40 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



were formei'ly. I have observed that when the Blue Jays visited 

 the corn crib in the winter, there were but very few caterpillars 

 the next season. I have frequently seen them picking the eggs 

 from the twigs in the winter. The common apple worm is very 

 destructive to our apple crop. I believe the hog the best remedy 

 for this that can be had. If put in an orchard, he eats up all the 

 wormy fruit that falls. Domestic fowls, turkeys, hens and 

 chickens will also do good service in the orchard, for they are 

 always on the alert for insects. Those who contemplate setting 

 out young orchards should select a good soil and a sheltered 

 situation ; and should remember also, that there is little land in 

 Maine that will not be benefitted by a liberal application of manure. 

 If this be neglected at the outset no subsequent culture will atone 

 for its lack. 



Few pears are raised in Franklin county. They require a strong, 

 moist and rich soil. Shelter is also of great service to the pear. 

 Its leaves are tender when partly grown, and easily bruised by 

 high winds. We should select the hardiest varieties to raise in 

 this State. The Goodale, is very highly recommended, of large 

 size, excellent quality, and a good bearer, trees hardy. The 

 Nickerson is spoken very highly of as being a good bearer, and 

 of excellent quality. 



The cranberry is one of the most profitable of all the small fruits, 

 and any one who has a location suitable for its culture, possesses 

 a very valuable piece of property. The best location I believe to 

 be where the soil is peat, two or three feet in depth, and where the 

 surroundings are such that during the summer months the water 

 can be drained off one foot below the surface, and at the same 

 time such, that water can be let on in a few hours, in a sufiicient 

 quantity at any season of the year, to cover the surface from four 

 to six inches in depth ; and also in the vicinity of good sand. In 

 preparing the soil, the surface should be removed down to the 

 peat ; it should then be covered with at least three inches of sand. 

 In selecting plants, care should be taken to use such as are known 

 to produce good crops. The month of May is the best time to 

 transplant the vines. The water at the time of setting of the 

 plants should be nearly even with the surface and remain so for a 

 few days, and then be drawn off gradually. I have known the berry 

 sown, and vines raised from the seed, but I would not advise this 

 method, if vines can be procured. The first season care should be 

 taken to keep out all grass and weeds ; if possible, they should in 



