SECRETARY'S REPORT. J 59 



The manure m-ide by them, was ample renumeration for the labor 

 of taking care of them. 



From this statement it appears, that the pork cost a fraction less 

 than eight cents per pound, at the high rates at which the feed was 

 purchased. If this can be done in such circumstances, is it supposable, 

 that the farmers, on the waste of their farms and less expensive feed, 

 cannot raise pork at a fair profit ?" 



[The general tenor of what has been received on the sub- 

 ject of stock, together with what I have seen of the statements 

 of competitors at our Shows, suggests the idea that the 

 attempts at improvement which are being made by some of our 

 farmers, by an apparently indiscriminate crossing of breeds, 

 are injudicious, and will probably result in failure. The better 

 way is, after selecting Devons, Short Horns, or others, to keep 

 the grades of each breed measurably distinct, as a careless 

 mixing up would probably soon result in mongrels, no wliit 

 better than our natives now are.] 



Fruit. 



That the State of Maine is well adapted to the profitable 

 culture of fruit has long been demonstrated, yet its importance 

 as a leading branch of husbandry is just beginning to be felt, 

 and corresponding exertions to be made. The early settlers 

 brought with them seeds, and thousands of orchards were the 

 result; but not being grafted, the fruit was generally inferior, 

 and mostly used for the manufacture of cider which then found 

 a ready market at remunerating prices. Among the great num- 

 ber of seedling trees thus grown are to be found some bearing 

 fruit of high excellence and well deserving extensive propaga- 

 tion. At a later period, as the value of good table fruit became 

 gradually appreciated, attention was given to grafting the old 

 orchards with choice varieties, and to the planting of new ones 

 with trees properly budded or grafted in the nursery, but the 

 progress was very slow until a comparatively recent date. The 

 replies now show that fruit culture has repeived an impetus, the 

 effects of which must ere long be felt in the production of in- 

 creased quantities, and of consequent profit to the growers; 

 though it is to be feared that not all the attempts made will 



