MAINE STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Transactions for the Year i«gi-g2. 



INTRODUCTORY. 

 The present volume will give to the general public some idea of 

 the work of this Society, though its true measure of usefulness can 

 hardly be measured by the printed page or the spoken word. In the 

 affairs of the Society the officers have aimed at the great needs of 

 the State, and while the means would not permit of doing all these 

 needs called for, the work has been effioieot and in many cases the 

 results apparent. 



So varied are the conditions in different parts of the State, that it 

 is exceedingly difficult lo make full recognitioa of them, but there 

 has been an effort to give prominence to common truths in fruit cul- 

 ture, A careful study of all the conditions essential to fruit culture 

 has convinced the officers of the Society that fruit culture in the 

 State may be made a leading industry with profit to the grower. It is 

 to be regretted that so few grasp the possibilities of fruit culture in the 

 State. It may be due to the great conservatism of those engaged 

 in rural pursuits, that better culture and improved methods are not 

 more generally employed. By the use of these there are thousands 

 of acres in Maine, that now barely pay more than the taxes that 

 could be converted into a profitable fruit growing industry. Fruit cul- 

 ture as the leading business of the farmer is not a popular idea in 

 Maine, and sometimes as one beholds the neglected orchards it is 

 astonishing to note that, in many cases, even these for the labors 

 expended prove to be the most profitable parts of the farm. To us 

 the fact is suggestive of the grand results possible to those who 

 devote themselves to fruit growing as a leading industry. With this 

 in view it has been the aim of the Society to give special prominence 



