REPORT OF STATE HORTICULTURIST. 47 



State, we certainly should increase our small fruit planting. An 

 effort should be made to supply berries in rotation through the 

 summer at reasonable prices, so that the desire for such fruit 

 shall be constantly increasing. In this rotation the currant 

 has its place as fresh fruit and as a by-product in jam, jelly, 

 conserve, etc. 



Our growers have been troubled very little with mildew as 

 yet and the worst pests that we have to contend with are the 

 gooseberry fruit-fly and the currant worm. 



Probably the biggest handicap to the production of all small 

 fruits on a larger scale is the lack of cheap labor available for 

 picking purposes. No doubt in sections suitable to the produc- 

 tion of small fruits, and there are many in this state, coopera- 

 tive associations could be formed to very good advantage, and 

 help out especially in looking after the labor situation, and in 

 grading the product. 



Auburn Fruit Conference. 



The third annual conference of the fruit growers of western 

 Maine was held in Auburn on February 23, 24 and 25, 191 5, 

 under the direction of the Department of Agriculture, Auburn 

 Fruit Growers' Association, and Auburn Board of Trade. Un- 

 fortunately the weather conditions were most unfavorable, so 

 that the attendance was not as large as had been hoped. Nearly 

 375 people registered and many growers were present during 

 the entire session. More of the local men were utilized in the 

 program than at the former meeting, but we had several speak- 

 ers from outside the state including I. I. Margeson of West- 

 wood, Mass., John C. Orcutt of Boston, Mass., and G. V. 

 Branch of Washington. The Round Table discussion was 

 very successful and much real benefit was derived from it. A 

 few of the discussions and lectures are printed in this report 

 for the benefit of those who were not present and for reference 

 to those who were there. Following is the program: 



Tuesday, February 2^, y.r^ P. M. 

 Registration. 



Address, Hon. A. W. Fowles, Mayor of Auburn 



.Address, . H. L. Keyser, Greene 



Small Fruits, I. I. Margeson, Westwood, Mass. 



