Bvolution of Iborticulture 



Records are extant of the setting of 

 orchards in Saco, York, and in other 

 plantations in Maine, dating almost from 

 their existence as centres of civilization. 

 In Connecticut, there are also scattered 

 notices of fruit trees still lingering as 

 relics of ancient orchards. 



In this connection, the following cor- 

 respondence with Governor John Win- 

 throp, Jr., is of interest. George Fen wick 

 of Say brook, writes May 6, 1641 : "I 

 haue receaued the trees yow sent me, for 

 which I hartily thanke yow. If I had 

 any thing heare that could pleasure yow 

 yow should frely command it. I am pret- 

 tie well storred with chirrie & peach trees, 

 & did hope I had had a good nurserie of 

 aples, of the aples yow sent me last yeare, 

 but the wormes have in a manner dis- 

 troyedthem all as they came up." 



John Mason also writing from Saybrook 

 in 1654, says to the Governor, " forget not 

 to prouide for the planting some trees at 

 spring." In the following year he wrote 

 to Mrs. Winthrop : " I haue sent ten apple 

 104 



