260 MAINE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



growth of this variety in this State, in the open air. It is a 

 late variety, and can never arrive at maturity in this State, 

 except under peculiarly favorable circumstances. 



Wm. Caldwell of Augusta, showed a dish of American shell- 

 hark Hickory nuts, well matured to all outward indications. 

 Not being provided with a nut-cracker, we were not permitted 

 to examine within. The tree producing the above, is hardy in 

 all parts of Maine, so far as the growth of the tree is concerned,, 

 and for beauty and cleanliness is not surpassed as a shade tree. 



We are advised that the preserved figs, presented by Mrs. 

 Page'of Bath, were grown in that city, on bushes four or five 

 years old, brought from North Carolina. The plants have been 

 placed in cellar in autumn, and set again in the open air in 

 spring. 



While your committee have no ambition to detain you long, 

 we feel constrained on this occasion to offer a few remarks and 

 suggestions on the general subject, though we may not be able 

 to shed upon it any new light, nor say anything but what may 

 have been well said before. 



To be satisfied that the Jruit world does make progress, we 

 need not take an observation embracing a scries of years. We 

 who had the pleasure of looking in upon the exhibition of fruits 

 the past season, at the session of the American Pomological 

 Congress, — such important local societies as the Boston Horti- 

 cultural, — the Genesee Valley Horticultural, — and the lesser 

 collections seen at our State Exhibition, and the shows in our 

 several counties, can entertain no doubts upon this point. 



That progress in this great interest is made in the nation, — 

 that new and better varieties of fruit do appear in our State, — 

 that occasionally a new specimen is laid on the tables of this 

 society, to please the eye and tickle the palates of a tasting 

 committee, — that a few active spirits, true to their patriotism, 

 are ever laboring in the good work in our midst, is cause for 

 true and deep gratulation. 



But on the subject of fruit-growing in Maine, we need •'' line 

 upon line, and precept upon precept." We cannot rest satis- 

 fied — wc must not — with the past rate of progress. 



We resolve never to be guilty of neglect of a manifest dnty^ 

 by holding our peace, so long as wc sec but here and there an 



