114 MAINE STATE SOCIETY. 



A good orchard usually pays better than any other crop, and there- 

 fore may be considered a sure and safe investment by the capitalist. 



True it is subject to casualties like other crops. 



The last winter v^aa a very severe one and many losses have been 

 sustained. Yet we may learn by it what fruits are the most hardy 

 and the most safe to be cultivated extensively. AYe therefore in 

 future should practice accordingly. By the " Patent Office Report," 

 we learn, that the total estimated annual value of the orchard pro- 

 ducts is, in the United States, over twenty-five millions of dollars. 

 It is highly desirable that Maine like her sister New York, should 

 cultivate extensively long keeping apples for exportation to foreign 

 countries. American apples command the highest prices in Europe, 

 and may by extensive cultivation become a productive source of wealth 

 to our State. It is now well understood that apples grown in Maine 

 are of as high flavor as of any other State (of the same varieties) 

 and are noted for their long keeping qualities. 



The Curculio has this year been busy in his work of destruction 

 of fruits, and the apples have suffered in every section of our State, 

 and this and the severe winter, have materially lessened our fruit 

 crops.' 



Notwithstanding the drawbacks of this season, we think the show 

 of apples at this third annual show is decidedly superior to cither of 

 the other annual state exhibitions. 



The'committee on apples by instruction of the State Agricultural 

 Society further report : 



That there were on exhibition one bushel of excellent cranberries, 

 also a bushel basket filled with splendid cranberries on the vines ; 

 both lots were raised and exhibited by Rev. Luke P. Rand, of Orono. 



The cultivation of cranberries may be an experiment, or at least it 

 is in its infancy in this State. 



Mr. Rand states that he has been at an outlay of 2,273 dollars 

 for land, and now has under cranberry culture seventy-five acres. 



His successes and disappointments in their cultivation should be 

 known to our people, and we are happy to state that he engages to 

 furnish a more full and further statement for publication in the 

 Agricultural Report. 



Henry Little, Chairman. 



