REPORT OF the; COMMISSIONER. 9 



A cursory view shows that many orchards are left unpruned. 

 uncultivated, and unfertilized, — a quick prey to disease and in- 

 sect pests. Planted in hope, grown in increasing neglect, starv- 

 ing, scraggly, unkempt, a symbol of unthr if tineas, many an apple 

 tree stands today, by wall or in the open, doomed to an early and 

 disgraceful end. And the armies of tent caterpillars and brown- 

 tail moths are marching on,, feeding, devouring, destroying! 

 How long. Oh ! how long, are orchard trees to suffer such neg- 

 lect ! 



The price of apples by the barrel or box at the farm was 

 about doulble that of 1912. An orchard Institute of two days 

 was held in March in the city of Auburn, under the auspices of 

 the Auburn Fruit Growers' Association, the Auburn Board of 

 Trade and this Department. Exipert speakers from without an.l 

 within the state took part in the proceedings. The attendance 

 was very large, the enthusiasm high, and the influence of the 

 meeting was felt far and wide for better fruit. 



The Maine State Pomological Society held its Annual Exhi- 

 bition in Lewiston in November. It was pronounced the best 

 meeting ever held by the Society. Considering the shortage of 

 the crop, the exhibit of fruit was large and fine. The Annual 

 Exrhibition made by the Bangor Chamber of Commerce was 

 large and contained much fine frudt. Reference is had to the 

 report of the State Horticulturist and also to the report of the 

 Maine State Pomological Socie'ty. 



SMALL FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. 



The soil and climate of Maine are adapted to the growing of 

 small fruits and vegetables. In their season, ail such needed to 

 supply the home market might be and ought to be raised in 

 Maine. The same is true of fancy apples for eating. Large 

 shipments of vegetables, small fruits and fancy apples from out- 

 side sources are brought into the state and the importation 

 seems to be on the increase. There is, however, an awakening 

 interest among farmers living near cities in the value of the 

 home markets and we believe the time will soon come when the 

 large sums of money now sent out of the state for such articles 

 of food will be paid out to our own people for our own 

 pro'ducts. 



