STATE POMOI^OGICAI. SOCIETY. 5 1 



Department of x\gricultui-e, is " long, cylindrical, tapering but 

 slightly with long stem; berries spherical, uniformly large, 

 adhering tenaciously to the short, stout pedicle; color bright 

 crimson ; skin thin, moderately tough ; flesh tender, translucent, 

 juicy; seeds medium in size and number; flavor slightly sub- 

 acid ; quality good to very good ; both for dessert in the fresh 

 state and for cooking." The variety fruited for the first time at 

 the Experiment Station this year. While the clusters were not 

 quite as large as those seen previously, the fruit was of delicious 

 quality and of superior size. 



Gooseberries. No new varieties of this fruit have come to the 

 writer's attention during the past year. For home use and for 

 market nothing is superior to the old Downing. 



Strawberries. To attempt to describe, or even to enumerate, 

 all of the new claimants to a position of popular favor would be 

 both unwise and tedious. Local conditions determine the suc- 

 cess or failure of a given variety of strawberry to a very large 

 extent. It may be said that just at this time Dorner (" Uncle 

 Jim ") comes nearest to holding first place. It is a perfect 

 flowering berry, of large size, good quality, and very productive. 

 Dunlap, New York, and Sample, are popular with many. The 

 latter is attractive in appearance and is productive, but is too 

 sour. Gibson and Brandywine should not be overlooked in 

 securing berries for the home garden. The latter is also a 

 favorite market sort with some. But with all the new varieties 

 the old Clyde and Glen Mary still hold a strong place in popular 

 affection. 



In concluding this brief report, your committee would urge 

 the members of the society to keep in mind the new things as 

 they appear; and in case novelties are urged upon them by the 

 ubiquitous tree agent, to mention the fact to the officers of the 

 society, or to the committee, for investigation. In this way only 

 can the most effective service be rendered. 



I wish to ask any member having seedling apples of local 

 importance to call my attention to these apples and forward 

 specimens to me at Orono that I may photograph them and look 

 up their history. If they are valuable, this Society wants to 

 know it. Share the good things that you happen to have in 

 your section of the State. 



