STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. ^7 



country in which a wide range of varieties are propagated, the 

 multipHcity of sorts that find their way into the orchards of the 

 community is sometimes remarkable. K fine opportunity is 

 thus made for the study of varietal adaptability, but it results 

 rather disastrously so far as commercial interests are concerned. 



Now it may be that some one would like to know what sort 

 of a "program of varieties" the speaker would suggest for 

 Maine orchards. I have to admit that I do not know of any- 

 thing new to suggest nor any variety not already known to you 

 that can be named in this connection which gives promise of a 

 great future under your conditions. Note that I say "any neiv 

 variety." You have the Baldwin, the Rhode Island Greening, 

 Tompkins King, Northern Spy, Mcintosh, Hubbardston, Wag- 

 ener, and various others which are well known standard sorts 

 and which are known to be sufficiently well adapted to a large 

 part of the State to make the planting of them entirely safe as 

 a rule. With these varieties you already have the making of a 

 great future. For the northern parts of the State where hardi- 

 ness of tree is of special importance, there is the Wealthy, the 

 Northwestern, Patten Greening, Eastman, jVIalinda, Bethel and 

 other hardy sorts from which to select. 



Other varieties that are worth consideration for many sec- 

 tions but which are^iot much grown in this State, so far as I 

 am aware, are Plumb Cider, Milding, Windsor, Mother, Arctic, 

 Akin, and doubtless many others equally worthy of trial. 



There are some varieties which, I understand, have been 

 planted here quite extensively that in my judgment are of 

 exceedingly doubtful value. If you want to know it, I suppose 

 I have the Ben Davis especially in mind in making this remark. 

 It is true that the Ben Davis has been the subject of many bit- 

 ter attacks in recent years. It is a much maligned variety to 

 be sure. But I know it has some staunch friends, even here in 

 Maine — friends who insist that it is an apple of quality; that it 

 is the most profitable variety they grow, etc. Even at the 

 risk of calling down upon my head a "shower of protest;" at 

 the risk of being told that I don't know what I'm talking 

 about, I am going to advise against the planting of the Ben 

 Davis here in Maine and for the reason that I believe you 

 can do better. If the Ben Davis is your most profitable vari- 



