REVIEW OF THE fEAR. 



Concerning the fruit interests of Maine, the past year has been 

 remarkable chiefly for the uneven distribution of the crop and 

 for the severe attacks of the forest tent-caterpillar. 



Many of the best orchards in the State failed to produce a 

 crop this year while others produced an abundant crop. For 

 instance, one of the largest orchards in Kennebec county pro- 

 duced barely 300 barrels of fruit, while the orchards of Aroos- 

 took county were burdened. One firm in Presque Isle shipped 

 more than 1,500 barrels. There is little doubt that the reason 

 for this irregularity in the fruiting of Maine orchards, lies 

 primarily, in the lack of proper care ; the trees were allowed to 

 overbear in 1896 and were so weakened that few fruit-buds 

 were formed during the next year or so. On this account little 

 attention w^as given to tillage, pruning or spraying, and when 

 the caterpillars came in 1897 and 1898, the trees were still 

 further weakened. Therefore, even though apparently free 

 from disease and insect attack this year, there was a lack of buds 

 for producing the desired results. In general, those orchards 

 which have received the same care during the unproductive 

 years as when a full crop was expected, have repaid that care in 

 this year when fruit was scarce and prices were high. 



In many parts of Kennebec, Franklin and Oxford counties, 

 the orchards were seriously attacked by both forest and apple 

 tree tent caterpillars. The timely use of Paris green, however, 

 in most cases proved an effectual means of protection. In Ken- 

 nebec county a band of paper placed around the trunks of the 

 trees, and covered with a mixture of lard and sulphur, proved an 

 effective barrier to the half-grown caterpillars which migrate 

 from the forest or from neighboring trees. 



The crop of small fruits was seriously reduced by the long 

 drought of the summer, but, as with the orchard fruits, those 

 plantations which were thoroughly tilled and cared for, gave 

 satisfactory returns. Of the newer strawberries, Clyde and Glen 



