pa\ing big prices for new A'arieties has in some cases proved a mis-
take. The writer has seen, in Washington County, large orchards^
comprised mostly of Sulard crab. I think we shall have to call
thot a mistake. Tree agents sell us a bill of trees of a certain
variety', and when the}' fruit they do not prove true to name. What
shall we do, keep our temper and call it a mistake? But, in fruit
growing, as in most other business, the profits are in proportion to
the risks ; and to all those that have a taste for the business we
would sav, grow fruit by all means AVith the keeping qualities of
our Maine fruit, and the large foreign demand, with our conven-
iences for shipping, the A'alue of our fruit, compared with that from
some other states in the Union, our cheap hill-sides so well adapted
to fruit growing — when all these advantages are considered, what
fairer prospect could we ask than to have good orchards on our
farms?

The next paper presented was,

CAN THE CODLIXG MOTH BE TRAPPED?

By Samuel C. Haklow.

Under this head The Home Farm of January 7th published an
article from the Orange Coiuity Farmer informing its readers that
Mr. Smith, who had raised a large crop of fine winter appk'S, in-
cluding Northern Spies, Greenings, and Kings — perfectly sound and
free from worms — attril)utes his success to the placing in each tree a
small tin cup with a solution of molasses, vinegar and water to
attract the codling moth. As might be expected, the result, to use
his own words, was, that he captured m3riads of moths of various
kinds, and he tJiinks a good many codling moths. But right here,
when the success of this method seems so certain to the uninitiated
reader that he resolves to use his own fruit in the same way, Mr.
Smith dashes the hopes of his reader b\- the cool admission that he
is not suflicientl}- versed in entomology to positively identify the cod-
ling moth ; so that the question of whether among the myriads of
moths, millers, beetles, bugs, and other insects (many of them in-

98 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

jurious to orchards) there was a solitary specimen of the Carpocapsa
2:)omoneUa, is one that will never be answered.

In replying, I'roin my own expeiience, to the question that heads
this aiticle, my answer is : not in open-mouthed bottles or vessels of
liquor, as I have lonnd to ray disgust. For several years I have
expel inu'uted with sweetened water, vinegar, sour milk and other
solutions, invariably without any good results, and my experience is
sustained by some of our most experienced entomologists.

A friend of mine is confident that he destroys the codling moth as
well as other insects, b^' bonfires through the orchard the last of June
or in July. Yet it is an indisputable fact that this destructive insect
is less attracted by light than other iusects. It works b3' night and
is rarely seen in its natural state in the day time.

My own opinion is that the codling moth cannot thus be destroyed.
I will now refer briefly to a few methods of trapping the codling moth,
each of which is successful to a limited extent only. The first, and
that which is most satisfactor}', because of its certainty, is to keep
the doors and windows of the fruit house or cellar closed from the
time the trees blossom through the month of July, or until all the
larvos have hatched and come from their cocoons, which may be
found secreted in the crevices of barrels, boxes and baskets. In
these dark recesses the insect changes to the perfect moth, and soon
finds its wa}' to the window in its attempt to reach the orchard. I
have often taken advantage of this fact b\' destroying, with the aid of
a broom, hundreds if not thousands yearly, as they fluttered on the
inside of the window pane.

In localities where one is not troubled by his neighbor's insects
many larvae of this moth may be trap[)ed and largely destroyed by
tacking cloth bands around the trees just before the worm begins to
leave the fruit. Cloth is considered much better than paper for this
purpose. With strips of thick, warm cloth tacked around the trunk of
the tree, I have in some cases caught not less than fifty at one ex-
amination of a tree. These examinations should be made weekly,
and continued through August. Better results are obtained, if at
the time of a{)plying the cloth the trunk of the tree and larger limbs
are scrai)ed and the hiding places removed. After scraping the tree
apply a strong soap wash to keep the bark smooth.

Many insects may be destroyed b}' picking off the wormy fruit as
soon as it can be detected, before the insect leaves the fruit to enter
the chrysalis state, and although but a part of the infected ones may

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETT. 99

contain a worm, it is small satisfaction to feel when you get one that
you have not only destroyed the possible destroyer of a dozen fruits,
but also prevented a manifold increase of these pests. All infested
fruit, whether gathered from tree or ground, should be fed as soon as
possible to stock, and thus prevent escape.

In regard to the advantage of sheep and swine in orchards to
destroy the fallen fruit, it is evident that if the orchard is isolated it
will be benefited in just the ratio of the fallen fruit destroyed, con-
taining worms, to that portion from which the worms escaped before
falling.

A trial of these several methods for years has satisfied me that
howevei- good any or all of them may be as aids, they are at best but
partial remedies, that cannot be depended on for effectually destro3'ing
this worst enemy of the apple

In an article on tins subject two or three years ago, I reluctantly
expressed the opinion that a resort to spraying with insecticides was
the only effectual remedy. The general success attending this
method during the last two 3 ears in the Western iStates, together
with limited experiments made by myself, have convinced me beyond
a doubt that spraying is the most successful remedj' ^et discovered.
The general use of insecticides (poisonous or otherwise) for the de-
struction of the codling moth, as well as the canker worm, leaf roller,
and various enemies of the apple, opens a wide field for investigation
and experiment. I will briefly refer to a few of these.

Although there are many cases reported among western orchardists
of the successful use of London purple, Paris green and white
arsenic, there are very conflicting opinions as to the merits and de-
merits of each. For instance, London purple is recommended for
its solubility in water, the purple color of the water showing plainly
where used. On the other hand, it varies so much in strength that
it is exceedingly difllcult. as I have found, to determine the strength
of the solution of a pound in a given quantity of water, or whether
it will injure f(jliage or fruit, without first testing it on a branch. A
test may require several days. Owing to the adulteration of Paris
green with baryta, the strength of that also is uncertain ; while its
great specific gravity necessitates constant stirring, while spraying, in
order to apply it evenly. In the use of arsenic (which to be pure
must be white, not graj') great <:;are is necessary in handling. To
prepare it, take a pound of arsenic and boil rai)idly for an hour in
four gallons of water. This should be done in the open air. Care

100 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

should be taken not to inhale the steam. When dissolved, reduce
to about 200 gallons to make it safe for the foliage. Care should be
taken not to give an}' part of the tree a double portion or throw the
spray forcibly against the leaves, as 1 have myself scorched the
leaves by neglecting both of these precautions. When spraying,
always stand so as to throw the spray with the wind, beginning
always on the lee side of the orchard, working backwards against
the wind. In two experiments with a solution of London purple, at
the rate of one pound to 200 gallons of water, owing to the uncer-
tain strength of the purple and the force with which it struck the
leaves (thrown by a fountain force pump), or from both causes
combined, I found within a few days the foliage and fruit were both
scorched to an extent that dwarfed them for the rest of the season.
I would advise novices to test the strength of this and all other
arsenical solutions, b}' spraying a single branch and noting its con-
dition a week afterwards.

For the destruction of the first brood of worms it should be ap-
plied as soon as the apples are as large as currants. As to the
number of applications, more light from actual experiment is needed.
It a rain occurs soon after spraying, the operation should be re-
peated. Let me here say, in connection with the subject of rain,
that all animals must be kept out of the orchard after spraying with
either one of the above-named solutions, until heav}' rains have
washed the foliage and grass.

In what I have said above about spraying b}' any of the insecti-
cides, reference is made to the first brood of worms only. If suc-
cessful in destroj'ing these and your neighbors do the same, there
will be no second brood. Further experiments are needed, not only
to determine which of the three above-named substances is best, but
also, if possible, to find some insecticide that can be safely applied to
the destruction of the second brood (where there is one) without
injury to the fruit. Hoping to be able to attempt, if not accomplish
this the coming season, I will close by reminding fruit raisers that
after two large crops of apples in succession, we maj- expect a small
one of fruit, accompanied by a large one of codling moths next sea-
son, and we should act accordingl}'.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 101

Hon. Z. A. Gilbert then made a few remarks on the

MANAGEMENT OF FKIJIT EXHIBITIOlSrS.

The speaker referred to the practices employed in the exhibition of
frnit in former times. In the last ten years a great advancement
has been made, dating from the Centennial Exhibition. There must
be pleiit}' of room to arrange the exhibition of fruit in order for it to
look well. If anything, 30U have been too modest in your demands
for room. The entire upper hall of the exhibition building at Lew-
iston is none too large in which to propeily arrange the fruit. In
order to make this display as it should be, the plans should be defi-
nitely laid out in advance and a general system arranged. The
leading exhibits should have the most prominent places and a suf-
ficient amount of room should be reserved for the exhibition of the
single plates of fruit. The exliibitors should have their fruit on
hand promptly and the awai'ds should be made by the judges before
the crowds appear and before the fruit becomes second hand. We
should have platters instead of plates on which to exhibit the fruit,
as being more suitable to its proper display. The beauty of the
floral exhibition is largely brought about by the careful arrangement
of the many varieties. All samples of fruits and flowers shown should
be perfect and representative of their kind.

The remainder of the afternoon was taken up with

DISCUSSIOX.

Mr. Gilbert. Mr. Brown, have you had an}- difficult}' with black-
berries winter killing?

Mr. Brown. Yes. I have. The AVachusett Thornless has bothered
me the most. But still I know where I can find them growing wild.
The Snyder is a hardy plant. I know a man in my locality who
planted an acre. He had done so in other counties and failed, but
succeeded well here. I cannot recommend any one variety.

Mr. Gilbert. Is the Wachusett hardier than the Snyder?

Mr. Brown. I don't know that it is. I think the hardiest if al-
lowed to grow long canes will winter kill. In pruning, if my plants
grow vigorous in June, I prune them ; if they grow slow all summer
I don't prune them at all. A man must use common sense in the
matter of pruning.

Ca[)tain Jordan. "What time do you put out the plants?

102 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Mr. Brown. Just as soon as the frost is out of the ground a foot
deep.

S. L. BoARDMAN. Docs jour market demand the blackberry?

Mr. Brown. I sell ten times as many strawberries as black-
berries. In order for a blackberry to sell well it must be a good one.
I have little competition. Unless there is a clear field in market I
would not recommend to plant onl^y enough for home use.

Mr. L. F. Abbott. Do the}- rust?

Mr. Brown. No, sir.

Mr. Nelson. Do you use anything to keep the canes from break-
ing in the winter?

Mr. Brown. No, sir.

Mr. Nelson. How tall do they grow?

Mr. Brown. The first year two feet ; the second year I allow them
to grow higher.

Mr. Nelson. How do you prune?

Mr. Brown. I pinch the crown of the cane. To stop upper
growth, snip with shears.

Mr. Nelson. Do you pay an}- attention to buds?

Mr. Brown. No, sir.

Mr Briggs. You mention strawberry culture. Does it make
any difference whether the plant is taken from near the original or
farther out?

INIr. Brown. Take it next to the parent slock. You can't pre-
vent winter killing. You will lose more from the continual freezing
and thawing than from any other cause. This action tears off the
roots and leaves and finally throws the plants out of the ground.

Mr. Briggs. What do you do to keep them from getting soiled?

Mr. Brown. That is a hard question.

Mr. Briggs. Did you ever use sawdust?

Mr. Brown. No, sir.

Mr. Jordan. Don't the raspberry throw up shoots?

Mr. Brown. Y'^es, they all throw up shoots. I set rows five feet
apart and set out five in a place. I like to have thick places near
together. From these places I take out shoots to set.

Mr. Nelson. Are the cultivated raspberries troubled with the
maggot?

Mr. Brown. I have raised bushels and sold them to private cus-
tomers who did not find a maggot in them. I dou't deny but what
they are there, but they are very few.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 103

Mr. Nelson. How do you account for this?

Mr. Brown. I suppose the maggots don't like them. Many do
not like the cultivated berry. I sort mine in a bowl, put on some
powdered sugar and put them in a cool place for twenty-four hours.
They do not taste like the native berry.

Mr. Atherton. I want to say a word on the subject of our fall
exhibition. I was much pleased with tlie remarks of Secretary Gil-
bert. I realize that there is need of more room, but we are pleading
and not demanding and we sliould act as though we were at the
courtesy of the Agricultural Societ}'. The rule that the exhibits
should be there at just such a time or be struck out is a hard one,
and should not be enforced. We should reduce the number of our
varieties. I believe we should have a separate exliibition.

Mr. BoAUDMAN. We have, as a society, received the most courte-
ous treatment from Judge Prince, who, with his one thousand and
one other things to act upon, has been at a loss to see how to give
us more room.

Mr. Gilbert. I don't agree with Brother Atherton in regard to
a separate exhibition. The people want the two held togetlier, and
it will produce more effective results.

Mr. BoARUMAN. Very many persons here will remember the
exhibition ot the Society held in Portland in 1874. It was one of
the finest the Societv ever held, but there were but very lew to attend
it. and that is the reason we want the two exhibitions combined.

Mr. Knowlton. I want to revert to the question of the hardiness
of the raspberry and blackberr\'. I agree with Mr. Brown in regard
to pruning. It is quite as essential to cut out the suckers that come
up from the bottom as from the top in both the raspberry and black-
berry. I allow only three or four suckers to a plant. If you allow
the Turner to have its own way it would set up a forest. I think
this has a sood deal to do with the hardiness.

104 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

EVENING SESSION.

BUSINESS MEETING OF THE SOCIETY.

A business meeting of the Society was held at 6.30 o'clock, pre-
ceding the public session, President Pope in the chair.

Z. A. Gilbert, L. H. IJlossom and S L. Boarduian were appointed
a eotnniittee to consult with the managers of tlie Maine State Agri-
cultural Societ}'' in reference to enlai'ged accommodations for the
proper displa}' of the horticultural exliibit next autumn.

Mr. S. R. Sweetser, from the committee on the fruit exhibited,
reported the following specimens contributed b^' the several parties
mentioned: R. H. Gardiner, Gardiner, seven varieties; D. J.
Briggs, South Turner, thirteen ; Albion Kicker, Turner, six ; John
M. Jones, Turner Centre, six; D. H. Knowlton, Farmingtou, five;

C. H. Moody, Turner, two; AV". P. Atherton, HallovvelU seven; R.

D. Leavitt, North Turner Bridge, five ; L. H Blossom, Turner Cen-
tre, thirteen ; N. W. Adams, Turner Centre, two ; D. House, North
Turner, six; G. W. Blossom, Turner Centre, fourteen; F. E.
Nowell, Fairfield, nine ; Rufus Prince, Tuiuer Centre, eight ; O.
C. Nelson, Upper Gloucester, six; S. R. Sweetser, Cumberland
Centre, five; A. E. Bradford, Turner Centre, one.

D. H. Knowlton, for the committee on the President's address,
presented the following report: —

Your committee to whom was referred for further consideration
the annual address of the President, having attended to the duty
assigned them, beg leave to report: —

The suggestions made in the address are excellent and deserving
of careful study by the fruit growers of the State. For the con-
sideration of fruit growers in particular we call special attention to
those portions of the address urging the importance of obtaining
good nursery stock, of uniting together for the purpose of gaining
more knowledge of fruit growing and securing better prices for fruit.

For further action of this Society we recommend,

1st. That a special committee on nomenclature be appointed by
the President, to serve at the annual exhibition, whose duty it shall
be to name, as far as possible, the varieties exhibited "■ibr name,"
and to correct those wrongl}- named.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 105

2c!. That the Executive Committee take such measures as may be
necessary ''to enforce the rule, that no one shall be allowed in the
hall at the close of the exhibition except those that have a pass with
permission to remove goods."

3d. That this Societj' recommend the passage of a law by the
State Legislature fixing the size of the apple barrel.

4th. That the President and Secretary of the Society take such
measures as may seem proper to them to secure horticultural statis-
tics, to confer with the Commissioner of Agriculture and other horti-
cultural societies for the purpose, and to promulgate from time to
time such information as will be of value to fruit growers of the
State.

The report was accepted and the following action taken upon it:
Under topic 1, Samuel Rolfe, W. P. Atherton, and D. P. True were
appointed a committee on nomenclature ; No. 2 was adopted ; No.
3 was tabled ; No. 4 was adopted, and referred to the Executive
Committee for being carried out. The business meeting then ad-
journed and the public session opened.

PUBLIC SESSION".

The hour at which the public session for the evening was fixed
having arrived, President Pope called the meeting to order and intro-
duced the Secretary, Mr. Boardmau, who read the following paper.

AN APPLE : HOW TO PICK IT, AND WHAT TO DO WITH IT.

By the Secretary, Samuel L. Boardman.

AVell has Downing called the apple, "The world-renowned fruit of
temperate climates." Like wheat among the cereals, and the potato
among vegetables, it stands with them at the head of its class and
may most appropriately be denominated the ''King of Fruits." No
other fruit of the temperate zone has so wide a distribution, or at-
tains excellence in so extensive a range of countries — being found as
it is in nearly the whole of Europe, Northern Africa, Northern Asia,
China, Japan, throughout the whole of North America, in South
America (being abundant in Soutliern Ciiili) and in Australia. In
fact, whfiesoever civilization has planted its home — in all the tem-
perate Intitudes of the globe — there this king of fruits may be found
not far from the cottage door, and its fragrant bins, in all their
unctuous iK-auty, repose in the home cellar. Li the United States apple
orchards are cultivated from Florida to Alaska — even in so hisrh a

106 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

latitude as Sitka it blossoms iu June but does not always perfect it8
fruit. The apple has been praised among writers and poets from the
most remote periods of antiquitv. In some countries the custom yet
lingers of placing a rosy apple in the hand of the dead that they
ma^' find it when they enter paradise. Among the heathen gods of
the northern mytholog}' the giants cat apples to keep off old age.
Maj' it not be that with us moderns they had found out the health-
giAMng properties of this glorious fruit, and endowed it with qualities
which conduced to health and long life? Certain it is that the apple
is full of vegetable acids and aromatics, which act as refrigerants
and antiseptics — enemies to jaundice, indigestion and that dreaded
member of the human system, a torpid liver. It is a gentle spur
and tonic to the whole biliary s^'stem. Chemists also tell us that the
apple contains a greater per cent of phosphorous than an}' other
fruit or vegetable — which makes it a proper food for the scholar and
sedentary man, feeding his brain and stimulating his liver. This was
probably the view taken of the apple by that good old clergyman of
whom John Burroughs tells us, who on pulling out his pocket-hand-
kerchief in the midst of his sermon, pulled out with it two bouncing
apples that went rolling across the pulpit floor and down the pulpit
stairs. These apples were, no doubt, to be eaten after the sermon,
on his way home — they would take the taste of it out of his mouth.
Then, beside, it would be impossible for a minister to gi'ow dull or
tiresome wilh two big apples in his coat-tail pockets. He would
naturally want to hasten along to ''{inally" and the apples — especialh^
if the season were late fall and the apples Nodheads. Moreover,
we must not forget that the apple is full of sugar and mucilage,
which makes it highh' nutritious. The P2nglish extol the apple in
the highest terms. Mr. William Robinson, a great horticultural
authority, of London, pionounces the American apple '*the grandest
fruit that ripens under the sun." And well he may, for the English
apple is an insipid, tame affair, compared with the solid, aromatic,
sun-colored and sun-steeped fruit of our northern orchards. In the
humid, cloudy and foggy climate of England, the maple tree yields
no sugar, and the apple tree no such sweet, delicious fruit as do our
Tolmans and Franklins. "The grandest fruit that ripens under the
sun." That may sound extravagant — but is it not true? What
single fruit is adapted to so universal use, and to such universal
taste? It compasses in its eatable, fresh condition, iu all the mar-
kets of the temperate-zoned world, eleven months certainly of the

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 107

yearly rounci, and in extreme instances the two ends of the year
meet with apples still upon the table. Like bread, one never tires
of the apple. Of what other fruit of the tropics or the temperate
climate can it be said that everybody' likes it at all times of the
year? Pears, plums, grapes, oranges, figs, dates, — run through the
entire list, and the apple will outlast them all. While tlie market is
supplied with corky oranges, picked under-ripe, or with canned and
preserved fruits from different climes, us insipid as they are costly,
the northern-grown and northern-iipened apple, lull to the bursting
of the stored-up richness of the ripening autumn sun, takes its
place on the fruit stands — a whole length ahead of them all, cheap
in price, and appealing to the satisfaction of every taste.

Of all the English-speaking writers, I think John liurronghs has
given to our api)le its best '"•cliaiacter." I have hunted in vain,
through the whole body of our hoi'ticnltural and poetic literature, for
a better description of it than this charming autlior has given, but I
fail to find it. If I were a good reader I would ask you to listen
while I read yon a few pages of his delightful word-painting of
this most magnificent fruit. As it is, will 30U listen to a few sen-
tences ?

"The apple is the commonest and yet the most varied and beau-
tiful of fruits. A dish of them is as becoming to the center-table in
winlei' as was the vase of flowers in summer — a bouquet of Spitzen-
bergs and Greenings and Northern Spies. A rose when it blooms,
the apple is a rose when it ripens. It pleases ever}' sense to which
it can be addressed — the touch, the smell, the sight, the taste ; and
when it falls, in the still October days, it pleases the ear. It is a call
to the banquet, it is a signal that the feast is readj'. * * * How
pleasing to the touch. I love to stroke its polished rondure with my
hand, to carry it in my pocket on my tramp over the winter hills, or
thi'ough the early spring woods. You are company, you red-cheeked
Spitz, or you salmon-fleshed Greening. I toy with you, press your
face to mine, toss 30U in the air, roll 3'ou on the ground, see you
shine out where you lie amid the moss and dry leaves and sticks.
You are so alive ! You glow like a ruddy flower. Yon look so
animated, I almost expect to see you move ! I postpone the eating
of 30U, 3'ou are so beautiful ! How compact! how exquisitely
tinted! Stained by the sun, and varnished against the rains. * * *
Noble, common fruit, best friend of man and most loved by him,
following him like his dog or his cow, wherever he goes. His home-

108 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

stead is not planted till 5'ou are planted ; your roots intertwine
with his ; thriving best where he thrives best, loving the limestone
and the frost, tlie plow and the pruning-knife, you are indeed sug-
gestive of hard}', cheerful industry and a healthy life in the open
air. Temperate, chaste fruit ! you mean neither luxury nor sloth,
neither satiety nor indolence, neither enervating heats nor the Frigid
Zones. Uncloying fruit, fruit whose best source is the open air,
whose finest flavors only he whose taste is sharpened by brisk work
or walking knows ; winter fruit, when the tree of life burns bright-
est ; fruit always a little hypeiborcan, leaning toward the cold, brac-
ing, sub-acid, active fruit. I think you must come from the north,
you are so frank and honest, so sturd}' and appetizing. You are
stocky and homely, like the northern races. Your quality is Saxon.
Surely, the fir\' and impetuous south is not akin to thee. Not spices
or olives, or the sumptuous liquid fruits — but the grass, the snow,
the grains, the coolness, is akin to thee. I think if I could subsist
on you, or the like of you, I should never have an intemperate or
ignoble thought, never be feverish or despondent. So far as I could
absorb or transmute j'our quality I should be cheerful, continent,
equitable, sweet-blooded, long-lived, and should shed warmth and
contentment around "

There, let us take breath ; and while doing so I want to introduce
you to the apple growing upon the trees we are to pick this evening.
A grand sight, this orchard upon the hill-side with its branches borne
down by the burden of sun-perfected fruit in the glowing days of
earl^' October. Every tree a bouquet, every apple, as it is, twin-
brother to the rose. I have looked carefully tluough the list of the
three thousand named varieties of this fruit to find the one single
variety which we are to make the leading sort for our commercial
orchards — the American Pomological Society's list of 322, and our
ow^n list of 85 varieties have each been diligently studied, and I have
found my one noble apple that heads the list and occupies the highest
place in the winter bin. It is an apple that adapts itself success-
fuU}' to a wider range of climate, soil and location than any other
sort ; handsome in form and color, a deep, rich, magnificent red ;
solid and firm as a rock in flesh and texture ; an apple that may be
kept till August, and is in splendid condition all through the winter
and spring, even into June ; that stands tranj^portation and ship-
ment to foreign markets better than any other variety ; that is more
in demand as a commercial sort, and better adapted for Maine

STATE rOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 109

1, T

growers than any other that can be named — in one word, the Bald- i q
win, a native of our old mother State, and the king of the New
England orchard. Wtll, some may raise objections to n)y typical
variety, and bring a lot of grave charges against it by reason of
flavor, or other disqnalilication. It is not my purpose to argue with
such ; ni}' purpose is to deny in toto their entire premises, and to in-
sist that this is the one sole variety best adapted to commercial
orchards in this, our splendid orchard State. To be sure, a man will
want a few other kinds, a tree or two of some early fall ajjples ; in
all, not more than a dozen, possibly* half a dozen would be better, of
the late fall and winter sorts for the dinner-table and evening tire.
This selection I leave every one to make for himself. What does a
man grow trees and raise apples for? — that he ma}' obtain cash from
the business. It is this that he is after ; and with no other variety
can he get so much money, one year with another for a period of ten
years, as from the Ikrldwin. The buyers tell us if the great apple
handlers are to order a thousand barrels of apples, nine hundred and
odd barrels will be Baldwins. The business of past years proves it ;
I can see no variety likely to take its place in the futuie that is to be.
Therefore if you plant or graft for the coming years, [)laut and graft
the Baldwin. It is the commercially-successful apple of the great
north.

Our apples are now ready for the harvest — how shall they be
gathered? Not as in the days of our boyhood, when two strong
men went into the trees, and, shaking the branches as if they would
tear the limbs from the trunk, sent the bullet-like apples rattling
down upon the stubble, rubbish and rocks, and over the backs of
us youngsters who ran under the trees for "fun," like shot from a
modern Gattling gun — while another, with a long, crotched pole,
gave the out-reaching limbs such fearful knocks, as though he were
punching a refractory pig at arm's length. We have improved upon
that. Then cider was the chief end of the orchard, and of some
men, too, for I remember my old uncle had a cider tank built in his
cellar, as large as a forty-hogshead cistern, which was lifted up with
faucet, depth gauge, and other modern conveniences, and upon
which he set his heart more than upon all the apples in his orchard,
or the cattle in his stalls. Now the art of picking apples has come
to be quite a study — in fact, almost a science ; and 1 don't see why
in the future a skilled apple picker should not be called "Professor"
with quite as much propriety as a corn doctor or dancing master is

110 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

now. Among the first requisites, there must be a good suppW of
ladders — not your lumbering, back-breaking ladders, witli sides four
bj^ four, and rungs as large as a stick of stove wood, which it will
take two men to elevate in position upon a tree, and will want a
horse and pair of wheels to move about the orchard — but a strong,
light, well-built ladder, wide at the base, to stand firm, and narrow
at the top, in order to run in among the branches with no injury to
the apples ; a ladder which a man can take in one hand and walk off
with, raising to the tree easily, built of smart wood, and painted.
Don't have these ladders too long, but graduate them to the height
of your trees. Step-ladders are also useful for the branches that
cannot be reached conveniently from the ground. Next, you want
a number of picking baskets — those which have the adjustable bail,
like that of a water pail, are the best; because, in placing the
basket of apples into the barrel the bail will tip back, allowing the
basket to be inverted, when it can be removed, the bail or handle
lying back over the side of the barrel out of the way. These
baskets should all be lined with old carpeting or sacking, so that the
fiuit may be placed in them without fear of giving them a scratch
or surface bruise, which is sure to discolor and injure it. Furnish
each basket with a hook, b}' means of which it may be fastened to
the rungs of the ladder or branches of the tree, leaving both hands
free lor business. Now we are ready to begin.

In the first place, pick from the lower branches all apples that ma}'
be reached from the ground. On some trees, trained low, this will
be considerable. My wife, who is a better farmer than I am, has
picked two barrels each, from many of m}' trees, standing on the
ground, without uncomfortable reaching. Next, with the step ladder
placed under the tree, gather all that can be reached from it among
the inner branches. Now the ladders will come into use upon the
outer limbs and extreme top of the tree, the stout branches making
a good stage for the pickers' feet — I say stout branches, for remem-
ber that broken hips almost invariably lie concealed in small, weak
ones. When the business of picking is in full blast one or two men
should be constantly upon the ground to assist in receiving and
emptying baskets from the pickers in the tree and thus save time,
while a sulliciency of baskets, for exchange, should also be provided.
Move about the tree carefully and steadily, or man}' apples will be
knocked off and lost — as all apples that fall go into No. 2's or even
ciders. In picking, follow out the branches from the trunk, picking

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETT. Ill

clean on each one, and keeping finished work all the time. On the
outmost brandies pick the apples from the terminal end first, as the
motion of the branch from picking is liable to shake off those from
the extreme end. Moreover, where three apples are tucked ou closely
together pick the best one first — make this an invariable rule always,
so that if b}' mischance one falls, it will be the smaller and inferior
one. Never twist or jeik an apple from the limb, but, grasping it
from the bottom, lift up on it gently and quickly. Tlie apple loosens
in an instant without having disturbed its near neighbors. Having
gathered your tree, all the apples having been put into the same
barrels to be sorted, then pick up those that are upon the ground by
themselves, and, as Artemas Ward said, "move on." It is a trade,
a science, as I have said, to pick a tree — the New Brunswickers call
it "pulling" apples — and one that some men can never acquire.
Boys make the best pickers, I think, where they will give heed to it.
A bright city boy, whom I picked up last fall to pick apples for me,
picked four barrels from one tree and did not drop or knock off" but
five apples while doing it. How many apples can a man pick in a
day? I judge that ten barrels is a good day's work. But Mr. E.
K. Whitney of Harrison told me that he took his boy home from
Bates College to help him gather apples, last fall, and he picked forty
barrels in one day, just to see what he could do. Bates is not an
agricultural college, but I doubt if Orono could send out a boy who
could do better.

If the apples are to be barrelled in the fall, the work of sorting
and barrelhng comes next. But whether they are barrelled or not
will depend upon the early demand for them. We will assume they
are to be put up as soon as picked, or within a few days, and will
begin sorting up the pile which has been brought from the orchard.
No. I's and No. 2's together. We want No. 1 apples. Now, what
constitutes a No. 1 apple, that is to say, a first-class marketable
apple? This question will be decided, somewhat, by the conditions
of the season, a large yield or otherwise, and by demand and supply.
In some years that would pass for a No. 1 apple, which in other years
would be at once discarded and put into the barrel of "seconds." A
No. 1 apple must be of good size, fair, unbruised, have the stem
attached, and be free from worm holes. Size is of course a com-
parative qualit}', but a first-class apple should not be a small one.
An a})ple having a bruise or scratch upon it should never be included
in a barrel of No. I's ; and all apples that fall in picking, however

112 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

large or fair, must be rightly consiojned to the "seconds." Falling
cannot but bruise them even if the bruise does not at once appear ;
but soon the bruised spot becomes discolored, decaj'S, and produces
injuiy to a whole barrel. It is not necessar3' to have stems attached
to all apples classed as "ones," but the facing apples should all have
stems attached to them. Occasionall}- an apple with a worm hole in
the blossom end may be admitted to a No. 1 classification, if other-
wise large, fair and sound ; but a worm hole in the side discards an
apple from this class, however fair it ma}* otherwise be. In barrel-
ling have sweet, clean, good barrels — new ones if possible, if not,
flour or cracker barrels thoroughly washed and cleaned, with all nails
bent or broken off ; this work having been done during the dull days
of haying, and not just at the moment when used, for apples should
never be put into barrels not perfectly dry. First, into the bottom
of the barrel, which is to be the opening end, lay in a large sheet of
white, unprinted paper, then face in a layer or two — some handlers
want two layers faced — stems downward. Fill the barrel by empty-
ing in the picking baskets full, one after another, giving each a stead}'
but quite vigorous shake to settle them into position, until the barrel
is full, having the last apples come a little above the chine. Head
by means of the screw header, nail in the head securely', and with
small twisted brads which will not go through the staves, see that
the hoops are securely tacked down. Now, having grown and packed
apples of which you will not be ashamed in any market in the world,
put upon the head of each barrel a printed label bearing the name
of the variety, and the name and place of residence of the grower,
or name of the orchard, if you have a fancy or home-like name for
^•our place or orchard. These are necessary requisites in obtaining a
reputation for your fruit, and you want a reputation if you expect
money and success from the business. So far, we have been talking
only of choice No. 1 fruit. Your seconds must be reserved for domestic
use or the local home markets. The windfalls must be fed or dis-
posed of in some other way. I am so much opposed to cider man-
ufacture, cider manufactures so many tipplers who graduate from the
higher paths of liquor drinking, that I would bury all m}' windfalls
rather than have them used for so diabolical a purpose. Still, good
cider vinegar is infinitely better than the acidulated water sold so
largely for vinegar, though the market for vinegar is not a large one,
hereabouts, and is usually well supplied.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 113

Now, having picked and barreled our apples, what shall we do
■with them? That is the "prize conundrum" for this year, I think,
though possibl}' another fall may solve it to our satisfaction. But,
with our cellars and bins full, a slight demand, and a price that
barelj^ pays the cost of growing, picking, barrelling and marketing,
it really is a most serious question as to "what are we going to do
about it." Of course we want to sell them, to get the highest price
we can for them, and if we could have things just to our liking we
would want an abundant yield in Maine, no apples in England, &x
slight crop in New York and Michigan, and a big price all winter
for apples delivered in Portland. All these conditions don't ccnie
round just as we want them ever3' year, but of one thing we saay
be quite sure — two years in succession where the opposite coa-
ditions present themselves are not likely to be followed by a third;
of like nature. So let us take courage. Two or three tbiings may
be mentioned as being generalbj correct— to be qualified somewhat,
of course, by the particular characteristics of the season. These
are, first, Vatit generally i\\Q sooner you can get your apples, mar-
keted after they are barrelled and ready for market, and get the
money for them down into your trousers pocket, or into that "old
stocking leg" in the till of the chest, the better. There is shrink-
age, waste, loss, expense, and risk in holding, re-packing, etc , and
if you can sell in the fall at a good price, and avoid all this, be sure
to do so. But observe, be wise ! Don't send 30ur apples to Eng-
land, or anywhere else, on an over stocked market, because 30U
want to get a reputation, as Secretary* Gold did, and when all ex-
penses are paid find you have not enough left to pa^' for picking and
hauling to market. In one week last fall four American ports sent
to England a total of 440,875 barrels of choice American apples,
and kept it up for several weeks. Of course prices were low.
Again, secondly, remember that generally we must plan to keep
back our apples till spring. We grow the best late-keeping apples that
ripen under the sun. I say we, and mean we of the State of Maine.
But we have not the facilities for properly keeping them. House
cellars, as a general thing, are not fit to keep apples in from No-
vember to April. They are too warm, are filled with vegetables and
other necessary supplies, and are thoroughly unfitted to become the
storage places for commercial apples. Cold storage cellars, or re-
frigerating houses, are coming to be an absolute necessity with our

8

114 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

orchavdists who are to make commercial apple growing a business.
When in Nova Scotia, two summers ago, I visited the great apple
storage house of Knill & Grant, built on the wharf of the Acadia
Steamship Company — a building lUO bv 150 feet, built of brick,
and having a capacity for storing forty thousand barrels of apples.
The foundation wall was of stone, the cellar bottom being six feet
below high water mark, the walls of the elevation being one foot
in thickness. The bottom was very moist, a flooring of loose boards
resting on joist four inches above the earth. The temperature of
this house was kept throughout the winter at thirt3--five degrees.
On June 5, 1884, apples were re-packed in that house which had
been in there for six months, with a loss of only two barrels in one
hundred, and the apples sold in Boston at $5.00 per barrel. Mr.
Augur, State Pomologist of Connecticut, says there are several
retarding or refrigerating houses in that State, used for the storage
-of apples, and he strongh' recommends the co-operative plan for
their further erection among the fruit growers of that State ; say,
forming a compan}' for this purpose having a capital of $2,000, in
forty shares of fift\' dollars each. Then let this cold storage house
be built near to some business shipping point, and yet within eas}'
reach of a considerable number of orchardists, who can avail them-
selves of its advantages for storing their apples until the period
arrives when they can sell them on the top of the market. Is such
a plan quite beyond accomplishment by the orchardists of Turner,
Winthrop, or Farmington, or any other apple-growing town in
Maine ? Na}', is such a plan not probable, and is it not likely to be
.a reality in the not far-off future ?

There are other uses of the apple and methods for its preserva-
tion to which I have not alluded, but which become important fea-
tures of the business of apple growing in certain seasons. In 3'ears
when there is a scarcity of apples, man}' will be evaporated, made
into jelly, or hermetically sealed — as is now being done quite
largely by the Winslow Packing Companj' — but for present consid-
eration I have thought these points less important than in a 3'ear
when they would be of more immediate application. Moreover, I
am aware some of the details I have given may have seemed tedious
to experienced orchardists, though I hope to the novice the}' may
have been of service. At an}' rate, I could not have omitted them
and say what I wanted to say about the Baldwin, how to pick it
and what to do with it.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 115

The next paper on the programme was contributed by Mr. S R.
Leland of Mt. Baldwin Farm, Farmington, read in his absence by
Mr. Atherton.

THE FUTURE OUTLOOK FOR FRUIT RAISING IN MAINE.
By S. R. Leland.

I shall not attempt to write a carefull}' worded essay on fruit rais-
ing, but instead write in a conversational and interrogator}' style, as
though I were conversing with a friend upou the subject. When I
speak of fruit raising in Maine as a profitable business, a money-
bringing crop, I mean principall}- the raising of apples. Pears,
grapes and the small fruits cannot, in m\' judgment, be raised at a
profit in Maine, except, perhaps, in the vicinity of our cities and large
villages, but I would most surely recommend for everj' person who
owns a piece of this earth, if no more than a village lot, to raise them
in sufficient quantity' (if he has the space to spare) for the use of his
family, as a source of health, pleasure and enjoyment.

Is there any danger of an over-production of apples in Maine?
The raising of certain classes of apples is already overdone. There
is a large amount of inferior natural fruit raised in this State, mostly
in the original orchards, which is worthless for anv other purpose
than for cider or feed for stock. Such fruit is of some value for the
above-named purposes, but as the original orchards were almost in-
variably planted on the best tillage land on the farm, would it not be
econom}', where such orchards are too far advanced in decay to be
grafted with any prospect of profit, to root them out and appropriate
the land to other crops? Another class of apples raised in Maine far
in excess of the demand is the summer and earl}' fall varieties. That
class of fruit matures at the season when the markets are over-
stocked with fruit of the same class. The tendency of such fruit to
immediate decay after maturity makes it almost worthless to the
orchardist in the interior of Maine except in sufficient quantities for
family use. Now we come to the late-keeping varieties of apples
such as have an established reputation in the markets. Is there any
prospect of the production of that class of apples being overdone in
Maine? The fine flavor and the late-keeping qualities of Maine
apples have established for them an enviable reputation in all the
markets of the world which they have ever reached.

Twentj'-five or more years ago, when the tree agents began to flood
Maine with the New York nursery stock, the cry was heard on every

116 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETi'.

hand "that orcharduig would be overdone, that apples would be
raised in such abundance that they would be worthless." Many
doubting Thomases have kept up the or}' and will tell you to-day that
they have no faith in future orcharding in Maine. How is it after
twent^'-five years have elapsed since that cr}- was first heard, that
note of alarm first sounded? Has there been any over-production of
good winter varieties of apples in Maine? Are there an}- more indi-
cations to-day of an over-production of winter fruit in our State than
there were twent^^-five years ago? It is true, ^ears like the present
will come, when the crop is large and prices low. Do not depressions
come in all branches of farming and all kinds of business? Does it
fall upon orcharding an}- oftener than upon other branches of farm-
ing? And even at the low price of apples this year, is not the net
income of a well-kept orchard of winter fruit as great as that of any
other crop we have produced?

The future outlook for the production of popular varieties of win-
ter apples in our State is to me particularly encouraging. Now let
us glance at a few reasons whj' we come to this conclusion. There
is no doubt but the next decade will see a large increase in the
number of apple trees planted in Maine, but many failures will also
be made. Scores of men will take the fever for orcharding who are
novices at the business. Some will plant on unsuitable land ; some
will plant more than the}' (!an or will take good care of; some, lured
b}' the pretty pictures and glib tongues of the tree agents, will buy
varieties not adapted to our climate, varieties not wanted in the
markets ; some will plant and neglect them, thinking when the tree is
planted their duty is done ; some will plant for cattle to browse and
rub, so that thousands of trees purchased and planted will never
live to produce a paying crop of fruit. The future increase in num-
bers of paying trees will be small in comparison to the number
planted.

No doubt there will be an increased production of apples in the
future, but need there be an}' fears of an over-production on that
account? Will not the increase of consumers who are not producers
keep pace with the increased production? Are not new foreign
markets likely to open for our best varieties of shipping apples ?

Can the future orchardist improve on the present one? It is an
established fact, in this section of Maine at least, that our high,
rocky hill-sides, where deep soil is always found, is our best orchard
land, particularly for the Baldwin. Would it not be wisdom for

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETT. 117

future orchardists to plant their trees on such land and appropriate
their good tillage land to other crops ? Trees planted on steep and
rocky land will need mulching with coarse manure and any vege-
table matter for a few years, till their roots get well established
among the boulders, after which they will flourish and bear excel-
lent fruit without much care.

An orchard located on such land, perhaps, will not produce as
bouutifulh' as a cultivated orchard, but will not the owner realize as
much or more net profit on the investment, taking into the account
the low value of the land for agricultural purposes, as to plant his
orchard on his best tillage? The future orchardist, to meet the de-
mands of the markets and secure the highest price for his product,
will have to sort and pack better than it has been the custom to do
in the past. The markets are becoming more particular 3'ear by
year on the sorting and packing of fruit.

The day is past when it will be wisdom for a man to send a bar-
rel of apples to the markets with a few good ones on each end and
the middle filled with refuse stuff, unless he is prepared to have
them dumped into the dock.

The future outlook for the profitable production of the Baldwin
and other varieties of popular winter apples in Maine is as good,
in my judgment, as it has been at any other time within my remem-
brance. The man who plants an orchard in the future, selects a
good soil and situation, propagates the right varieties, knows his
business, studies his business and attends to his business, need have
no fears that he will not receive a handsome reward for his labor
and expense. A word in favor of the Baldwin as the leading apple
to raise in this part of the State, and I will close.

The Baldwin tree, when planted on high land, where it belongs,
has proved as hardy in Franklin County as any variet3' grown here,
and has suffered as little from winter killing. It is a good bearer ;
the fruit hangs to the tree with great tenacity. It is attractive in
appearance, an excellent cooking apple, a fair eating apple ; will
bear rough handling better than most A'arieties ; stands up well to
ship, and is one of the most popular apples in all the markets of the
world where it has been introduced. A gentleman in Deering, who
has been largel}- engaged in the apple trade for several years, told
me recentl}' that over three-fourths of the winter apples shipped to
foreign countries were Baldwins, and a larger proportion than that

118 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

of those consumed in the cities of this country were of the same
variet}'.

In consideration of so many redeeming qualities as the Baldwin
possesses, and its still increasing popularity in the markets, and in
view of the comparatively small area where it can be grown in its
greatest perfection, it seems improbable and almost impossible that
it will ever be produced in excess of the demand. The man who has
the proper location for a Baldwin orchard and has in his make-up a
good share of that all-important element requisite to success in any
business, " stick-to-it-ive-ness," need have no fears to invest in
Baldwin trees to the extent of his abilit}' to give them good care.

■ The concluding lecture of the evening was deliv^ered by Mr. L. F.
Abbott, agricultural editor of the Lewislon Journal.

THE FUTURE OF ORCHARDING IN MAINE.
By Lyman F. Abbott,

Of the Ldtwiston Journal.

"The first dut}' of the farmers of our country is to provide our peo-
ple with food and clothing," said an eminent agriculturist to an au-
dience of Maine farmers not long since. To do this in the most
economic line of labor, yet bearing results satisfactory in point of
remuneration for capital and labor invested, is the paramount ques-
tion with the Maine farmer to-day. Economic agriculture is a subject
for thought, and through intelligent investigation has come to be the
solid and magnificent foundation upon which the superstructure com-
posed of all other economic industries directly rests, and indirectly
every question which concerns the well being of society, as well.
Intelligent agriculture lies at the foundation of our prosperity as a
State.

There are various lines of work having an economic bearing upon
the success of the cultivator of the soil. The relations of these to
other or similar lines of economic agriculture within the borders of
our own State, of New England, and measurably of the ^Yest, mod-
ifies to some extent success as measured by the usual standard of
putting money into the pocket of the farmer. These relations have
changed greatly within the last half century. Markets for all the
products of the farm have changed. Methods of production, as
well as the commodities produced, have undergone a wonderful
change. This is true of our stock, our butter and cheese, our apples

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 119

and small fruits. In the production of fruit let us briefly glance
backward over the history' of orcharding in Maine, the better to get
our bearings as to the future of this industry in our State.

IN ITS NATURAL STATE.

The orchards of Maine which primarily covered the hill-sides on
the farms of the pioneers of our State, and which now liave nearly
all passed off the stage of dut}' in producing their inferior fruit,
were raainl}- composed of trees bearing natural fruit. An orchard
engrafted to better sorts of apples was the exception and a long way
from the rule.

But the change was gradually made of grafting these natural apple
trees, which were more or less produced on the farms where set, by
fostering the chance seedlings which came up from scattered seeds
of apples brought to or produced upon the farm. This, in brief,
was the beginning, and for many years was the practice ruling in
Maine orchards.

After a while our farmers began to wake up to progressive ideas
— better fruit and more of it — as population increased and made a
demand for both. Progress has been gradual on the same line to the
present time, till now, in view of the amount of apples produced and
the low prices which have ruled for the past two years, the question
is frequently asked : Will orcharding in Maine pa}' in the future,
taking into consideration the greatl}' augmented interest shown in
this industry within the last ten j'ears all over our country?

This is the vital question which interests orchardists in Maine at
the present time. In the first place let us consider the present status
of Maine apples in relation to the markets.

PERISHABLE FALL FRUITS.

Our orchardists, as a whole, cannot count on a remunerative
market for fall fruit ; that is, as a specialty. It is true our cities
and larger villages consume large quantities of the earl}' and later
fall varieties, and farmers living near enough to market so that
transportation is not great, can find ready sales for a limited supply
of such apples. But easy and rapid transportation renders compe-
tition from apple growers in Massachusetts, New York and localities
farther south, a matter of easy accomplishment, which makes the
marketing of perishable fall fruit an unsatisfactory business as a
rule. The lesson here is obvious — curtail production in this direction.

120 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY,

Again, a study of the markets, domestic or foreign, speaking in
the broader sense as American and European, shows us that the
valuable sorts of apples called for to an extent to create anything
like fancy prices, ma}' be numbered upon the lingers — we might
almost say — of one hand. But what are the facts regarding varie-
ties in the orchards of Maine to-day?

They are producing from twenty-five to one hundred varieties of
fruit, and the mania for varieties still goes on. If the production
of such a vast number of varieties of apples has been profitable in
the past, it certainly will not be in the future ; then, grow fewer
varieties and those of long keeping, productive sorts, generally' of a
red color and of good quality as possible.

GOOD CULTURE.

Another consideration which bears a prominent part in treating
this subject is the cultivation of our orchards. In view of the com-
petition and consequent depression of prices in dairy products, aris-
ing from the bogus butters with which the country is prett}- effect-
ually greased, a prominent agriculturist said the other day, while
lecturing to Cumberland farmers, "It behooves the dair3'meu of this
country to keep better cows and take better care of them and then
by enhanced production be enabled to cheapen production, or in
other words sell more butter produced at less cost, and though sold
for a less price, realize as much or more money — because the rela-
tive cost will be less — and drive the greas}' imitations out of exis-
tence." In point of production the same rule applies to orchard-
ing.

I think most who have given thought to the subject will agree with
me, that one important thing that Maine orchardists need to give
more attention to, is better cultivation of their orchards. The
quantity of larger and smoother fruit is greatly increased b}' judi-
cious cultivation, while the quality in other ways is enhanced thereby.
Less trees and better cultivation, whereby larger returns with less
expense are obtained, mast be the watchword of the orchardist of
the future.

LESS TREES AND MORE CULTIVATION.

The rule has too long been in practice with farmers to buy and
set apple trees to the neglect of those already planted. The time
has fully come when farmers should turn their attention to better

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 121

practice in caring for the trees the}' ah-eady have, rather than in
multiplying their orchards. Said a good farmer and orchardist of Lew-
iston to us a short time ago, "Although apples are low there is more
money in raising them at Si. 50 a barrel than in raising any other
crop." "And," continued he, "if I was a .young man just starting
out on a good farm and could be assured of f 1.00 a barrel for all
the good winter apples I could raise, I would go into orcharding as
heavy as my circumstances would warrant, in preference to a gen-
eral system of farming. I would make more money out of it." He
recognized the fact that while the apple was on the increase, sys-
tematic cultivation and care in the selection of varieties and pruning
and adaptation of varieties to markets, would bring good returns
for many years to come, at least,

AN EDUCATED TASTE.

Another consideration we will mention, and one already touched
upon in the last proposition, is the quality of the fruit produced.
Our markets have become fastidious. This is so in relation to nearly
every production of the farm. The class in our cities who are satis-
fied with the rubbish and second-quality articles in the markets is
very small. The best is none too good, hence a good article is
readily taken at prices ten to twenty per cent, above inferior articles,
while the latter go begging for a market or perish on the dealer's
hands.

Markets are fastidious as regards the eye. The looks of a thing
goes a great way with a man when he buys articles for his mouth
(with one or two exceptions). Handsome fruit and all of the same
kind in a package will bring a good price in advance over equally as
good fruit mixed several varieties together. We said to a grocery-
man on Main Street in Lewistoa : "Can you sell a bushel or two of
apples, sound and nice, but several varieties mixed together?"
" Yes," said he, "we can get something for them, but they will sell
for more to sort them over and sell each kind b}' itself. Somehow,"
he added, "customers don't like the looks of a mixed-up mess of
anything, and they won't buy it readily."

MAINE FRUIT THE BEST.

And here it may be proper to remark that the Maine orchardist
enjoys peculiar climatic conditions over most other portions of the
country, enabling him to produce fruit superior, and hence appreci-

122 STATE POMOl.OGICAL SOCIETY.

ated iu market above apples from most any other part of the world.
This is true of all the fiuit grown in Maine. Her strawberries
command the respect of the Boston market-men to the degree of
two or three cents more a quart than those shipped hither from any
other quarter.

From the recent issue of a Boston paper we cut the following :
"The supply of apples is large, and though asking prices are not
materially changed, yet $1.75 per barrel is about the top price for
No. 1 Maine and New Hampshire Baldwins by the car-load. Very
few Massachusetts Baldwins are worth over $1.50, while common
grades rule much lower. Without an export trade it would seem
that the production of apples in the country was about equal to the
demand for the same. There always seems, however, to be a
healthy demand for the choice lots of apples, whatever the year may
bring forth with poorer qualities."

THE SUBSTANCE OF IT.

There is this about it, then, Maine apples are going to sell if
apples from anywhere do, and at better figures ; also, the choice lots
will always be in health}' demand whatever the state of the market
for poorer sorts.

We know a methodical orchardist who makes a specialit}' of the
Nodhead apple. We said to him a short time since, "You'll proba-
bly make your orchard net you a couple of dollars a barrel for your
Nodheads this winter?" "Oh, yes," said he, "I sold them right off
for $2.60 a barrel." Comment is unnecessary.

To sum up, then, the orchardist in Maine who conforms his prac-
tice in line with the considerations we have named, has a future
before him full of promise and hope.

IN THE LIGHT OF THE PRESENT.

In this connection let us consider the outlook for the fruit grower
from the standpoint of orchard production and prices for the same
the two past seasons. Maine has been blessed two years in suc-
cession with bountiful crops of apples. This has also been true of
the apple-bearing sections of New England and New York. Foreign
demand has been rather limited, and prices for fruit have ruled low.
Orchardists, in view of this, have argued, we think, from false
premises. They have seen in these two years' abundant crops and
low prices, the dim foreboding of over-production and its direful

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 123

consequences upon the apple interest of our State. And the evil,
apparently, is enhanced every 3ear by the continued enlargement of
orchards and setting of more apple trees.

We have said such argue from false premises. Why? In the first
place, who are the consumers of fruit, and what are the conditions
upon which our markets are based? The apple, unlike some other
commodities that enter into the domestic cuisine, is both a necessity
and a luxury. Considered in that connection, the wealthy will alv7a3-s
have it if it grows, but with the poorer class, which includes the
great mass of laborers, the apple under certain conditions comes to
them as a luxury which can be dispensed with in times when labor
is in excess of demand, and luxuries have to be relinquished.

During the last two years great depression has ruled in business.
Labor has been in excess of demand, with the consequent low price
for the same. Economy has been the watchword in the millions of
homes to the exclusion of luxuries in living, indulged in in prosperous
times when labor is all emplo^^ed at fair wages. It is not consump-
tion of the products of New England farms b}' the thousands of the
wealthy class, which gives active demand and remunerative prices
for the products of Maine orchards, or anywhere else, but the mil-
lions of mouths of the families of wage-workers which determines
the price of Maine apples at home or abroad. With the thousands
of London's laborers parading her streets and howling with the
despair of starvation, is not an augur for quick sales or remuner-
ative prices for Maine apples shipped to English markets. With
our laborers living from hand to mouth on scanty work and scantier
wages, the luxury' of a constant fruit diet gives place to the sterner
necessities of bread and clothing.

WHAT OF THE NIGHT.

The times upon which we have fallen are anomalous. Financial
depression lies upon the whole business world. America is not
alone in the low state of her business interests. The same is true
of the countries of the Old World. A reaction is coming when busi-
ness will revive, and the Maine orchardist will be happy. He can
grow the best apples in the world, and he knows it. That he will
alwajs find a market for them at remunerative prices, the horizon
of the future glows with roseate hues of promise. While the wheels
of our manufacturing interests are in motion, with their goods find-
ing their way to the homes of millions of consumers, making a

124 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

demand and a consequent call for labor to produce these goods, that
comraoditj- we call ''money" will change hands and land a fair share
in the Maine apple grower's pocket.

DISCUSSION.

After the reading of Mr. Abbott's paper a short time remained
for discussion.

Mr. Knowlton, referring to the paper of Mr. Bennoch, read at
the opening session, said : I think Mr. Bennoch meant the beetle
instead of the borer ; the mature insect instead of the larvie. In
warm, sunny days these perfect insects will come out. I speak of
this, thinking that a misapprehension might go abroad in regard to
the matter.

Mr. S. R. Sweetseh. I find a good ladder a very desirable thing
to have in the orchard. I use one with a hook on the top end, and
that ladder will stick in any tree that you can't reach from the
ground.

Mr. H. L. Leland. I do not know that I can add anything to
the remarks already made. There is one thing, however, I would
like to say, and that is, that our State is especialh' adapted to fruit
growing while some other localities are not so favorably situated.
We must have a standard apple. Man}' have tried to get one to
take the place of the Baldwin, but they haven't succeeded as yet.
I would suggest that the meetings of the Society, instead of being
held in the centre of the State, be held in other sections, that the
knowledge may be better disseminated. I would like to speak on
small fruits, because I think they teach a useful lesson to every
farmer in the State. And with a little attention every faraih' could
be supplied with fruit. Are the majority of them so supplied? I
fear not. The larger number are dependent on nature for their
small fruits. I would like to hear from Mrs. Knowlton, who can
tell us about flowers. It is just as much a part of farm life to have
flowers as to have fruit. With the cultivation of more flowers, our
lives would become more refined.

Mrs. D. H. Knowlton. I might say a word on the arrangement
of flowers for the table, as nothing so much contributes to the true
appearance of a dinner table as a vase of flowers. One pretty idea
is a hanging basket filled with flowers, suspended over the table.
We have one at home suspended from the place where the lamp

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 125

hangs in winter, the table lamp in summer not being needed. I have
seen a simple design of a saucer filled with small, choice flowers,
placed on a corner bracket, that was very prett3\

Mr. BoARDMAN. I will just say a word about flowers in the guest
chamber. Nothing is more pretty or appropriate than to place a
vase or saucer of flowers in the chamber where 3'our guest, when
you have one, is to pass the night. It is an evidence of thoughtful
appreciation, of welcome and good cheer, quite as positive and as
lasting in its effects, (showing j-our gladness at seeing your friends),
as much as it is to set a good dinner before them. The^^ speak a
welcome quite as hearty as the words, "I am glad to see you." Ar-
range a little bouquet for A'onr guest chamber, and see if it don't
bear good results.

Mr. Solon Chase. You are in one of the best apple towns in the
State, and if you come here next summer 30U will find these hills
covered with trees full of ripe and delicious fruit. In our own dis-
trict we have a 1500-barrel orchard which represents the growth of
thirty 3'ears. When I was a boy we raised apples and we began to
eat them in the blow and ate them all the rest of the time. There
is nothing so good for an apple as to eat it. We can't raise apples
enough for our own people. There is no better apple in the world
than the Baldwin, but you have to raise them in the proper localities.
With me the Northern Sp}^ is a better apple than the Baldwin.

Mr. Nelson. I can talk a great deal better in my orchard than I
can here, I have been somewhat engaged in growing Nodheacls.
There is only one trouble, it has no foreign market. The time is not
far distant when there will be an over-production of fruit. In Bos-
ton there is more demand for the Ben Davis than for any other
variety. One thought in regard to the naming of fruit, I remem-
ber some apples that I took to Brunswick which I thought were
Pippins, and when the committee reported, the}' called them Gloria
Mundi, Soon after a man came up and looked at them a moment
and exclaimed, "Those ain't Gloria Mundi, the}" are Pippins." Now
how shall I enter that apple at the next State fair — as a Gloria
Mundi, a Pippin, or as a Gloria Mundi Pippin?

Mr. Atherton. There is one question in fruit raising which I
would like to have discussed. What shall we do with our cider
apples? I had three hundred bushels this \'ear and could not sell
them at enough to pay the cost of picking and carting. My only
alternative was to feed them out or to make them into cider, I decided

126 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

to have them ground up. Now, what is the feeduig vakie of cider
apples for our stock. I do not know, as I have never tried them, but
would like for some one to tell me. Of course there is a moral side
to the question of cider making which we must take into account.

After the passage of the usual complimentary votes of thanks, the
meeting closed with singing b}^ the Turner Grange choir.

This closed one of the most successful meetings the Societ}'^ has
ever held. The town of Turner, though somewhat far from rail
communication to accommodate those who wished to attend from
other sections of the State, is yet one of the best orchard towns in
Maine, and its citizens were anxious that the meeting should be
held in their midst. The citizens of the place were A^er}' kind and
hospitable to all visitors ; and the members of Turner Grange not
only gave the free use of their hall for the meeting, but the lady
members of the Grange also provided two abundant and finely
served dinners, of which all visitors and those in attendance were
invited to partake. This gave zest and good feeling to the occasion,
and added much to the pleasure of the meeting. Although but little
opportunity was had for discussion, yet this loss was compensated
for in the number and valuable character of the papers presented.
It is to be hoped that future meetings may be equally as profitable.

miscella:n^eous papees.

FRUIT GROWING IN THE DIFFERENT COUNTIES IN MAINE.

Befoi'e writing his essay on the "Climatic Line of Fruit Culture in
Maine," which appears in this report, the author, Mr. Atherton, ad-
dressed letters of inquiry to prominent fruit growers in different
parts of the State, asking questions in regard to the varieties grown
and the success attending their culture. The answers received con-
tained much information which could not all be embodied in his
essay, and Mr. Atherton has placed these letters in my hands, be-
lieving that the}' contain matters of experience and history regard-
ing fruit culture in our State, sufficient to warrant their preservation
in the transactions of our Society. I have, accordingly-, carefully
edited these letters, and present below what seems to me to be their
most important contents. Their writers, as will be seen, are gen-
tlemen of known prominence in connection with the pomological
interests of our State, and this gives greater value to these county
reports on fruit growing.

AROOSTOOK COUNTY.

There are portions of this county that are well adapted to orchard-
ing, and other parts where apples cannot be profitably grown. I do
not extend my sales above 14 miles north of here, for this is the very
northern limit of orcharding except in some isolated spots where
there happens to be an admixture of granite, potash, etc. Some of
these detached positions are found in Mars Hill, Mapleton, Castle
Hill, Perham, and even as far north as New Sweden, where apples
may be raised in limited quantities for famil}- use, but cannot possi-
bly be made profitable.

There are places in this vicinit}' where it is almost impossible to
make an apple tree grow, then there are other localities where all

(127)

128 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

that is required is to set out the tree and it will thrive if protected
from cattle and mice ; nearly the whole town of Liuneus and Hodg-
don, with parts of Houlton, Littleton and Monticello, are of this
kind, with large portions of the county west and south of here.

There are a considerable number of natural orchards in Linneus.
Hon. P. P. Burleigh has a large one which he is grafting into the
choicest hardy sorts and some that are not very hardy, as an experi-
ment. I wish all of his townsmen were as enterprising : it would add
greatly to the wealth of the town.

As to varieties, I do not think the Baldwin can possibly be made
to grow here. I canvass as far as 75 miles south of here and there
is not a Baldwin tree as far north as that, to my knowledge, and there
have been many set out. There is in the town of Springfield, 67
miles south of me, a tree that has some Baldwin scions on it that
were sent from the Kennebec, which have borne some, but for some
cause the}' do not ripen and turn red, but look green and are insipid.
This is probably owing to our cool summers and few hot dajs. It is
out of its proper latitude ; in other words, if you could raise a Bald-
win apple tree here you could not raise a Baldwin apple upon it.

We can get along very well without the Baldwin, as we have other
apples equally as good and perfectl}^ hardy. The Wealthy has been
thoroughly tested here and found to be perfectly hardy, very thrifty
and productive, and, I think, better flavor than the Baldwin ; will
keep as long when raised here, but is not as solid in flesh. It is a
handsomer apple than the Baldwin and I do not see why it will not
sell as well.

I now and then see a Northern Spy here, but the fruit buds are
tender and winter kill so no fruit appears on the tree, in fact scarcely
a blossom.

The Rhode Island Greening, Bellflower, Bethel, Gravenstein,
Rambo, Twenty Ounce, Spitzenburgh, King of Tompkins County,
Peck's Pleasant, Walbridge, Pewaukee, and many others that do
well on the Kennebec will not stand our winters.

Our leading varieties are the Tetofsky, Red Astrachan, New
Brunswick, Duchess, Alexander, Fameuse, Wealthy, Blue Pearmain,
which after a thorough trial have proved reliable and profitable.
The following are not the leading yet are good hardy varieties : Sum-
mer Harvey, Sops of Wine, Williams' Favorite, Canada Baldwin,
Haas, Mcintosh Red and Golden Pippin; also. Bloom, Alterton,
Gideon and Magog (which are new varieties) have done well so
far.

STATE rOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 129)

The Wealth}' has done well here on nearl}' all kinds of soil and
treatment; we have not a hardier or more thrift}' tree on our list;
the Gideon does not thrive on a deep or sand}' soil. Fameuse is-
hard_y, is a garden tree, needs to be cultivated and well dressed ia
order to produce fair, nice fruit ; but after all these varieties have
been admired and commended and placed in their proper loading;
place in the list, then, standing out ahead and alone witliout a peer,
is the New Brunswick, bearing a very heavy crop ever}' year, mak-
ing the whitest and best flavored dried apple, easily cooked, withi

flesh as while as flour.

E. W. IMerritt.

Houlton.

FRANKLIN COUNTr.

There is no material difference in the climate of the settled part
of Franklin County and that of Cumberland and Kennebec. We
have more snow here and it lies on later in the spring, but the frost
is usually out of the ground when the snow is off and vegetation im-
mediately starts. Apple trees in this vicinity blossom a full week,
earlier than on some soils nearer the coast — say on Walnut Hill^
where I have particularly noticed it. Some late-growing varieties, as
the Spy, attain their growth a little earlier near the coast, as in the
more southern portion of the State, than here, I have noticed. All
varieties that will mature in any part of Maine will mature in Frank-
lin, as far as climatic influences are concerned.

The Baldwin grows in great perfection in this part of the county
if put upon high land, and it succeeds well in Kingfield, Phillips,
and fairly well in Madrid. In the Dead River Valley and the Lake
regions apple raising is in much the same condition it was here fifty
years ago, nearly all natural fruit which produces fairly well, but I
doubt if any but the most hardy varieties could be grafted into those
regions with much prospect of success.

If you wish to set definite bounds of the northern limit of culture,^
I should say a line drawn somewhat south of Mts. Abraham, Bige-
low and Saddleback. The leading apple in this county is the Bald-
win. The leading varieties are Baldwin, Northern Spy, Rhode
Island Greening, Fameuse and Talman Sweet, for winter apples,
and almost all the kinds you ever heard of for summer and fall use
— but it is not profitable to raise the latter here, except what are re-
quired for family use.
9

130 STATE P03IOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

I will say the Roxlmr}' Russet does not succeed well with me, and
it is the general complaint ; but I think owin<^ more to the soil than
the climate. I esteem high, granite land the best orchard land in
this county, particulaily for the Baldwin, and the thicker the boulders
upon it, the better the tree will thrive. The next best is the schis-
tose soil. You will remember that is the kind upon which my orchard
stands. I have given my Roxbur3' Russets the best of care, but my
Baldwins out-bear them ten to one, and I am satisfied that my soil
is no place for them and shall graft a part of them to Baldwins next
spring. Franklin Count}- apples have the reputation in the markets
of being of fine flavor, well colored and late keepers, and most of

our winter varieties attain a large size.

S. R. Lelanu.

Mt. Bahhvin Farm, Farmington.

HANCOCK COUNTY.

Fruit culture is not pursued in Hancock County on such a scale
.as in Kennebec or any part west of the Penobscot River. Occasion-
ally the crop of apples is insuflScient for home cowsumption, and
winter varieties are brought from Boston, but generally there is a
small surplus for export. Orchardists do not appear to have studied
the market much, and the list of varieties raised, though a long one,
consists largely of varieties little known abroad.

I think there are more Baldwins raised In this vicinity than any
other sort ; though just across the river to the westward Bare-Limbed
Greening takes the lead. The Baldwin is not, however, so well suited
to the climate as to that of Kennebec, and does not attain such per-
fection. The tree ap[)ears in general hardy enough.

In the old orchards you will find the Yellow Bellflower, Kilhara
Hill, Nodhead, Blue Pearmaln, Mathew Stripe (or Martha Stripe),
a very sour winter apple; an old-fashioned russet, something like
Roxbury, Hunt Russet, Stone Svveet (a hard winter sort). Queen's
Pocket (winter), Lyscom (September; also known as Mathew, or
Martha Stripe), Hightop Sweet, Williams' Favorite, Golden Russet
(early), Leland's Golden Pippin, Bell's Early, and a long list of ob-
scure sorts, mostly unnamed.

In the younger orchards are Wagner, Northern Spv, King, Golden
Russet of Western New York, Red Astrachan, Duchess, Graven-
stein, Fameuse, Ben Davis, etc. First four appear to give satisfac-
tion ; also, Fameuse and Gravensteln. King Is praised by growers ;

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 131

Wagner also. Ben Davis is condemned. My own observation war-
rants a high place for Hunt Russet and Golden Russet ; both exceed-
ingl}' productive, and of good flavor, and good keepers. Black
Oxford is praised, but not much raised. I speak only for Bucksport
and other towns adjoining, on the river about its mouth. In the in-
terior of the county they might tell a different story.

We have a great deal of fogg}' weatlier here, being just at the
head of Penobscot Baj" ; and often cool and damp here when dry
and warm in Kennebec. I think the weather affects the quality of
the fruit. Flavors are not so sharp as with you. Hunt Russet on
my farm in Manchester is more acid than I like to eat ; here, just
right. Northern Spy is insipid compared with those grown in Man-
chester. Bellflower and most others not so good. Colors also less
bright here, generally. As to form, I have observed no difference.

Chas. G. Atkins.
Bucksport.

KENNEBEC COUNTY,

The trees in my Greening orchard came from New York. The
distance apart is 24 by 24 feet, but they ought to have been 30 feet,
as the branches nearly touch now. I am quite sure it was seventeen
years last spring that they were set. The land, previous to setting
the trees, had been in pasture a great man}- years, and several inches
of the surface soil was made land from the wash of the road above,
which added very much to the fertility of the land. For several years
after setting the trees I cultivated the laud, planting with potatoes
and beans. It was then seeded to grass. I have mowed the grass
each year and put it around the trees ; in addition to this I have used
a good amount of swale grass with which to mulch the trees ; but
the last few years I have manured it in alternate years, spreading it
evenly over the whole surface.

A large part of the land where ray old orchard was set was made
land, washed from the Seminar^' hill above (in some places ten inches
deep), and I find it has the staying qualities in it. On all of my
orchards the land was ston}' and rather moist, but not wet.

From the experience I have had in orcharding, I am fully con-
vinced if we wish to raise large crops of fair fruit we must keep up
the fertility of our orchards, so that the trees will make a good
growth and bear a good crop of apples at the same time.

J. W. Smiley.
Vassalboro\

132 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

LIXCOLN COUNTY.

Apples, pears, plums and grapes can be successfully grown in
every town in Lincoln County. The Baldwin is the leading apple
grown. The leading varieties of apples are Red Astrachan, Early
Harvest, Bell's Early, Duchess of Oldenburgh, Fameuse, Graven-
stein, Porter, Orange Sweet, Winthrop Greening, Jewett's Fine Red,
Somerset, Hurlburt, Talraan Sweel, Granite Beauty, Foundling,
Baldwin, Rhode Island Greening, Yellow Bellflower, Northern Spy,
Golden Russet, Hunt Russet, English Russet, Fall Pippin, King of
Tompkins, Wagener, Ben Davis and many others.

The apples and other fruit grown in the seaboard towns are much
smaller in size, and more backward in season, than fruit grown in
the interior of the State, therefore would not command as good a
price in Boston market ; yet fruit can be successfully and profitably
raised in this county. The soil is well adapted to fruit raising, and
the climate does not injure our trees, as the tenderest varieties are
perfectly hardy. I propagated more than one hundred varieties of
apples, and I have not lost a tree, after it had started one year, for
ten years. Some ten years ago I lost half a dozen nice trees one
winter ; since that time I have not had a tree winter killed. The
orchards that are situated on high land inclining east or south have
done the best. The cold, damp winds and fogs from the ocean, dur-
ing the summer months, is the reason our fruit does not attain the
size of the fruit grown in Kennebec and Androscoggin counties ; but
^e can enrich our orchards with sea manures, such as rockweed, sea-
weed, mussels, kelp, etc., at a less expense than can the farmers of
the inland towns, and trees mulched with sea dressing are not
troubled with borers. For the past three years there have not been
but two borers discovered in my orchard.

H. J. A. Simmons.
Waldoboro'.

OXFORD COUNTY.

I think the leading apple for Oxford County is the Baldwin. The
leading varieties would be named in this order : Baldwin and Rhode
Island Greening for winter ; and Snow, Gravenstein and Hubbards-
ton Nonsuch for fall. Fruit can be successful!}' grown as far north
as Bethel and Andover, and finally, in fact, almost anywhere in Ox-

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 133

fovd Count}'. Other fruits, like pears, plums and grapes, are grown,

but I think pears are not a success with us. Climate has no ill

effect on fruit growing here. Our soils in this count}' are mostly

gravelly loam and what would be called rough, rocky, uneven land.

It is natural fruit land ; still we need fertilization, and have got to

have it in order to get the best results from the orchard. We have

here, as everywhere else in Maine, too many varieties, and man}'

orchardists are now grafting over into Baldwins.

C. H. George.
Hebron.

I have over seventy different kinds of apples, but the McLellan
stands at the head, as far as beauty and profit are concerned. The
trees are very hardy, good growers, form a very handsome top, bear
abundant crops of smooth, sizeable, handsome apples, free from
black blotches and other defects that damage the apple crop. I have
an orchard set nine years ago last fall, in which there are forty-five
McLellans. Last fall I gathered from those trees seventy barrels of
nice apples. The orchard was set on new ground, which is a rocky
side hill, cants to the southeast, and has been pastured with sheep
ever since they were set. I do not know their origin, but had the
scions of Thomas Wright of Strong, eighteen or twenty years ago,
for Nodlieads. I have had them on exhibition at the fairs for sev-
eral years. They always attract considerable attention, and I haA'e
never seen them exhibited by any one else.

The Baldwin is the leading apple here and succeeds well on high
land, but often fails on low or river land. The common varieties of
apples can be grown successfully as far north as the towns of Weld,
Temple, Phillips, but fail to do well farther north, though some of
the iron-clad varieties have been grown with fair success at Range-
ley, which is about forty miles farther north. We succeed in grow-
ing pears, plums, cherries, grapes, and the various kinds of small
fruits, though they do not do as well here as they do farther south.
I think climate affects our fruit crop more than the soil, though the
climate is as uneven as our section of country is ; the temperature
varies from ten to twenty degrees within a few miles. Orchards do
best that are well elevated, much better than on low land.

J. J. TOWLE.

South Carthage.

134 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

PEXOBSCOT COUNTY.

Here in Bangor, although tlie grafting of thrift}' young trees at
the ground with Baldwins or Roxbury Russets often results in win-
ter killing the first winter, yet grafting in the limbs proves a perfect
success, and I shall re-graft man}- of my early apples to Baldwins
and Northern Spies.

As to the northerly limit of the Baldwins, fair specimens of that
and the Greening are raised in the northerly tier of towns in this
county — twenty miles north of this cit}' — viz : Bradford, Charleston,
Garland and Dexter. Crossing the count}' line to Sangerville and
Dover, Baldwins are still found in limited numbers, and extend to
Foxcroft, the I'esidence of our venerable and successful pomologist,
Calvin Chamberlain, Esq., who speaks of the Baldwin in his local-
it}- as being more suitable for cooking than eating, which statement
can be fully appreciated l\v comparing one of these with one raised
in the southerly part of the vState.

As to the other standard varieties, I cannot think of any in the
Society list, but are raised in towns north of Bangor — the Hub-
bardston Nonesuch even being raised b}- Mr. Chamberlain for a
leading variety. Several orchardists agree with me in the order
named : Baldwin, Rhode Island Greening, Yellow Bellflower, Duch-
ess, Red Astrachan and Talman Sweet; also many Northern Spies,
Porters, Pearmains, Gravensteins and King Sweets.

The other fruits beside apples are standard pears of the best
varieties, the number increasing 3'earl3' ; plums and cherries, the
latter largely reduced by black knot. Many young plums are set
annuall}', also strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, grapes and
currants. The old bushes of the last named have been largely des-
troyed b}' the currant worm and neglect of cultivation.

In answering the question, "Does climate or soil affect our fruit
most?" I will say that although fruit in our count}' is no excep-
tion to the general law of combined influences produced by both
climate and soil, and notwithstanding our variety of soils, compris-
ing gravelly, sandy, loamy and clayey, the soils are generally adapted
to our varieties of fruits ; and my opinion is that the effects of
climate predominate over those of soil in its influence on fruit in our
county. As to what determines varieties, climate or soil, the supe-
rior quality of the Roxbury Russet grown in the vicinit}- of Mon-

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETT. 135

mouth, where the soil abounds in iron, and the superiority of a
Yellow Bellflower, Northern Sp3' or Nodhead raised in deep, rich
soil, as compared with those varieties raised on a thin, poor one, are
familiar illustrations of the influence of soil on varieties. The fine
flavor of a Baldwin or Spitzenburgh grown in Western New York,
as compared with that of the same varieties grown in their northern
limit in Maine, as also the change of early or fall apples into winter,
and vice versa, as shown in different latitudes, afford proof of the
still stronger influence of climate, so that in view of the above facts,
I conclude that varieties are influenced by both climate and soil.

Samuel C. Haulow.
Ba7igor.

PISCATAQUIS COUNTY.

The Rolfe apple is a fall apple and will not keep and hold its fla-
vor later than Januar}-. It is a superior apple and leads all other
varieties in its season in Piscataquis County. Tree hard}- and a good
bearer. The northern limit of successful apple culture in Piscata-
quis is the boundary of the "forest primeval." A tract extend-
ing along the line of the Piscataquis River eight or ten miles in width
includes nearly all the cleared land, and these hill lands are good
orchard lauds. The number of varieties are almost unlimited. The
most valuable varieties include Astrachan, Hightop Sweet and Duch-
ess for early use. For fall — St. Lawrence, Rolfe, Winthrop Green-
ing. Early winter — Fameuse, Nodhead. Winter — Hurlburt, Hub-
bardston Nonsuch. Late winter and spring — Rliode Island Green-
ing, English (Poughkeepsie) Russet, Tahnan Sweet, Black Oxford.
The Baldwin is grown but is not reliable ; tree not quite hardy, and
fruit does not fully mature.

There is not much done in growing pears or plums, partly through
indifference and more largely from the fact that plums and cherries
are injured by the black knot. Grapes are grown but are uncertain
to mature.

H. L. Leland.

East Sangerville.

You ask of the possibilities of fruit culture in Piscataquis County.
When we consider, as we must, that Maine is a State of " magnifi-
cent distances," and that Piscataquis, although not the largest of
her counties, is three times as large as the State of Rhode Island,

136 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETT.

oue-tbiicl larger than Dflaware, and two-thirds as large as Con-
necticut ; that it lies wholly north of latitude forty-five degrees, and
stretches away its sixteen townships in length by seven in breadth,
to the northward more than a degree and a half, we must realize
that it is prett}- well up in the "■ cold north," although the territorial
centre of the State falls witliin the township of Bowerbank in this
county, and Lake Sebec occupies its almost exact geographical centre.
But as only an average of the first four southmost ranges of town-
ships are settled, that territory' is usually understood to be " the
county" when treating of this subject. We are north of all the
settlements of Oxford and Franklin, and of the larger part of those
of Somerset.

I regard the northern limit of the sureh' successful cuhivation of
the Baldwin apple to be the very high range of hills running east-
erly and westerly through the towns of Charleston, Garland and
Dexter, and being very nearlj' the southern boundary' of this county.
Baldwin apples are, however, grown on high ridges b}"^ grafting in
the limbs in this count}'. I own an old orchard on a high ridge back
of this village, that contains some old trees grafted to Baldwins and
other kinds, I believe, by that veteran orchardist, Calvin Chamber-
lain, Esq., probably between thirty and forty years ago. The}' are,
of course, now going to decay, as are tlie others ; but still yield the
Baldwin for family use. Some of these we have kept until the
Fourth of July.

The ordinary varieties of apples (except the ver\' tenderest) are
successfully grown in the settled portions of the count}', and I
know no reason why Dr. Hoskins' list for the north could not be
grown an}' where in the northern portion.

H. A. Robinson.

Foxcroft.

All of Piscataquis County lies north of forty-five degrees parallel
of latitude, with possibly a part of the town of Wellington excepted.
Prof. M. C. Fernald, with some students, made an observation at
this village some years ago, but I do not remember the odd minutes
as they found ; but if you wish for exactness, probably Prof. F.
can give it. If you should be looking for altitude as bearing upon
fruits I can give you, as shown in the survey of the R. R. crossing
my place, the most of my orchard and garden as very nearly four
iiundred feet above the tide at Bangor. I am forty rods from Piscata-

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 137

quis River and about fift}' feet above it. Departing from the river
on either hand, many of the best apple orchards are found from two
to four miles awa}^ and two to four hundred feet of altitude above.

Several of your questions ma}' be found answered directly or
otherwise in what I may say from observation concerning the Bald-
win apple. I know of no apple so changed and so variable through
conditions apparent or not, as this. This fact has all the way been
so observable that many people now believe that there are several
distinct Baldwins — a family of them — and are spoken as the red or
the yellow. It is grown in small quantity here but can hardly be
called successfully. More than thirty years ago a friend in Med-
ford, Mass., knowing my then zeal in obtaining good fruit, sent me
a barrel of Baldwin apples to show that he had a tree producing the
best fruit known under that name. I went to that tree for the pur-
pose of taking scions, and found it standing on the outer edge of an
embankment of the old Middlesex canal — then abandoned and the
water withdrawn. I saw that its superior location could fully ac-
count for its reputation. The drainage was perfect. The old surface
soil long covered b}' the mixed earth of the embankment, all together
within easy reach and bearing very little of other vegetation, pre-
sented plant food in excess of demand. I took scions and set them
in my nurser\'. Near that time, Mr. S. L. Goodale made his first
visit to my place and there made the remark, in his forcible manner,
that I had the best soil for a nursery he had ever seen. Now for
results. My nursery had the best of care, but not a Baldwin ever
came to condition to be placed in the orchard.

Large numbers of well-grown Baldwin trees were brought here
from Massachusetts and other States many j^ears ago and they very
rarely lived to produce fruit. Some trees in the older orchards upon
the hills have had their tops changed to Baldwins — I have done
some of it myself — and some of these still live, but yield a fruit that
would be passed as inferior at Hallowell. I consider this variety to
be estopped by climatic influences alone, at or a little below the 45
degrees of latitude. Climate undoubtedly here affects fruit much
more than soil. Unfavorable soil maj' be considered as confined to
the narrow limits of stiff cla}'.

You ask for our leading varieties. I cannot answer. We have
people here who are able to exhibit thirt}' or fort}- varieties from a
not very large orchard. I could do it myself. The late tendency
is towards the introduction of the claimed '■'iron-clads" or extra

138 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETT.

hardy trees. This course is adding several new varieties, to which I
have given little attention. I am often in the way of seeing our
apples as the}' circulate in the home market through the village
groceries, where the old varieties are not crowded out. The Hub-
bardston Nonsuch, Jewett's Red (Nodhead), Blue Peannain, Black
Oxford, the Greenings, E^nglish Russet, Red Canada, Yellow Bell-
flower, Northern Spy, &c. In late fall and early winter, the Rolfe
is seen on the increase. I have lately seen some good Tompkins
County King. The Fameuse is on the increase and deservedl}' so,
as they continue with me in fine condition to the present writing.

The every-day inquiry is for a good winter apple for market. We
have so many kinds, and consequently produce so few of any one,
that it is not easy to gather in a single, uniform carload for a distant
market. This state of things does not promise to be soon improved.

I think it is generally conceded that an apple grown near its
northern thermal limit is at its best in quality as well as its keeping
habit; but this thermal line or boundary to a fruit is not usualh'
found in narrow, well defined limits, and has no respect for lines of
latitude. It is a good thing to talk about, but, like the rainbow,
distant neighbors don't see one and the same thing.

For summer apples Red Astrachan and Duchess are most grown.
Duchess trees have been set in too great numbers, producing as it
does with certainty such enormous crops. The last crop in and near
this village could not all be sold and used. If picked before ready
to fall and put in the cellar, its season for use can be extended two
months or more. The Red Astrachan appears to be a general
favorite over a large portion of our country. I sjDent the months of
July and August, 1884, between the valley of the upper Mississippi
and Massachusetts and passed over much of the intervening country
at the season of early apples, and saw verv few beside the Astrachan.

In answer to your question, ''What other fruits do you raise?" I
can say that pears succeed as well as apples, and an increasing in-
terest is seen in their production. One variety — the good old
Flemish Beauty — does better here than with you. Our last crop was
abundant and very fair. We were once well stocked with plums and
cherries ; then a change came and the trees went out with the black
knot. Some recent attempts, rather timidly made, towards a restora-
tion go to prove the presence of the same old scourge. Most of the
small fruits succeed as well here as anywhere in the State, with per-
haps the single exception of grapes. The success of this desirable

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 139

fruit, more than with others, is weakened with each mile added to its
removed distance from its sunny habitat.

With some fair crops man}' 3ears ago we were encouraged to con-
tinue the trial of new varieties, till my list exceeded thirty ; and my
neighbor, Dr Robinson, has gone to a much higher figure, — being a
3-ounger man with a younger enthusiasm. Though but half a mile
distant, his location proves less favorable, he having repeatedlv been
hit by spring and autumn frosts from which my place has been ex-
empt. From his experiment station he can beat me when we report

failures.

Calvin Chamberlain.

Foxcroft.

WASHINGTOX COUNTY.

The Baldwin is grown here to only a very limited extent. Some
orchardists do not grow it at all ; others have from one to six trees.
Some say that it is a good bearer, but my experience is that 3'oung
trees, at least, are very thin bearers, probably' by reason of the buds
being winter killed. There is no leading apple in the sense that
the Baldwin is the leading apple in your section. There is more,
probablv, of the Allen (whicli I think probably is a synonym of
Golden Pippin) grown here than of any other one variety. Also, for
early apples, a good man}' Red Astrachan, Duchess of Oldenburgh
or New Brunswicker, and some Alexander. As leading varieties, I
might add Harve}' Sweet (probably this is what is described in the
books as Sweet Harvey), Yellow Bellflower, Fameuse and Ben Davis.
Such kinds as Hubbardston Nonsuch, Colvert, Wealth}-, Scott's
Winter, Magog Redstreak, Talman Sweet, Northern Spy, Oxford
Russet and many other kinds flourish here ; but such as Williams'
Favorite, King Sweeting, Primate, King of Tompkins County,
Porter, etc., are rather tender.

Several varieties of pears appear to be hardy here, but all or nearly
all are tardy bearers. There are, as you must be aware, varieties of
fruit which require particular soils, and others which require a mild
climate ; so I can give no general answer to this question. I think
climate affects the quality of fruit more than it does the form or color.
I have seen favorable seasons when the Ben Davis was a good apple,
but it is usually poor, though good looking. Several varieties of
apples are better on dry soils than on wet.

140 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

The questions I would ask are in regard to sweet apples. King
Sweeting is with me good enough in qualit}', for a very short time,
but bears only every other year, and is rather tender. Early Sweet
Bough is good, but not a heavy bearer. St. Johnsbury Sweet not
quite as good and a poor keeper. Garden Royal might pass for a
sweet apple, but is not a constant bearer. Talman is fairly pro-
ductive and a good keeper, but requires to be baked before it has a
good flavor. Have not yet myself tried the Harvey Sweet, but in-
tend to do so and hope to find that one a good sort. Do you know
of any earlier and later sorts which are of good quality to eat raw
and good bearers? I would be glad to have some one answer these
questions.

I came near forgetting to answer one of your questions. You
ask me how far north of here our leading apples grow. Sixteen
3'ears ago I grafted some trees seen along the road to Presque Isle.
I have not been there since, nor have I heard from man}' of them.
I have, however, learned that they have fruited at Presque Isle and
have kept till June, but are too tender to be of much account. I
saw some very nice ones at Calais, said to have come from Houlton
— too ripe to keep longer than an early winter apple, which is about
what they have, averaging in keeping qualities till about March.

Henry A. Sprague.
Charlotte.

YOEK COUNTY.

My knowledge is confined to a few of the northern towns of this
county ; but, as these are all well adapted to fruit culture, what I ma}'
sa3' may perhaps apph' to the county as a whole. In answer to
3"Our first question : "What is the leading apple grown in 3'our
county?" I would sa}^ the Baldwin is a long way ahead, and is
gaining in popularity, on account of its excellent qualities as a ship-
ping apple. Shippers prefer it to any other. It is also as produc-
tive as any and more so than many kinds. Other profitable and
leading varieties are Sweet Bough, Red Astrachan, Williams, Porter,
Nodhead, Pound Sweet, Hubbardston Nonsuch, Rhode Island
Greening and Roxbury Russet. Many other kinds are raised and
have more or less of merit, as Cole's Quince, Golden Sweet, Graven-
stein, Mother, Benoni, Foundling, Talman Sweet, Duchess of Olden-
burgh, Snow, King and Golden Russet. Many new varieties are
being palmed off' on the farmers by tree agents, they claiming great

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 141

things for them which are not realized when they come to bear.
There is no limit, on account of cold, to fruit culture in this county.
Unsuitable soil, in certain sections, is the only hindrance that I
know of. A good many apple trees are being set ever\- 3-ear and
the quantity of apples shipped from this section is rapidly increas-
ing. Query — Shall we overdo the business ?

Some ten years ago or more, many pear trees were set which
grew so thriftily that hopes were entertained that they might be
made profitable and consequently large orchards of them were set
in the town of Newfield. These trees flourished well for a while
and began to bear some, when the blight began to appear, which has
blasted the hopes which were raised. Grapes are grown to quite an
extent at Newfield. Plums are being planted considerably and of
late years have not been affected with black knot so much as form-
erl}'. Most of the small fruits do well, but are not grown to any
great extent.

F. B. GUPTILL.

Cornish.

THE McLELLAX APPLE.
By Dr. T. H. Hoskins.
The McLellan apple was highl}' recommended to us, some eighteen
j-ears ago, by Dr. E. C. Worcester of Thetford, Vt. The tree is a
good grower and pretty hard}', yet not sufficiently so for our exposed
locality. Wherever the Westfield Seek-no-Further will succeed, the
McLellan may be planted. The origin of this variety was in "Wood-
stock, Conn. The tree is a fine, upright grower, and makes an ex-
cellent and healthy orchai'd tree. The 3'oung shoots are of a dull,
reddish-brown color, and slightly downy. The fruit is medium, or
above, in size, roundish, very regular and fair, color yellow, with a
good deal of red in stripes and splashes. Stalk short, in a deep
cavity. Basin shallow, with a small, partly- closed calyx. Flesh
white, tender, vinous, juicy, very good to best. The McLellan can
be grown considerably north of the Baldwin line, and is an excellent
keeper. As it is a heavy annual bearer, it needs good land and
liberal manuring, but it pays well for it.

142 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

A CHOICE OF APPLES.

Bj' Charles Downing.

Apples are the most valuable of fruits, and the varieties named

below are all good for family use. A tree or two of each kind, well

cared for, will give a supply from July to June, and a month or two

longer with a little extra pains :

1 Early Harvest, 12 Rhode Island Greening,

2 Red Astrachan, 13 Melon,

3 Fanny, 1-1 Sutton Beauty,

4 Primate, 15 Baldwin,

5 Jersey Sweet, IG Grimes' Golden Pippin,

6 Porter, 17 Jonathan,

7 Peach- Pond Sweet, 18 Northern Sp}',

8 Fall Pippin, 19 Newton Pippin,

9 Mother, 20 Lady's Sweet,

10 Hubbardston Nonsuch, 21 Red Russet.

11 Bleheini Pippin,

For those who raise especially for market, varieties should be se-
lected that succeed best in the locality, which may be ascertained by
inquirj' of those who make orcharding a business and know the kinds
most in demand in the markets they supply. Experienced growers
for market say that a few sorts rather than many give the most profit.
For small gardens a few varieties grown as dwarfs on the paradise
stock will supph' a moderate faraih^ during the summer and autumn,
for culinarj- uses and eating ; Nos. 1, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are good va-
rieties for this purpose. Winter apples can generally be purchased
more readil}' than sumer and fall kinds.

PLANTING APPLE TREES IN THE COLD NORTH.

From a lengthy paper read before the Ontario Fruit Growers'
Association, b3- A. A. "Wright, of Renfrew, the following paragraphs
are taken, as bringing out a peculiarit}' of planting. The reader
will readil3' see what kind of soil he has to deal with :

Doubtless it ma}- be considered useless to tell an}- one that it is
unwise to plant even a single tree, much less a large number, until
the ground has been thoroughly? drained and properly prepared for
their reception.

STATE P03IOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 143

A few words as to the best method of preparing the soil might not
be out of place here, nor unacceptable to the beginner. So far as
my own experience goes I have found the best results by first plow-
ing the land- up into ridges, so that the center of the ridge shall
occupy the place where the trees are to stand. Then plough the
land again in a cross direction, thus dividing it into squares, in
such a manner that tlie center of each square will mark the place
for planting the tree. A series of high l\nolls will thus be formed
so that if the work be well done the land will be quite effectively
surface-drained at least.

It is b3' no means objectionable to proceed in this wa^' on any kind
of soil ; but it is absolutely necessary that it should be effectually
done on anything approaching to a heavy cla}'.

Your knolls having been thus formed sufficiently high, prepara-
tions should be made to prevent the roots of the tree from going
too deep into the ground, otherwise when the heaving of the ground,
■which the frost invariabl3' causes, takes place, the descending roots
will be torn asunder, whilst those which find a place near the surface
and spread themselves out sideways from the tree will largeU' escape
injmy.

To prevent this downward tendency of the roots, the Jesuits and
the original French settlers on the island of Montreal invariably
placed a large flat limestone under each tree, and this was found to
accomplish the desired object as the roots could not, of course, pene-
trate tlie stone, and on reaching it would turn outwards and grow in
a lateral direction from the tree.

But these large masses of stone are not always available in every
locality-, and even when the}- are, the}' are cumbersome and heavy
to handle.

The following has, however, been found an excellent and effectual
substitute : Take the trunk of a pine tree, say about two and a
half or three feet in diameter, and from this saw off blocks from
three to four inches in thickness, placing them so that there will be
one about eighteen inches deep under each tree when planted.

These are easilj' procured, readil}' handled, and appear to answer
the purpose for which the}' are made, quite as well as the stone ; the
pine wood when placed under the gound and away from the action
of the air enduring a long time, and is quite effectual in giving the
desired direction to the roots of the trees.

THE FKUIT CATALOGUE.

It has been ten years since the Fruit Catalogue of the Society has
appeared in the annual report, the last revision having been made at
the Winter Meeting of the Society held in February, 1886. The
original list was modeled with much care, and its preparation in-
volved a good deal of work. But however correct and good a guide
a list of fruit might have been for 1876, the same becomes somewhat
obsolete for 1886, as relates to the small fruits, especially the whole
list of berries. The Executive Committee of the Society felt that it
was time to have the list again appear in our Transactions. Even if it
was published in the form of its last revision, it would serve to bring
it to the attention of our members and lead to its ultimate perfection.
As there was no opportunity to revise the list at the time of the meet-
ing at Turner, the Executive Committee decided to allow the Secre-
tary to send proofs of the Catalogue to the members of the Fruit
Committee and leading growers in the several counties, for corrections,
such corrections to be embodied in the list. This has been done and
the few changes that appear are the result of this action of the Com-
mittee. In general there have been few changes in the list of apples,
the chief revisions occuring in those divisions relating to the small
fruits. Under this action the Secretaty, and not the Society, is re-
sponsible for the changes. The list will be found to be somewhat
modernized by this course, while its authority, in the main, has not
been lessened. Its publication now, after an interval of ten years,
will at least direct attention to whatever errors it may contain, and
to have these errors pointed out and corrected is one object in pub-
lishing the Catalogue. Corrections to it are invited from all fruit
growers in the State.

(144)

Catalogue of Fruits for the State of Maine.

Plan of the Catalogue.

The names of varieties are given according to the nomenclature
adopted b}' the Societ3-, which is substantially that of "Downing's
Fruits and Fruit Trees of America." A few leading synonjms are
given, and these are placed in italics immediatelj' under the name
adopted bj the Society.

The State is divided into three divisions, designated as the
Northern, Central and Southern divisions.

Tlie Northern Division embraces Northern Oxford, Franklin,
Northern Somerset, Piscataquis, Penobscot and Aroostook counties.

The Central Division embraces Southern Oxford, Southern Som-
set, with Androscoggin, Kennebec, Waldo, Hancock and Washington
counties.

The Southern Division embraces Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln,
Knox and York counties.

The explanation of the abbreviations and signs used in the several
tabular columns is prefixed to the list of varieties in each of the
respective classes of fruits.

Cultivators are requested to note carefully any errors which may
be found in the catalogue, or an}' well-founded opinions derived from
their observation and experience differing from the conclusions
therein indicated, in order to report tlie same at future meetings of
the Societ\', with the view to make the catalogue as nearly perfect
as possible.

I— APPLES.

Explanation of Abbreviations and Signs.

In the column of "Size" 1. stands for Jarge; m. for medium, and s. for small. In
the column of "Quality" b. signifies best; v. g., very good; g , good, and p., poor.
In the column of "Use" C. stands for cooking; F., family use — cooking, baking, etc ;
D., dessert, and M., market. In the column of "Season" S. signifies summer; E. A,,
early autumn; A., autumn; L. A., late autumn ; EVV., early winter; \V., winter, and
8p., spring. In the columns devoted to the several divisions, h r signifies highly
recommended; r., recommended; t, not recommended; ?, introduced but not fully and
extensively tested ; blank, nothing reliable known of the variety in the division under
which such blank is found.

It should be borne in mind that any recommendation is for the special use designated
in the column of "Use."

10 (145)

146

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

CATALOGUE

4

6

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17
18
19
20

21
22
23

24
25

26

Alexander

American Sammer Pearmain .

American Golden Russet
Golden Rtisnet.

American Golden Pippin

Baldwin

Beauty of Kent

Benoni

Black Oxford

Blue Pearmain

Brigg's Auburn

Canada Reinette

Cole's Quince

Congress

Danvers Winter Sweet .. .

Dean

Nine Ounce.

Duchess of Oldenburg

Early Harvest . . . .
Early Strawberry ,
Early Pennock . ..

English Sweet ,

Ramsdell'g Red Sweet,

Esopns Spitzenburg ,
English Russet

English Russet

Jfoughkeepsie Russet.

Famense .

Fall Harvey ,
Harvey.

Fall Pippin .

Season.

1.

P-

c.

A.

m.

b.

D.

E. W.

8.

b.

D.

E. W.

m.

v-g.

W.

m.

g-

M.

W.

1.

P-

M.

W.

8.

T-g.

D.

E. A.

S.

g-

L. W.

1.

g-

M.

W.

1.

V.g.

D.

A.

1.

v.g.

M.

W.

I.

b.

D.

E. A.

1.

g-

M.

A.

m.

g-

F.

L. W.

m.

b.

D. C.

A.

I.

P-

C.

A.

m.

v.g.

D, C.

S.

8.

v-g-

D.

S.

m.

b.

D.

A.

m.

v.g.

M.

E. W.

m.

v.g-

M.

W.

m.

g-

M.

W.

8.

v.g.

M.

Sp.

B.

b.

D. M.

E. W.

1.

g.

M.

L. A.

1.

v.g.

M.

B. W.

h. r.

h. r.
h. r.

h. r.

h. r.

t

h. r.
r.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

U7

OF APPLES.

ua

h. r.
?

?

h. r.
?
r.

r.

r.

r.

t

r-

r.

1, _

r-

REMARKS.

Hardy, productive, and showy. Succeeds well in high latitudes.

Not extensively grown. Limited trial proves well. In Kenne-
bec reported a good bearer.

Excellent dessert apple. Prolific. Several varieties are errone-
ously grown under this name.

An old variety. Never extensively tried in this State.

Hardy — Should be planted on well-drained land.

Highly recommended by many.

Hardy and productive — inclined to overbear. Not good for cook-
ing, hence not popular in market.
Reported by some to succeed well in Northern Division.

A native of Androscoggin County. Popular whenever tried.

Hardy. Succeeds well where tried in Aroostook County.

Two varieties are grown in Maine under this name.

A late keeping sweet apple — not very popular. Has been gen-
erally superseded by other varieties.
A popular apple wherever known. Productive.

Hardy in Northern Division. For extreme north cannot be too
highly commended. Claimed by some to be a distinct varie-
ty— a seedling of Duchess of Oldenburg.

Under good cuhiTation one of the most desirable early apples.
Quite tart unless fully ripe.

One of the most popular in market where known, as a dessert

apple. Good bearer.
Popular in some sections. Not extensively tested in Maine. —

Recommended by those who have tried it.

Excellent, but not productive enough to be recommended. Ex-
tensively tried, yet not popular when profit is the test.

This is not the English Rus.set of the books. Grood grower —
productive. Quality hardly "good."

A valuable late keeper. Not so largo as Roxbury Russet, but
succeeds on soils where that fails.

Very hardy. When well grown, one of the best selling apples

raised.
Supposed to be Identical with Harvey. A fine fruit. Succeeds

well in Northern Oxford and in Franklin.

148

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETT.

CATALOGUE OF

a

NAMES.

to

>>

3

a

o

o
CO

!2;o

77

1.

m.
1.
s.
1.
1.

m. to 1.
1.

8.

m.
m.
m.

8.

m.
m.
m.
I.
m.
1.

1.
m.
m.
1.
m.
m.
m.

g-

b.
b.

v-g-
g-

b.

▼•g-

b.

b.
v-g-

b.

v.g.
V g-

g-

b.

b.

g-

g-

g
v.g-
▼•g-
▼g-

b.

g-
g-

M.
D.
F.

D.
D. M.

C. M.

D. M.
M.
F.
F.

F. M.
M.
D.

D.
D.
M.
M.
F.
M.

M.
M.

D. M.
M.

C. T).
D.
M.

D. M.

A.
A.
A.
A.
A.
E. W.

A.

W.

A.

W.
E. W.

W.
L. A.

A.
W.
W.

w.

s.
s.

w.

A.

W.

W.
E. A,
E. W.

W.

h. r.

?R

?9

HO

HI

32

Golden Ball

t
h. r.

84

35

86

Hightop Sweet

r.

87

h. r.

8R

Hurlbut

89

40

JSouhtad.

41

4?

Kilhain Hill

43
44

King of Tompkins County

r.
h. r.

45
46

Largo Ttellow Bough

Hweet Boufjh.

T

47

48

49

Milding

50

51

5?

63

MuDBOQ Sweet

h. r.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETT.

149

APPLE S— Continued.

s

a

Central
Division.

Southern
Division.

REMARKS.

27

28

?
?

?

Quite extensively introduced with early importations of New
York nursery stock. [Condemned in Androscoggin County.]

29

r.

r.

An excellent sweet apple for family use.

30
31

32

33
34

r.

h, r.

t

h. r.
7

r.
r.

h. r.

Can hardly be recommended for general cultivation. Too small

for market.
Not that of tho books. E.xtensively grown in the central part

of the State, and wherever grown is a popular apple.
Two or more varieties are grown in the iMate under this name.

The one here doscribod is the true Golden Ball of Downing.

An early and annual bearer; tree vigorous and hardy. The

description in tho first catalogue was erroneous.
Reported a shy bearer in Piscataquis. Heads tho list of fall

fruits. A heavy bearer in Androscoggin County.
Not extensively introduced. (See page 128.)

36

r.

h. r.

3«

?

?

An excellent winter sweet apple.

37

L. r.

h. r.

38

r.

r.

39

r.

r.

Under high cultivation profitable — otherwise fruit imperfeot.

40

?

Not extensively grown in this State.

41

?

Excellent dessert apple. Not much grown in this State.

42

t

t

Not generally popular.

43
44

?

h. r.

7

h. r.

Is not fully proved. With many does not prove desirable. Shy
bearer in Western Kennebec. Good bearer in Androscog'n Co.
Origin, Sidney, Maine. Valuable for family use.

45
46

r.

r.

Valuable chiefly because so early. When fully ripe quality
"very good."

47

t

A very handsome apple.

48

r.

r.

An early, great, and continuous bearer.

49
aO

?
r.
r.
r.

r.
r.

A new variety from New Hampshire. Promises well.

51
52

A choice dessert apple. Tree considered a. little tender and

short lived, though Cole calls it perfectly hnrdy.
A new variety. Origin, Greene, Me. Promising.

53

Hardy. A very great bearer.

150

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

CATALOGUE OF

NAME.

Naked-limbod Groening.

Northern Spy

Orange Sweet

Peck's Pleasant

Porter

President

Primate ■

Pumpkin Sweet

Rambo

Red Astrachan

Red Canada .. .
Old Nonsuch.

Ribston Pippin

Rhode Island Greening
Roxbury Eusset

Sarah ,

Sops of Wine .
Bell's Early.

Somerset ,
Starkey . .

Superb Sweet
Sweet Russet .

Sweet and Sour

Swaar

Summer Sweet Paradise

Talman's Sweet

Tetofsky

Thompson

g-
b.

v.g-
V. g-
V. g.

g-

b.

b.
v-g.

g-
v-g.

b

g
g

b
b

b

v-g.

v.g.
v.g-
v.g-
v-g-
p.?
v.g.

M.
M. D.

M.

D.

M.
D. M.

D.

F.

M.

F. M.
D. M.

D. M.
M.
M.

C.

M.

D. M.
D. M.

D. M.

F. M.

F.
D. M.
F. M.
F. M.

D.

M.

cc

W.
W.

A.
VI.
A.
A.
S.
L. A.
W.
S.

w.

w.
w.

Sp.

A.
S.

A.
E. W.

A.
E. W.

W.
W.

E. A.

W.

S.
E. A.

h. r.
h. r.

h. r.
t

r.
t
t

h. r.

h. r.

h. r,

t

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

151

APPLE S— Continued.

S

a

5 o

REMARKS.

^

cSS

cgb

64

h. r.

Grown extensively in Waldo county.

55

h. r.

h. r.

Slow to come into bearing, but when it does, under high culti-

S>&

r.

vation, proves desirable.
Highly recommended by many.

57

?

?

58

h. r.

h. r.

59
60

r.
r.

r.
r.

Second only to Gravenstein. Tree perfectly hardy and a heavy
and annual bearer.

61
62

h. r.

?

h. r.
?

Good for baking, — very sweet. Also good market apple. Suc-
ceeds well in portions of Northern Division.
Popular in the West. A good bearer, but too small for profit.

63

h. r.

h. r.

Popular everywhere. Quite tart unless fully ripe.

64

t

t

Not as profitable as many other newer varieties.

65
66

t
h. r.

t
h. r.

Not universally profitable. In some localities proves a good
bearer. A poor bearer in Western Kennebec.

67
68

r.

r.

Cannot be generally recommended for all localities. On soils
adapted to it, proves one of the most profitable. On other
soils it is a very poor bearer. Needs high cultivation.

Native of Wilton. Great bearer.

69

r.

r.

Extensively grown under the synonym. Hardy, productive and
profitable. Tree a poor grower in Western Kennebec.

70
71

h. r.
h. r.

h. r.
?

Native of Mercer. Showy. Fruit every way valuable. Said

by some to drop badly.
Native of Vassalboro', where it is extensively grown and called

one of the most profitable. Quality among the best.

72

r.

An excellent apple, though not extensively grown.

73

74

?

7

There are many kinds grown under this name, with nothing to
recommend them but their late keeping and their exceeding
sweetness. This variety is large and has much to recommend
it as an early winter sweet apple. Good for baking.

This variety grows with sections of sweet alternating with soar.
Choice for dessert. Grown chiefly as a curiosity.

75

7

?

76

7

An old variety. A desirable early sweet apple. Not widely

77
78

h. r.
r.

h. r.
r.

grown.
More extensively grown than any other winter sweet apple.

Tree hardy, prolific.
Tree hardy everywhere.

79

t

t

A good fruit. Tree not a free grower nor abundant bearer, ex-
cept in special localities.

152

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETT.

CATALOGUE OF

80

81

82
83
84

86

86

NAMES.

Twenty Ounce

Cayuga Red Streak.

Wagener

Williams' Favorite

Winthrop (ireening

Winter White

Tellow Bellflower

Yellow Newtown Pippin

>.

(/J

sS
3

03
S>

CO

1.

P-

c.

L. A.

m.

e-

M.

W.

1.

g-

M.

S.

1.

b.

F. M.

A.

I.

g-

M.

W.

m.

b.

D.M.

W.

m.

b.

D.

W.

:?;«

h. r.

h. r.

?

h. r.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETr.

153

APPLE S— Concluded.

REMARKS.

Large, ooarso, acid, not rich.

A poor grower in Western Kennebec; overbears.

Succeeds well in portions of Northern Division. Very large,

free grower and good bearer.
One of our best native varieties. Desirable in many respects.

An old variety introduced by Mr. Vaughn. Grown to some
extent in Kennebec, whore some speak highly of it. It is
not recommended over some newer varieties.

Hardy, giving good satisfaction in many lucalitios. On favor-
able soils an abundant bearer, when it is cri.sp, juicy and
rich. When not well grown, quality as inferior as its size.

Not extensively grown In some instances proving well. Qual-
ity poor in Wostorn Konnebeo; does not ripen well.

154

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

II— PEARS.

The columns explain as follows: "Size" — s, small; m., medium; 1., large.
"Form" — p., pyriform; ob. p., obtuse pyriform; ob. o. p., oblong obtuse pyriform;
r., roundish; r. ob., roundish obtuse. "Color" — y. g., yellowish green; y. g. r., yel-
lowish green with red cheek; y. r., yellow russet; y., yellow. "Quality" — g., good;
V. g., very good; b., best. "Use" — F., family; F. M., family and market; M.,
market; K., kitchen. "Season" — S, summer; A., autumn; E. A., early autumn;
L. A., late autumn; W., winter. The letter q afiSxed to the name of a variety indi-
cates that it is adapted to be grown on the quince stock.

1

2
3
4

6
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26

NAMES.

Bartlett

Belle Lucrative, q

Beurre Bosc

Beurre Clairgeau

Beurre d' Anjou, q

Beurre Diel, q..

Beurre GiiFard, q

Beurre Superfin, q

Beurre Hardy, q

Clapp's Favorite, q ....
Dearborn's Seedling ...

Doyenne d'Ete

Duchess d'Angouleme,q.,

Eastern Belle

Fulton

Glout Morceau, q

Goodale

Howell, q

Lawrence

Louise Bonne de Jersey, q

Manning's Elizabeth

Rostiezer

Sheldon

Urbaniste

Vicar of Winkfield, q. . .
Winter Nelis

a
1

o

6

6

1.

ob. 0. p

J-

y-s-

F. M.

m.
1.
1.
1.
1.
m.

r. 0. p.

P-

P-

ob. p

r. ob p.

P-

y- g-

y. r.
y. r,
y- g- r.
y- r.
y-g-

b.
b.

g-

b.
V. g.

V. g-

F.
F. M.

M.
F. M.
F. iM.
F. M.

m.
1.
1.

s.

r.p.

ob. p.

ob 0. p

r. p.

y. r.

y- g-

y- g- r-

y-

y-s-

g-

g-

V. g.

F.
F. M.
F. M.
F. M.

s.
1.
m.

s.

r. 0. p.

ob. 0. p.

r. 0. p.

r. ob.

y- g- r-

y-
y-

y. r.

y-s-

b.

F.
F. M.

F.
F. M.

1.
1.
1.

ob. p.

ob. 0 p.

r. p.

y-

y- g-
y-g-

g-

y- g-
y- g-

F. ji."
F. M.

m.
1.

8.
8.

m.

r. 0. p.
ob. p.
ob. p.

P-
r.

y- g' r.

y- g-

y- r.

y- g- r-

y. r.

>^-g-
y-s-
y-s-

b.

b.

F.
F. M.

F.

F.
F. M.

m.
1.

8.

P-

P-

ob. p.

y- g-
y- g-
y- r-

V. g.

P-
b.

F. M.
K. iVL

F.

CO

A.
A.
A.
A.
A.
A.
S.
A.
A.
B. A.
E. A.

S.

L. A.

A.

A.

L. A.

A.

A.

W.

A.

S.

E. A.

A.

L. A.

W.

W.

Remarks on the List of Pears.

Nos. 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19 and 23, are of American origin;
the others foreign. Nos. 14, 15 and 17 are natives of Maine.

No. 1 — Bartlett. Tree somewhat tender, and hence liable to
injur}' from sudden changes of temperature in winter.

No. 2 — Belle Lucrative. One of the best at its season as a single
variety for home use.

No. 3 — Beurre Bosc. Tree vigorous and a regular bearer. Fruit
generally perfect and of uniform size and high color.

No. 4 — Beurre Clairgemi. Succeeds best on light, warm soils.
Forms a fine, thrifty tree, and bears early. Valuable for market.

No. 5 — Beurre d' Anjou. In some localities bears lightly, —
otherwise nearly faultless, both in tree and fruit. A poor bearer in
Western Kennebec.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 155

No. 6 — Beurre Diel. First rate in every respect in favorable
situations ; but on young trees and in cold soils the fruit is apt to
be coarse and astringent.

No. 7 — Beurre Giffard. Tree of moderate growth, spreading,
slender. Like all early pears, this should be gathered before fully
ripe, otherwise it is liable to lack qualit}', and decay at the core.

No. 8 — Beurre Superfin. Trees y&vy healthy — inclined to be
thornj'. Not an early bearer.

No. 9 — Beurre Hardy. Trees remarkably vigorous.

No. 10 — Glapp's Favorite. Fruit showy and attractive. Tree a
vigorous grower. Very popular.

No. 11 — Dearborn's Seedling. Regular and abundant bearer.
Fruit sweet and sprightly in flavor.

No. 12 — Doyenne d' Me. Must be gathered before full}' ripe.

No. 13 — Duchess d' Angouleme. Gives its best fruit on quince
stock, with garden culture.

No. 14 — Eastern Belle. Originated at Bangor. Tree hardy and
vigorous. Fruit large and of execllent quality.

No. 15 — Fulton. Should be grafted into vigorous trees.

No. 16 — Glout Morceau. Tree of spreading habit. Unreliable in
heavy soils.

No. 17 — Goodale. Very vigorous and productive; fruit having
a short stem, is liable to blow off.

No. 18 — Howell. Tree hardy, and an upright and free grower.

No. 19 — Lawrence. Succeeds in more sandy soils than most
pears.

No. 20 — Louise Bonne de Jersey. As No. 13.

No. 21 — Manning's Elizabeth. A beautiful dessert fruit; desir-
able for amateurs ; very productive ; growth moderate.

No. 22 — Rostiezer. Tree vigorous, but of irregular and straggly
growth.

No. 23 — Sheldon. Tree vigorous, hardy and a good bearer ; qual-
ity fine.

No. 24 — Urbanisle. Of slow growth on quince, but when grown
is one of the best in quality, and most permanent and productive.

No. 25 — Vicar of Winkfield. The best cooking pear. When of
large size, by suitable thinning, and ripened yellow, is good for
eating.

No. 26 — Winter Nelis. Should be grafted into vigorous trees.

Ill— QUINCES.

Angers. Fruit ver}^ large, oblate pyriform, yellowish, tender.
This variety is grown and known chiefly- as a stock for dwarf pears.

Apiple or Orange. Fruit large, roundish, j-ellowish green, half
tender. Valuable for home use or in market, for preserves, &c.

156

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

IV— PLUMS.

Abbreviatcons: "Size" — 1., large; tn., medium; s., small. "Form" — r., roundish;
0., oval; r. o, roundish oval; o. ob., oval obovate. "Color" — p, purplish or very
dark; r., reddish or copper color; y., yellow; g. y., greenish yellow; y. r, yellowish
with shades or spots of red. ''Quality" — g., good; v. g., very good; b-, best.
"Use" — F., family; M., market. ''Season" — E., early; M., medium; L., late.

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

U

15

16

17

IS

NAMES.

Bavay's Green Gage . . . .

Rune Ctiiu'Je de Bavay.

Blocker's Gage

Bradshaw

Coe's Golden Drop

Coe's Late Red

Columbia

Damson

Duane's Purple

Green Gage

Huling's Superb

Imperial Gage

Jefferson

Lombard

McLaughlin

Purple Gage

Smith's Orleans

Washington

Yellow Egg

White Magnum Bonum.

r. o.
o. ob.

g- y-
y-

r. p.
y. r.

P-

P-

P-
r. p.

gy-
g y-
g-y-

y. r.
r. p.
y. r.

P-
r. p.

g-y-
y-

v-g.

g-
'••g
v.g.

g-

g

g-

b.

g-
b.
b,

g-

b.
v-g.
v.g-

y-s-

g-

F.

F. M.

M.
F. M.
F. M.

M.

M.
F M.

F.
F. M.
F. M.
F. M.

M.
F. M.
F. M.
F. M.
F. M.
F. M.

M.
M.
L.
L.
M.
L.
E.
M.
M.
M.
M.
M.
M.
M.
M.
E.
M.

V— CHERRIES.

Abbreviations: "Size" — 1., large; m, medium; s., small. "Form" — ob. h., obtase
heart shape; r. ob. h., roundish obtuse heart shape; r. h., roundish heart shape; r.,
roundish or round. "Color" — I r., lively bright red; d. r., red, almost black; a. m.,
amber mottled with red; y. r., yellow ground shaded with red. "Class" — II., Hearts,
or tender fleshed sweet cherries; B., Bigarreau, or firm fleshed; D,, Uukes, having a
character in tree and fruit midway between the Uearts and Morellos; M., Morellos,
having acid fruit, and the trees of small, slender growth. "Use"-F., family, for dessert;
F. M., family or market; K. M., cooking or market; M., market. "Season" — E.,
early; M., medium; L , late. For general descriptions see pages 78-81.

i

1

53

NAMES.

EC

m.
1.
1.
1.
m.
m.

8.

i

5

d

to

a

o

i

•
1

Belle de Choisv

r.
r. h.
r. h.
r. h.

r.
r. h.

r.
r. h.
r. h.
ob. h.

r.
r. ob. h.

r. h.
r. ob. h.

r.

a. m.
1. r.
d. r.
d. r.
a. m.
d. r.
1. r.
y. r.
y. r.
d. r.
d. r.
d. r.
d. r.

y-r-

1. r.

D.
D.
H.
H.
11.
IL
M.
B.
H.
D.
D.
D.
M.
B.
D.

F.
K. M.
F. M.
F. M.

F.
F. M.
K. M.
F. M.
F. M.
K M.
K M.
K. M.
K. M.
F. M.
F. M.

E. M.

2
8

Belle Magnifique

Black Heart

L.
M.

I
5
6
7
8

Black Tartarian

Coe's Transparent

Early Purple Guigne.. . .

Early Richmond

Elton

M.
M.
E.
E.
M.

9

M.

10

L.

11

L.

\f.

E.

n

L.

14

M.

15

L.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

157

VI— NATIVE GRAPES.

Abbreviations: "Size" — with reference to the berry, I., large; m., medium; s.,
small. "Form" — with reference to bunch and berry, s. r., short bunch, round berry;
1. r., largo and round; m. r. o., medium bunch, roundish oval berry; m. r., medium
bunch, round berry. "CoIor"(when fully ripe) — b., black, or nearly so; r., reddish;
g., greenish white or yellowish. "Quality" — p., poor; g., good; v. g., very good; b.,
best. "Use" — T., table; M., market; W., wino.

a>

.a

a

s

NAMES.

CO

a

o

C

"o
O

a

s

a

o

a
o
M

1

1.
1.

s.

I.

m.
s.
m.
m.
1.
m.
1.
m.

1.

I.
1.
m.
1.

1.

1.

1.

1. r.

8. r. 0.

m r.

1. r.
m r 0

s r.
s. r. 0.

r.
m. r. 0.
m. r. 0.
m. r. 0.
m. r. 0.

8. r.

1. r.

1. r.

s. r.

r.

m. r. 0.

1. r.

1. r.

g-

r.

b.
b.
b.
r.
r.
b.
b.
r.
b.
r.

b.

b.

g-
g-
P-

b.
b.
b.

V. g.
V. g-

P-

g-

^- g-

b.

y- g-
g-
g-

b.

g-
V- g.

V. g-

g-

g-

▼• g-

g-

V. g-

V g-

g-

T. M.

T. W.
T M.W

T.

T. M W.

T. M.

T.

M.

T. M. W.

T. M.

T.

M.

T. M W

T M.

T.

M.

T. M.

T. M.

T. M. W

M.

?

M.

3

liorjers' No. 15.

L.

4

M.

f>

E.

fi

E.

7
R

Di.ina

E u lu t- 1 a n

L.
M.

9
10

tiarlford Prolific

E.
L.

11

Isabella

L.

12
IS

Lindley

Roijers' JSo. 9.
MorrJLuack

M.
M.

14

li)(jer!,' Mo. 19.

E.

1ft

Piicklington

M.

16

Kebtcca

M.

17

M.

IR

liorjeis' ISo. 22.
I'ele^raph

E.

1ft

Christine.
Wilder

M.

20

Ro/jem' No. 4.
WurUea

E.

Remarks on the List of Grapes.

No 1 — Allen's Hybrid. A luxuriant grower and abundant
bearer, and when well ripened one of the most delicious varieties
of the Sweetwater class ; but rather too late to be recommended
for general culture in this State.

No. 2 — Agcvwam. Very handsome, and a good keeping variety.
Flavor rich, spicy and good.

No. 3 — Clinton. Fruit small, late and harsh. Valuable only for
wine. Vine hardy. Not recommended.

No. 4 — Concord. A free grower, and bears heavily, but does
not generally mature its fruit in this State.

No. 5 — Creveling. Of excellent quality, not rich, but entirely
free from foxiuess. Mildews badly in some localities.

158 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

No. 6 — Delaware. Bunch and berry small, and not a good keeper,
but in all other respects one of the noost desirable varieties for
general cultivation. Vine health}^ and hardy, and an early and
constant bearer. Requii'es rich soil and high culture.

No. 7 — Diana. Rather late for Maine, but of fine quality, and
the best keeping variety.

No. 8 — Eumelan. Has not given satisfaction in this State.

No. 9 — Hartford Prolific. Early, hard}^ vigorous and produc-
tive, but fruit ripens unevenl}'^ and drops from the bunch.

No. 10 — lona. Of high flavor and a good keeper, but too late
for general cultivation in Maine. Requires rich, warm soil. Vine
and foliage healthy.

No. 11 — Isabella. An old, standard variety. Largely super-
seded by earlier and better sorts. A free grower, and ha^•d3^

No. 1 2 — Lindley. One of the earliest and best of Rogers' h3'brids.
Bunch and berry handsome. Of good qualit}' and excellent keeper.

No. 13 — Merrimack. Ripens uniformly and well, and gives
general satisfaction. Vigorous and productive.

No. 14. Moore's Early. Seedling of Concord, which it closely
resembles, but ripens a week or ten days earlier.

No. 15. PocMington. Strong grower, hardy, free from mildew;
very promising.

No. 16 — Rebecca. Of fine flavor and keeps well. Of slender
growth and tender when young, but a healthy grower when
established.

No. 17 — Salem. Not as reliable in this State as the other well
known varieties of the same class. Foliage liable to mildew.
Flavor rich, aromatic and sweet. Needs further trial.

No. 18 — Telegraph. Not much known in this State, but highly
recommended elsewhere for earliness and general good qualities.

No. 19 — Wilder. Vigorous. Foliage strong and healthy. Re-
quires a strong, rich soil. A reliable and valuable variety but a
little later than some others of its class.

No. 20. Worden. Similar to Concord, but of better quality,
earlier and less liable to rot.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

159

VII— FOREIGN GRAPES.

The catalogue of the American Pomological Society contains
thirty-three varieties of foreign grapes, nearl}^ all of which, with
many others, are grown in this State ; and being cultivated exclu-
sivel}^ under glass they are exempt from the variations induced by
climate and soil, and therefore equally adapted to all localities.
The description embraces color, flavor, season, and the character of
the vinery — whether hot or cold — in which they may be grown. It
is not perceived that the insertion of such a list will be of material
service to cultivators of this class of grapes, the information which
it would contain being within their reach in other forms ; hence it
is omitted.

VIII— BLACKBERRIES.

Abbreviations: "Size" — 1., large; m., medium. "Form" — ob. c, oblong conic; ov.,
oval; ob. ov., oblong oval. "Qualitj" — v. g., very good; b., best. "Season" — E.,
early: M., medium; L., late.

Number.

NAMES.

Size.

Form.

Quality.

Season.

1

2

Snyder

Agawam

m.
m.

ob. 0.

b.
b.

M.

-VI.

1, Hardy and productive. 2, Hardy, productive and sweet.

IX— CURRANTS.

Abbreviations: "Size" — 1., large; m., medium; s., small. "Form of bunch" —
m., medium; s., short; 1., long. "Color" — r., red; b., black; w., white. "Quality" — a.,
acid; m. a., moderately acid; v. a., very acid. "Season" — E., early; M., medium;
L., late.

NAMES.

Black Naples

Black Grape. Ogden's Black

Cherry

Fay's Prolific ,

Imperial Red

La Versaillaise

White Grape ,

Size.

Form of
Bunch.

Color.

Quality.

8.

b.

m. a.

m.

b.

m. a.

s.

r.

V. a.

1.

r.

a.

s.

r.

a.

8.

r.

a.

m.

m.

w.

m. a.

Season.

2 Resembles Black Naples, but more vigorous and productive; fruit larger and of
better quality. 3, Shy bearer, and very sour. 6, Generally supposed to be identical
with No. 6; but inserted by vote of the Society (p. 103) for further investigation.
7, The best white currant.

160

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

X— GOOSEBERRIES.

Abbreviations: "Size" — 1., large; m.,iiiecliura; a., small. "Form" — o., oval; r. o.,
roundith oval. "Color" — r., reddish; g., greenish yellow. "Quality" — g',good; V. g.,
very good. "Season" — E., early; M., medium; L., late.

NAMES.

Downing ..
Uoujihton.

Size.

Form.

r. o.
r. o.

Color.

Quality

g-

Season.

M. L.

E.

1 Of upright habit, productive, desirable. 2 Drooping, vigorous.

XI— RASPBERRIES.

Abbreviations: "Size" — 1., large; m., medium. "Form" — r., roundish; c, conical;
ob. c, obtuse conical. "Color"' — r., reddish; p., purplish; y, yelluw; b., blaok>
"Quality" — g,g<>od; v. g., very good; b., best. "Use" — M., market; F. M., family
and market. "Season" — E., early; M,, medium; L , late.

No.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

10

NAMES.

Clarke

Cuthbort

Davison's Thornless . . .

Golden Thornless

<»regg

Ivnevott's Giant

McCorinick

Mammoth Clwter.
Orange. Brinckles Orange

Shaffer's Colossal

Turner

Size.

Form.

ob. c.

ob.
ob

Color.

bik.

y-

purple.

Quality,

v.g

V. g.

b.

g-

V- g-

Use.

F. M.
F. M.
F. M.

F.
F. M.

F.
F. M.

F.

M.

F. M.

L.
E.
M.
L.
M.
L.

M.
L.
E.

1, Canes strong, vigorous and upright; more nearly hardy than any foreign kind;
fruit rather suit, juicy, sweet and e.xceilent; better for light soils than any other
variety of its class. 6, Strong grower and very productive. 8, Fruit tender; valuable
for family use. 7, Profitable for market.

XII— STRAWBERRIES.

Abbreviations: "Size" — I., large. "Form" — o. c, obtuse conical; r. c, roundish
conical; r. o. c, roundish obtuse conical. "Color" — b. s., bright scarlet; 1. c, light
crimson; d. c, deep crimson. "Quality" — g., good; v. g., very good. "Season" —
£., early; M., medium; L., late.

No

NAMES.

Bidwell

Crescent Seedling. , . .
Cumberland Triumph
Charles Downing . .. .

Glendale

Kentucky Seedling,.

Manchester

Shnrpless

Wilson's Albany

Size.

Form.

m. to 1.

m.
m. to 1.
m. to 1.
m. to I.

1.

1.

1.

1.

long.

r. o. c.
irregular

r. c.

Color.

b. 8.
I.e.
1. c
b. 8.
b. 8.
1. c.
b. 8.
I.e.
d. c.

Quality.! Season.

v.g.

g-
V g-
V. g.
v-g-
V. g.
v-g-
vg-

g-

M.

M.

M.

M.

L.

L.
M. to L.

M.
E. to L.

1, Has the objection of having light tips. 2, A pistillate variety; very productive;
quality butter than the Wilson. 3, One of the best for family use. 4, Quality very
good; rusts badly. 5, Very high flavored and productive. C, One of the best late
varieties in quality. 7, Pistillate; matures its fruit well. 8, A popular sort; fruit
very large; requires hill culture. 9, Of fair quality when fully ripe.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 161

GEO. B, SAWYER, Treasurer,
In Account with Maine State Pomological Society.

Dr.

To cash in treasury January 1, 1885 $85 50

" amount rec'd from Oakland National Bank, on temporary

loan

from the State, bounty for 1884

of life members

" annual members

" State Agricultural Society

for interest on Permanent Fund

«< " extra dividend of Wisoasset Sav-
ings Bank

Cb.

By amount paid orders of Executive Committee $251 13

on account of Secretary's salary

loan at Oakland National Bank

interest on loans

balance premiums of 1884

on account of premiums of 1885

Balance cash in treasury December 31, 1885.

300 00

500 00

40 00

59 00

425 00

17 20

22 36

$1,449 06

$251 13

75 00

300 00

15 15

441 00

354 00

$1,436 28

12 78

$1,449 06

$1,006 18

Statement of. the Financial Condition of the Society,
December 31, 1885.

ASSETS.

Amount due from State, bounty for 1885 $500 00

Cash in the treasury 11 78

Property owned by the Society, estimated 150 00

Amount on deposit to credit of Permanent Fund 344 40

LIABILITIES.

Amount due on lean $200 00

" " premiums of 1885 354 00

" " unpaid orders (nothing)

"• " salary of Secretary and Treasurer, 1885 25 00

" " bills not rendered, or for which orders have not

been drawn, estimated 100 00

PERMANENT FUND.

Cr. By fees of 82 life members $820 00

Dr. To amount on deposit to credit of Fund 344 40

Balance due Fund $*75 6«

Respectfully submitted.

GEO. B. SAWYER, Treasurer.
WiscASSET, Feb. 15, 1886.

11

$679 00

MEMBERS 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

*Atherton, H. N. Hallowell

Atherton, W. P "

Atkins, Charles G Bucksport

Atwood, Fred Winterport

Bennoch, John E Orono

Briggs, D. J South Turner

Briggs, John Turner

Burr, John Freeport

Carter, Otis L Etna

Chase, Henry M North Yarmouth

Chase, Martin V. B Augusta

*Clark, Eliphalet Portland

Cole, Horatio G Boston

Crafts, Moses Auburn

♦Crosby, William C Bangor

Dana, Woodbury S Portland

DeRocher, Peter Waterville

Dirwanger, Joseph A Portland

Dunham, W. W North Paris

Dyer, Milton Cape Elizabeth

*Emerson, Albert Bangor

Farnsworth, B. B Portland

Frost, Oscar F Monmouth

Gardiner, Robert H Gardiner

Gilbert, Z. A North Greene

♦Godfrey, J ohn E Bangor

Hansoom, John Saco

Harlow, S. C Bangor

♦Harris, N. C Auburn

Harris, N. W "

Harris, William M "

♦Hersey, T. C Portland

Hopkins, Miss S. M Gardiner

Hoxie, James S North Fairfield

Ingalls, Henry Wiscasset

* Jewett, George Portland

Johnson, Isaac A Auburn

Jordan, Francis C Brunswick

Enowlton, D. H Farmington

Low, Elijah Bangor

Low, S. S "

Lapham, E. A Pittston

McLaughlin, Henry Bangor

♦Metoalf, M.J Monmouth

Moore, William G "

Moor, F. A Waterville

Morton, J. A Bethel

Morton, William B Portland

♦Noyes, Albert Bangor

Parley, Chas. I.... Seward's (Vassalboro')

Pope, Charles S Manchester

Pulsifer, D. W Poland

♦Richards, F. G Gardiner

Richards, John T.. "

Ricker, A. S Turner

♦Richardson, J.M Gardiner

Roak, George M Auburn

Robinson, Henry A Fozcroft

Rolfe, Samuel Portland

Sawyer, Andrew S Cape Elizabeth

Sawyer, George B Wiscasset

Shaw, Stillman W Minot

Simmons, H. J. A Waldoboro'

•Deceased.

(162)

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

163

LIFE MEMBERS— Concluded.

*Smitb, Alfred Monmonth

Smith, Henry S "

Starrett, L. F Warren

♦Stetson, Isaiah Bangor

Stilphen, Asbury C Gardiner

Stanley, Charles Winthrop

Stanley, 0. E "

Strout, S. F West Falmouth

Strattard, Mrs. A. B Monroe

Sweetser, S. R Cumberland Center

*Tay lor, Joseph Belgrade

♦Deceased.

Thomas, William W., Jr Portland

Tilton, William S Chelsea

True, Davis P Leeds Center

Varney, James A Oregon

Vickery, James Portland

Vickery, John Auburn

Wade, Patrick Portland

* Weston, James C Bangor

Wharff, Charles S Gardiner

Whitney, Edward K Harrison

Woodman, George W Portland

ANNUAL MEMBERS, 1885.

Abbott, Lyman F Lewiston

Ayer, Daniel N. Vassalboro'

Allen, B. E North Greene

Allen, Nelson S Dennysville

Blossom, Leander H Turner Centre

Berry, L. M Winthrop

Blossom, G. W Turner

Boardman, Samuel L Augusta

Baker, John C Lewiston

Brown, Henry W Newburg

Bickford, L. I Dixmont Centre

Bigelow, Hayden Greene

Carpenter, James M Pittston

Colby, D. H Lewiston

Cary, Henry S Topsham

Cates, A. G Auburn

Chipman, J. C West Gloucester

Chipman, A. B " "

Cook, S. W Lewiston

Clifford, Mrs. A. T Leeds Centre

Dunton, John Lewiston

Dunbar, E. W Damariscotta

Espeonnet, Albert Gardiner

George, C. H Hebron

Hofifses, Elmas Warren

Ham, Nelson Lewiston

Hayes, L. B «<

Hackett, B. C West Gloucester

Holbrook, C. D N. Madison

Hersom, A, J Berwick

Hosman, George H Auburn

Harmon, G. H "

Huff, A. B Readfield Depot

Hoyt, Mrs. F Winthrop

Jordan, Alice M Auburn

Kenniston, E. H Simpson's Corner

Litchfield, L. K Winthrop

Leach, H. T E. Monmouth

Lombard, T. M Auburn

Leavitt, Mrs. S. E "

Merrill, T. M West Gloucester

Mitchell, E L Lewiston

Miller, Mrs. C. A "

Nowell, Frank E Fairfield

Nelson, 0. C New Gloucester

Perkins, L. J Deering

Penley, Arthur W Auburn

Pulsifer, Eben South Auburn

Phaneuf, Mrs. M Lewiston

Robie, S. P Auburn

Ring, Cora E Richmond

Staples, G. K Temple

Skillings, L Lewiston

Towle, J. J Dixfield

Thomas, Mrs. J. W Rockland

Whitmore, Thomas P Bowdoinham

Wharff, William R Gardiner

Wright, Fred Bath

Waterman, I. T East Auburn

Whitney, E. K Harrison

INDEX.

PAGE.

Abbott, L. F., paper of 118

Address of "Welcome 26

" of President Pope 29

Annual Exhibition, report of 11

Apple, an 105

" the McLellan 141

'"'■ trees in the cold north 142

Apples, premiums on 16

" picking 109

" barrelinff Ill

" a ciioice of 142

" list of, for Maine 146

Aroostook County, fruit in 127

Atkins, Charles G., paper of 91

" " letter of 130

Atherton, W. P., paper of 85

Bennoch, J. E., paper of 37

Blackberries, culture of 65

" list of 159

Boardman, Samuel L., paper of 105

Brown, Arthur I., paper of 62

Canned fruits, premiums on 23

Catalogue of Maine fruits 145

Chamberlain, C, letter of 136

Cherries, list of 156

Climatic line of fruit growing in Maine 85

Codling Moth, can it be trapped? 97

Committees, list of 8

Coleus beds, hints on making 56

Gushing, Dr. J. T., address of 26

Currants, list of 159

Discussion on nursery stock 40

" small fruits 101

" fruits and flowers 124

(164)

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 165

PAGE.

Exhibition, rules of annual 13

Experience with small fruits 66

Flowers, premiums on 24

" arrangement of 49

Franklin County, fruit in 129

Fruit culture, climatic line of 85

" " difficulties of 83

" '' essentials of 80

" " possibilities of 81

" " future of. in Maine 115, 118

" exhibitions, management of 101

" growing, mistakes of 95

in diflTerent counties 127

" list for Maine 145

Garden, weed your own 44

George, C. H., letter of 132

Gilbert, Hon. Z. A., remarks of 101

Gooseberries, list of 160

Grapes, premiums on 21

" list of native 157

" " foreign 159

Guptill, F. B., letter of 140

Hancock County, fruit in 130

Harlow, S. C, paper of 97

" " letter of • • 134

Insecticides, use of 99

Index 164

Jackson, I. C, letter of 60

Knowlton, D. H., paper of 73

Kennebec County, fruit in 131

Leland, S. E., paper of 115

'' " letter of 129

" H. L., letter of 135

Lincoln County, fruit in 132

Maine the best fruit State 121

Making coleus beds 56

Members, list of 162

" life 162

" " annual 163

Merritt, E. W., letter of 127

Moth, Codling, can it be trapped 97

6

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

PAGE.

Miscellaneous articles, premiums on 23

" papers -^27

Mulch question, the o.

Mulching, advantages of 92

" as a fertilizer 93

" objections to 92

Nursery stock, where procured 34 37

Officers for 1885 g

" 1886 7

Oxford County, fruit in 232

Pears, premiums on 20

" list of ■;;"::!!:;;::;;;;;;;;;;; 154

Penobscot County, fruit in j34

Pike, N. R., paper of 34

Piscataquis County, fruit in 135

Plums, premiums on 22

" list of 15g

Pope, Charles L., address of 29

" Miss L. M., paper of 5g

Prince, Miss Zylpha S., paper of 44

President's address 29

U u

104

Preserves, premiums on 23

Quinces, list of 255

Raspbersy, culture of the 60 61 67

Raspberries, list of \gQ

Report on President's address 104

" of business meeting 2Q4

Robinson, H. A., letter of ;^35

Simpson, Mrs. C. W., paper of 49

Simmons, H. J. A., letter of 132

Small fruits, experience with gO

" talk about g2

" for thirteen weeks 79

Smiley, J. W., letter of 131

Societies, list of horticultural 9

Sprague, H. A., letter of 139

Strawberries, culture of -1

list of ^'.^y^'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.j^o

The mulch question 91

Towle, J. J., letter of ,133

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 167

Treasurer's report

PAGE.
.. 161
.. 95

True, D. P., paper of

Washington County, fruit in 139

'^What man hath done, man may do" 73

Winter meeting, proceedings of 26

York County, fruit in 1^0

i!