122 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



of that locality. The necessit}^ does not obtain with us, but therey 

 it does. I think the Station can do a great work for the fruit inter- 

 ests of that^locality. 



Mr. Merritt. I am delicate about speaking of that, but want to- 

 say, that for our soil and climate experiments must be made on the 

 ground. There are more plum trees in Aroostook county than in 

 the State of Maine. More commercial trees than in the State of 

 Maine. One man set out 1,000 of Moore's Arctic variet}^ They 

 are the only tree we can make successful ; or the^- are more so, we 

 say, than an}' other tree in the State. All these things need trying ; 

 I have tried various kinds of small fruit and apples, and others have 

 tried. Some die from neglect, but more from misdirected efforts 

 like pruning and setting out. Little systematic work has been done. 

 I would speak of where our fruit culture differs from that in other 

 parts of the State. The experiments there are not only with varie- 

 ties that are hardy, but varieties that will be a profitable and keep- 

 ing fruit. From my knowledge of the plum raising, I think there is. 

 no place so well adapted to plum culture as the Aroostook county^ 



This fruit growing is in its infanc}' in our county ; we need more- 

 encouragement. Experimenting means expense. Varieties that 

 you have on these tables, not any of them will grow in our county^ 

 unless the Wealthy will ; but we have apples that can be raised 

 there, particularly of the Russian varieties. 



In setting out the trees which the Station sent me, fifty-four 

 varieties of trees, I made every one of them live. Suppose one- 

 fourth of these trees turn out valuable trees ; I have raised four- 

 trees to get one, and I can set out trees that I know to be good' 

 instead of having one-fourth of an orchard ; so I consider the value 

 of these 3'oung trees to be very slight and I propose to experiment 

 on my own hook unless I can get my pa}'. 



Mr. Knowlton. In conversation with Professor Balentine, he 

 informs me that arrangements have been made b}" the Station tO' 

 compensate parties in this matter of experiments and those who are 

 necessarily at expense of time and labor will be paid. They do not 

 intend to ask men to do work for them without compensation. I 

 don't suppose they intend to pay fancy prices for services but they 

 mean to furnish material and pay a reasonable compensation for 

 uudertakins: the work. 



