292 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



money; (5) that, apparently, the excessive use of nitrogen, in 

 the absence of potash or phosphoric acid, or both, is distinctly 

 injurious to the fruit; and (6) as a corollary to the other 

 points, that the best results are obtained from a complete, well 

 balanced fertilizer rather than from an excessive use of any 

 one element." 



THE INVESTIGATIONS AT HIGHMOOR EARM. 



As previously stated, investigations in pomology were tem- 

 porarily discontinued at this time. The reasons therefor and 

 the conditions under which it was expected that such work 

 would be renewed, were outlined by the vStation Director in the 

 24th Annual Report* and need not be considered here. 



With the accpiisition of Highmoor Farm came the opportunity 

 for continuing pomological investigations under conditions 

 necessary for the successful is^ue of experiments extending 

 over long indefinite periods, ^^ilr. W. \V. Bonns was appointed 

 associate horticulturist and began work in September, 1909. 



BETTER ORCHARD MANAGEMENT NEEDED. 



The conditions of the orchards at Highmoor Farm presented 

 excellent opportunities for the working out of certain problems 

 in apple production and for the stimulation of the fruit growers 

 of the State to the adoption of improved orchard management 

 methods. 



That such methods have not been generally in vogue ; that 

 intelligent care and consideration in the growing of apple trees 

 and their fruits have not in the past characterized the work of 

 Maine orchardists as a body, are mild statements of the fact. 

 Portions of the State are, with a sound basis of truth, credited 

 with being "natural" apple sections. Nevertheless, the Maine 

 apple crop as a whole has never been regarded by its producers 

 as a product that makes serious demands upon their time or 

 money. 



Doubtless this is due to the fact that for many years natural 

 conditions, such as the absence of orchard pests, were favorable, 



♦Woods, Chas. D., "The Maine Station and Pomology," Me. Agr. 

 Exp. Sta., Annual Rpt., 1908, pp. 154-156. 



