132 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



are hardy and rapid growers and well adapted to Maine ; such as 

 Ilurlbut, N. Y. Pippin, Fameuse, Ben Davis, Talman's Sweet, 

 Garden Sweet, Red Astrachan, &c., while there are many others, 

 too numerous to mention, that are not adapted to our cold climate, 



I have an orchard of 160 pear trees, some of which were planted 

 eight years ago, but the most of them within two years. I have 

 raised nearly all of them from the seeds. So far I am very much 

 pleased with the prospect of raising pears. My trees are stand- 

 ards. Six years ago I set thirty dwarfs, which have proved a 

 failure — nearly all having died, while my standards set at the same 

 time and with the same care have fruited the last two years. I 

 have about 1500 nursery pear trees. 



My grapes did very well the past season. 



In great haste, yours, 



Asa F. Severance. 



REPORT FROM PISCATAQUIS COUNTY. 



East Sangerville, January 16, 1877. 



Z. A. Gilbert, President of Maine State Pomological Society: 



Dear Sir : — Yours of January 1st, desiring information in regard 

 to the conditions and progress of fruit culture in this section, 

 (central Piscataquis), is received. 



The apple crop is above an average. I estimate it 25 per cent, 

 above. 



Of pears very few are raised, more attention is being given to 

 their production than formerly. 



Of plums and cherries the field is surrendered pretty much to 

 their enemies, the curculio and black knot. 



Currants and gooseberries are nearly all ruined by the currant 

 worm. 



Of grapes nearly every family has a vine or two. The Dela- 

 ware and Early Hudson are the earliest, consequently the most 

 approved varieties. 



Our orchards have not been devastated by any unusual insect 

 depredation. The ravages of caterpillars have been less than 

 usual. 



Of young trees a small percentage were injured or killed during 

 the winter or spring by the cleaving of the bark from the trunk 

 near the ground. Cause, supposed to be too early starting of the 

 sap, followed by freezing. (Please give the matter attention.) 



