REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER. 5 



instkutes that were held in the fruit sections early in the year 

 have aroused an interest and enthusiasm in the orchard indus- 

 try such as we have never seen before, and farmers in all the 

 fruit sections of the State are setting out new orchards and 

 renovating their old ones. A^early 200 acres have been entered 

 for the Gregory prize, and many large orchards have been set 

 in addition to these prize acre orchards. These orchards have 

 been set with special care, and are looking well. Blanks have 

 been sent by the Department to each contestant, asking for the 

 name of the trees, the growth they have made, their general 

 appearance, the kind of crop that was planted, the method of 

 caring for it and the profit. There has been more interest 

 manifested in this one farm industry this year than for several 

 years, and much intelligent work has been done in caring for 

 the fruit. 



At the annual meeting of the State Pomological Society there 

 was a great display of very fine fruit. The amount in boxes 

 and barrels was exceptionally large, and the fruit came to the 

 show in perfect condition. Great credit is due to the ofificers 

 of the society for the attractive manner in which the display 

 was arranged. This was the largest and finest exhibition of 

 fruit ever held in the State. It is evident from this exhibition 

 that some of the farmers of ]\Iaine are taking better care of 

 their trees and know how to produce good fruit. 



A report of the orchard work and other information in rela- 

 tion to our fruit interests will be found in the report of the 

 State Entomologist, which is a part of this volume. 



INSECT PESTS. 



Tiie nurseries are carefully inspected each year, and Vv^e be- 

 lieve that the suggestions ofifered by the State Entomologist 

 and his assistant, in making these inspections, in the line of 

 growing stock free from insects and diseases, have been of 

 much assistance. Orchard inspection has been carried on as far 

 as consistent with other work. Practically all of the orchards 

 set for the Gregory prize have been inspected by a representa- 

 tive of the Department. 



The work of exterminating the gypsy and brown-tail moths 

 has been carried on in the same manner as during the previous 

 year. Great credit is due to the g>'psy moth force for their 



