65 



We should plan for novelty and attractiveness. How 

 many pick out a few firsts from a pile and leave the most 

 of the pile for seconds. There are many ways in which we 

 must change if we are to be successful. We have our in- 

 sect foes here, fungus diseases, while our foes are not al- 

 ways the same as those of the West, they are all alike in- 

 jurious. There are over 500 kinds of different insect pests 

 known to attack the apple. 



When we meet the requirements of the market fruit 

 growing in Massachusetts will be a different proposition 

 from what it is to-day, and the Western men will find that 

 there is no market for them in Massachusetts." 



DISCUSSION 



What is the very best method of combating the rail- 

 road worm or apple maggot? 



It is a very difficult insect to control. One of the 

 most difficult because of the peculiarities in its life. It is 

 a thoroughly protected insect. We find it under different 

 conditions at different times. At some points it is very 

 vulnerable but it has very few vulnerable points. There 

 are but one or two Suggestions that I can make. There is 

 a period when the maggot is leaving the apples and going 

 into the ground and while it is in the ground, when it is 

 less protected from attack than at any other time. The 

 maggot is in the fallen fruit and by allowing hogs and 

 fowls, or both, to run through under the trees that they 

 may pick up the fallen fruit, thus getting the maggots, you 

 will be able to kill the next brood to a large degree. A 

 little light cultivation under the trees would cause no in- 

 jury to the trees while it would aid in getting out the rail- 

 road worms just below the surface, but it is a very hard in- 

 sect to combat. 



How soon after the fruit falls before the maggot emer- 

 ges from it? 



It may be five minutes or it may be five days. 



Mr. Fisk of Grafton. Some varieties of apples used to 

 grow fine but of late years are so full of nubs, that they 

 are not fit for anything. It seems to be in certain varieties, 

 have seen it in the Northern Spy. 



Dr. Fernald. In the past five years I have had many ap- 

 ples sent in which have slight holes here and there. I cut 

 the apple right through the center and have discovered what 



