STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. JQl 



much consideration, and very fittinj^ on the present occasion. We 

 have here before us an exhibition of fruit that has survived thus 

 far — well into the middle of the winter, and every specimen is in 

 good condition, while car loads of fruit coming from the West, 

 have rotted long before this time. I am not going to say much 

 now — just a thought or two. I think we have encouragement in 

 the State of Maine, to plant orchards, and take care of them after 

 they are planted. I think that if you would have choice fruit, you 

 must of necessity put on from a cord to a cord and a half of dress- 

 ing. I think that the State of Maine is one of the finest portions 

 of the Union for fruit culture, and apples especially. In relation 

 to making cider, I believe in it. I think we should have plenty 

 of cider, so that we can have good, pure vinegar, instead of the 

 poor, filthy stufT we sometimes get. 



Dr. True. I do not fully understand the situation of things. 

 It seems to me that a wrong impression has been given. I 

 remarked, I think, after giving my ideal, that we could not expect 

 to raise an orchard without cultivation, and I consider that a good 

 practical standard for a farmer. I took my ideal from what I 

 actually saw in the State of New York, where I visited some, time 

 since. A gentleman whom I visited there, has an orchard which is 

 now eight years old, and I never saw better trees in my life. Last 

 year many of them had from a bushel to a barrel of apples upon 

 them, and almost all of them were bearing, and now you could 

 not buy one of those trees for $50. 



Tn setting out an orchard, a man wants first, a good plat of 

 land and well selected trees, and he also wants them set in a 

 proper manner, and if well cared for, mulched and manured, th'^y 

 will do well. You, Mr. President, know the character of the soil 

 in Oxford county ; you know how we have to work to raise an 

 orchard. I have seen trees in some parts of the State growing 

 finely almost without any exertion on the part of the owner, and if 

 I could have the same kind of soil at home to plant an orchard on, 

 I would like it very much ; but we have to work every way or 

 our trees will starve to death, because the soil does not contain 

 the elements so necessary to the growth of apples. In the towns 

 around here you have soil containing every necessary attribute 

 that is needed, and trees will grow almost spontaneously, and 

 you can raise apples without any great degree of culture ; but of 

 course culture is better. I intend to plant two acres to trees in 



