STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. l6l 



the hopes the entomologist has of investigating the interesting 

 hfe cycle and economic status of the leaf miner. Of course, 

 there is in such a situation a word to be said in favor of the 

 yellow-necked cateq^illar, — it may prove an effectual remedy 

 for the leaf miner. But . 



The orchards are at present threatened by the plum curculio 

 which is apparently on the increase in the State. I have visited 

 orchards all the way from York to Washington counties 

 the past few years where it has been difficult to find an apple 

 not deformed by this curculio. You are all familiar enough 

 with the crooked, one sided, dented in apples deformed by this 

 insect, but comparatively few orchard owners are yet familiar 

 with the cause. As for the remedy, — if the much needed hog 

 which is willing to do such good service in the case of the apple 

 maggot were pastured in the orchard, this useful animal would 

 devour all fallen fruit with equal relish, whether flavored with 

 apple maggots or curculio grubs. And as it is in the fallen 

 fruit the curculio devlops, such a remedy if consistently applied 

 over an extended area would prove sufficient. 



I cordially commend to the orchard owners the hog as a 

 friend of pomology. 



THE HUSK AND THE KERNEL OF RURAL LIFE. 

 Mrs. V. P. DeCoster, Buckfield. 



Every one who has read the papers lately knows that Pres.' 

 Roosevelt has appointed a commission to investigate the condi- 

 tions of country life in the United States with the object of 

 making rural sections more desirable for homes. This commis- 

 sion has already sent out circulars all over the country asking 

 questions relative to our schools, farm help, mail, express and 

 telephone conveniences, social and business conditions. They 

 will also hold meetings all over the country. 



Looking at this step from the average New England farm- 

 er's point of view, some are a little inclined to resent it, as an 

 effort to patronize us when we feel that we are as independent 

 as any one in the world and perfectly capable of looking after 

 our own affairs. On the other hand, we should take a broader 



