22 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Raspberries, and other small fruits mio;lit be grown to advantage in many 

 a garden where there are none; and it' owners of dwellings would look 

 around, probably in many instances, some nook, corner, or unsightly patch 

 would be found, where they could be grown advantageously, both in regard 

 to appearance and economy. 



The pear is most delicious, and justly takes a high rank in the estimation 

 of all lovers of good fruit. Pears are not as easily raised in this section, aa 

 most other fruits, yet any one having a garden not wholly exposed to cold 

 winds, and who is willing to be at a little extra pains can raise them, and 

 surely rich and melting pears are worth extra coat and labor. 



Dwarf trees pruned as pyramids are ornamental also. There may be seen 

 near where I am writing, trees of the Flemish Beauty, with branch* s near the 

 ground spreading horizontally six feet and rising in pyramidal forui, termi- 

 nate in a point nine or ten feet high, and on which pears, measuring from ten 

 to twelve inches in circumfereuce have grown for several years past. Tliese, 

 to say nothing of the fruit, are quite as beautiful as many trees and shrubs 

 that yield nothing of value, yet are cultivated for ornament only. 



As the severity of our winters is the great obstacle in the way of raising 

 pears in Maine, when a selection is made, it is important that it be with 

 regard to hardiness of tree, rather than quality of fruit. The Flemish Beauty, 

 Urbanisto, Winter Nelis, Noveau Poiteau, and Beurre d'Amalis have proved 

 most hardy among more than thirty sorts that have been on trial here during 

 the last Gve or six years. 



Fruits of all kinds are more or less liable to failure. Seasons that are pro- 

 pitious to some, prove detrimental to others. Therefore by cultivating many 

 kinds, we may be mure sure of an annual supply. We have many sorts 

 varying in size, flavor and season, that may, to a good degree, be depended on 

 for a crop. Though the plum and cherry have failed for a few years past, 

 and some are discarding them on that account, we have reason to believe they 

 will yet do well, and ought not to be abandoned. Even a small garden, well 

 filled with all the small fruits, including plum and cherry to some extent, and 

 a few trees of the most hardy pears, (for they require the best of garden cul- 

 ture,) and all kept in good condition, which is much easier than reclaiming 

 after having been left to run wild, will yield no triSing profit as well as pleas- 

 ure. Fruits of all kinds growing around the family dwelling exert a salutary 

 influence on children also, and miglit be made an effectual means of restrain- 

 ing many an unruly lad, and keep him from pilfering in his neighbor's gar- 

 den or orchard, and perhaps from destroying valuable trees, which is more 

 provoking to the owner than stealing his fruit. They beautify and adorn the 

 homestead, and enhance its value ; " tliey add a charm to social life, afiording 

 a delightful treat to friends, and to children a constant harmless feast." 



But valuable as are all these, and however desirable a garden filled with 

 small fruits, the apple is undoubtedly more valuable, and of more importanse 

 to the cultivator, as it can be produced in larger quantities at less expense, 

 may be served up in many and varied ways throughout the year, and will 

 better supply the real necessities of man and beast than any other. Downing 

 calls it " the world renowned fruit of the temperate climate." With few 

 exceptions, the apple is more hardy than moat other fruits, and will flourish 

 under good management, in almost any soil, though a deep, strong, rocky 

 loam seems best adapted to it. But for an orchard, whatever is the nature of 

 the soil, it should be deeply cultivated and enriciied, and if wet ought to be 

 drained. Trees cannot flourish and grow to good tize in poor, hard or wet 

 soil. Their roots will not ramify or exiendas in good soil, nor will their fruit 

 come to perfection. It is believed that a poor, stinted, half starved tree, like 

 an ill fed animal, will not stand the cold of winter equal to one well fed and 

 healthy. There may be such a thing as making the ground too rich, or with 

 unsuitable manure cause an unhealthy growth ; but where there is one tree 

 overfed, there are hundreds starving. One man, in stating how well he set 



