REP(3RT OF STATE HORTICULTURIST. 



To the Hon. IVilliani T. Gnptill, Commissioner of Agriculture: 

 I submit herewith the sixth annual report of the Bureau of 

 Horticulture. 



The work for the past year has consisted chiefly of the fol- 

 lowing important lines of activity : Inspection of state nur- 

 series, orchard and premises inspection, inspection of foreign 

 grown nursery stock imported into the state, publication of 

 bulletins, and office work in general. Besides this work I have 

 judged fruit at the Somerset Central Fair at Skowhegan and 

 the annual fair of the Sagadahoc Agricultural Association at 

 Topsham ; one Fruit Growers' Convention has been held at 

 Bangor during the year; dissatisfactory nursery stock shipped 

 into the state from outside nurseries has been examined when 

 reported and statistics regarding the different lines of work 

 have been compiled. We have received numerous inquiries 

 asking for advice in cultivation, pruning and care of apple trees 

 and shrubs, and when conditions have warranted, a representa- 

 tive of this bureau has been sent to comply with the request. 



The fruit crops of both the tree and bush varieties have 

 proved much more satisfactory than last year, but will fall con- 

 siderably below the average yield. Apples have been quite apt 

 to be inferior and diseased, especially cases where the fruit is 

 not sprayed, which are, unfortunately, the most common. Sev- 

 eral sections were visited by severe hailstorms, early in the sea- 

 son, which caused several thousands of dollars loss to the apple 

 growers. This was the case in the eastern part of Waldo county, 

 particularly. Apple scab has been unusually severe this season 

 and several varieties, especially Mcintosh and Northern Spy, 

 have been practically ruined in some sections by this one dis- 

 ease alone. Orchardists who sprayed their fruit saved most of 

 these varieties susceptible to this disease. The dormant spray 

 with lime-sulphur is very effective in the control of apple scab 

 and more orchardists are adopting it each year. With the ex- 

 ception of the codling moth, the most destructive insect this 



