120 STATE rOMOLOC.ICAL bOCIETY. 



that lie has done some effective work the past season for the tem- 

 perance reform by cutting down and clearing up a large numl)er of 

 these old ''naturals" that were beyond the redem()tion of the graft, 

 and yet too tenacious of vitality to die of their own accord, and 

 wliich annually persisted in bearing their annual crops^of gnarly ap- 

 ples not worth j)icking for feeding to stock or swine. These trees 

 were near old cellars and cumbering the best of soil, showing the}' 

 were planted about the early farm-houses of this section, 



iMore care is taken in planting out trees than formerly. The 

 ground, as a rule, receives a previous preparation, and the trees are 

 carefully selected and carefully handled and planted. They are 

 usuallv well manao:ed bv manurino^ and cultivatino; the land between 

 the rows, and if on sward ground they are kept well mulched. 



The borers with us are on the increase, and require vigilant look- 

 ing after twice a year at least. Bark lice are far too common, and 

 the caterpillar and web-worm more or less troublesome every year. 

 There are many other drawbacks, so the life of the apple man and 

 the fruit grower is not one of an allTintense delight. On the other 

 hand, good care, careful attention and judicious cultivation are duly 

 rewarded. 



There is more attention given than formerly to pears and small 

 fruits each year. There is no rapid growth or marked excitement, 

 but a slow, careful, increasing attention. One of the lecturers at our 

 Farmers' Institute next week will treat of strawberries ; another of 

 raspberries and blackberries, and we venture to say of their remarks 

 that they will be listened to closely and their teachings carefully 

 treasured up in earnest and interested hearts, and in years- succeed- 

 ing their good points will be woven into practice. These two lec- 

 turers are practical men in the subjects they speak about — the one 

 from Knox, and the other from Waldo counties. 



There is a tendenc}' to grow more winter apples. Our local mar- 

 kets are over-stocked with earh' fall, fall and late fall apples. There 

 is also a tendency to grow a better suppl}' of greater variety of fruits 

 for home use, and home sale — for supply of the raiser's table, and 

 that of the village and city resident. There is more studying up the 

 subject, consulting the reports of this Society, and interest in the 

 fruit exhibits at our fairs. It is found that the Maine-grown straw- 

 berry always brings a good price, as most of the crop comes after 

 the western supply is stale or out of the market. Our Maine ber- 

 ries, fresh from the vines, must always bring a fair — even large 



