STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 5 



have no adequate idea of its efifects. The insects appeared so 

 suddenly and in such numbers as in most cases to baffle the skill 

 of the cultivators. Many persons however saved their trees by 

 extreme vigilance and neglecting for the time all other employ- 

 ment, but at an expense exceeding the value of a single crop. It 

 is gratifying to note that the most careful observations indicate 

 that this pest will not re-appear in the coming season. It was 

 fortunate that while our own crop of apples was so much reduced 

 by this cause, large quantities were brought in from other States 

 and sold at moderate prices ; but it was a novel sight to see some 

 of our extensive orchardists buying fruit for their own use. 



Pears were grown in about the usual quantity and of good 

 quality, but in the immediate vicinity of Portland the crop was 

 reduced by a violent hail storm at the time of blossoming. Grapes 

 of the varieties adapted to the climate were produced in abund- 

 ance and well ripened. Neither blight or mildew appear to have 

 affected the one or the other of these crops to any considerable 

 extent. The crop of plums was smaller than usual. The small 

 fruits and berries were abundant and received much attention in 

 cultivation. 



For more specific information in respect to the season and its 

 fruitage, reference may be had to the local reports embraced in 

 this volume, presented at the Winter Meeting in answer to a cir- 

 cular issued by the President. 



The Fourth Annual Exhibition 



of the Society was held at Waterville, on the third, fourth, fifth 

 and sixth days of October, 1876, concurrently with the annual 

 fair of the North Kennebec Agricultural Society. The two exhi- 

 bitions were entirely distinct and independent of each other, 

 though arranged by mutual agreement. The North Kennebec 

 Society generously waived its prior claim to the occupancy of the 

 new Town Hall, and its use was afforded by the town to the Pomo- 

 logical Society gratuitously. Tbe citizens of Waterville inter- 

 ested themselves liberally in behalf of the Society and by their 

 exertions contributed largely to the degree of success which at- 

 tended the exhibition. 



In making the arrangements for this exhibition the Executive 

 Committee were aware of the manifold difficulties attendant upon 

 the undertaking, — that it was a year of great political excitement 



