4S AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



always be practised where fruit is put in boxes, not only because 

 of the more attractive appearance, but because of the fact that 

 spread of decay and danger from bruising, especially in a loosely 

 packed box, are greatly lessened. 



The different insects were busy (hiring the season and a great 

 deal of damage resulted. The bud moth began its work early 

 in ]\Iay and was followed by the brown-tail moth, canker worm, 

 old tussock, coddling moth, railroad worm, fall web-worm and 

 borer in greater or less quantity. In the young orchards the 

 aphis (green) appeared in large numbers and worked havoc 

 where left alone. For diseases the canker was an easy first in 

 damaging the trees. Scab was commonly seen on some varie- 

 ties, particularly the Mcintosh, and constituted the principal 

 disease of the fruit. 



Crown gall and woolly aphis gall appeared on little of the 

 nursery stock introduced into the State and in most cases the 

 growers did not plant the infected trees. 



The scale insects were common with the exception of the 

 San Jose scale. 



Of the small fruits, the raspberries probably suffered most 

 during the season and about half a crop resulted. Winter 

 injury, insects, diseases and drought all contributed to a small 

 production of rather inferior berries. 



Strawberries suffered also from the long drought and resulted 

 in not over a 60 per cent crop. The extremely hot weather of 

 July caused the gooseberries to drop in great quantity. Cur- 

 rants did as well as any of the small fruits and gave a fair 

 production. Blackberries were rather below par in size and 

 tended to be hard and imperfect. 



Of all the small fruits, probably the blueberry, if it can be so 

 classed, netted as good a financial return as any, when the capi- 

 tal invested is considered. The growers in Washington county 

 especially, are enthusiastic over the chances for development in 

 this line in the future, and it would seem that their enthusiasm 

 is well founded. 



Inquiries have been received from states as far west as Cali- 

 fornia, regarding the culture of the berry, showing the wide 

 distribution and favorable reception given it. 



There are a few cranberry bogs in the State and they appear 

 to be in good condition. The water problem seems to be the 



