STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 7 



would pay liberally for the work. But a good variety, hardier 

 than the Cuthbert, is much needed in Maine. 



Blackberries were plenty wherever there were bushes to bear 

 them, and they were of excellent quality. The Snyder and 

 Agawam were both large and delicious. They should be more 

 generally grown. 



Currants bore finely, but gooseberries were injured by the 

 frost in many cases. 



MEETINGS OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 



There have been two meetings of the Executive Committee 

 during the year. The first was held at the Cony House, 

 Augusta, January 19, being also the meeting for closing up 

 the affairs of the society for the previous year. The second 

 was held at the Elm House, Auburn, July 7. At the former 

 meeting the work for the year was outlined and preliminary 

 arrangements were made for a Summer Meeting and the Annual 

 Meeting and Exhibition. 



THE INSECT SITUATION. 



There has been and is the deepest solicitude among fruit 

 growers over the insect situation in Maine. Fruit trees have 

 been carefully examined for insects, and it would seem from 

 the reports sent in that never before were the fruit trees so 

 badly infected. Fortunately these insects were not the most 

 troublesome, and when found they have been destroyed. This 

 is the chief lesson the authorities have endeavored to teach, and 

 it is gratifying to note the success thus far. The brown-tail 

 moths have been largely under control, though they have made 

 their appearance in many towns in the southwestern part of the 

 State, along the coast and in some interior towns. They have 

 not been numerous enough as yet to seriously injure our fruit 

 trees. The danger threatens more and more, and the duty of 

 every one to protect his own trees becomes of the highest impor- 

 tance. The presence of any insect pest should be reported 

 promptly to the authorities, and there should be the most com- 

 plete co-operation with them. No gypsy moths have yet been 

 reported in the State, but we may expect to find more or less 

 when careful search comes to be made. Nor has there been 

 reported any San Jose scale. Many of our orchards are already 



