STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 61 



that can befall the orchardist to grow too many sorts. I noticed in 

 my work this winter where there were twenty- barrel lots, ten of them 

 would be Baldwins, the other ten would comprise from eight to ten 

 different varieties. Now, all the profit in that lot of apples was in 

 the first ten barrels. 



And now, if in preparing this paper, I have offered one thought or 

 suggestion that will be of any benefit to any one here present, I shall 

 feel well repaid for preparing the same. 



The following essay was then read by Mr. D. H. Knowlton of 

 Farmington, Treasurer of the Society. 



NOTIONS— POMOLOGICAL AND OTHERWISE. 

 By D. H. Knowltox. 



Several influences have been at work in Maine during the last 

 thirty years, which have resulted in largely developing our fruit pro- 

 ductions. Previous to that time there were many notable failures in 

 certain lines of fruit culture, but true, earnest pomologists had estab- 

 lished the fact that Maine possessed certain natural conditions of soil 

 and climate, particularh* favorable for the production of the very 

 best fruit. This fact was believed b}' many, previous to that time, 

 but somehow the farmers generally did not imagine that their own 

 farms were adapted to the production of fruit. Nor did the}' realize 

 that fruit growing for the market would ever become a very impor- 

 tant feature of our agricultural industries. Our natural conditions 

 having been found to be favorable, the work began. There was 

 much to do, for although the conditions referred to were favorable, 

 there was little knowledge of varieties and their adaptation to these 

 conditions. The State Board of Agriculture, through the medium of 

 its excellent reports, was one of the earliest organized efforts to pro- 

 mote the interest of fruit growing. Several local societies were 

 organized and by their public discussions were very valuable aids to 

 the farmers among whom they were held. It was about this time the 

 Maine Pomological and Horticultural Societ}' was organized. It 

 numbered among its members some of the most successful fruit 

 growers in the State, and duiing its existence rendered most valua- 

 ble service to the State. For some reason the Society ceased to 

 exist and its records were lost, after a few years of active work. It 

 was not till 1873 that the Maine State Pomological Society was or- 

 ganized and fully equipped for active duties. Under the leadership 



