120 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



that he has done some effective work the past season for the tem- 

 perance reforra by cutting down and clearing up a large number of 

 these old "naturals" that were beyond the redemption of the graft, 

 and yet too tenacious of vitality to die of their own accord, and 

 which annually persisted in bearing their annual crops of gnarly ap- 

 ples not worth picking for feeding to stock or swine. These trees 

 were near old cellars and cumbering the best of soil, showing they 

 were planted about the early farm-houses of this section. 



More care is taken in planting out trees than formerly. The 

 ground, as a rule, receives a previous preparation, and the trees are 

 carefully selected and carefully handled and planted. They are 

 usually well managed by manuring and cultivating the land between 

 the rows, and if on sward ground they are kept well mulched. 



The borers with us are on the increase, and require vigilant look- 

 ing after twice a year at least. Bark lice are far too common, and 

 the caterpillar and web- worm more or less troublesome every Aear. 

 There are man}' other drawbacks, so the life of the apple man and 

 the fruit grower is not one of an all intense delight. On the other 

 hand, good care, careful attention and judicious cultivation are duly 

 rewarded. 



There is more attention given than formerly to pears and small 

 fruits each year. There is no rapid growth or marked excitement, 

 but a slow, careful, increasing attention. One of the lecturers at our 

 Farmers' Institute next week will treat of strawberries ; another of 

 raspberries and blackberries, and we venture to saj' of their remarks 

 that the3' will be listened to closel}' and their teachings carefully 

 treasured up in earnest and interested hearts, and in years succeed- 

 ing their good points will be woven into practice. These two lec- 

 turers are practical men in the subjects they si>eak about — the one 

 from Knox, and the other from Waldo counties. 



There is a tendency to grow more winter apples. Our local mar- 

 kets are over-stocked with early fall, fall and late fall apples. There 

 is also a tendency to grow a better suppl}' of greater variety of fruits 

 for home use, and home sale — for supply of the raiser's table, and 

 that of the village and city resident. There is more studying up the 

 subject, consulting the reports of this Societ}', and interest in the 

 fruit exhibits at our fairs. It is found that the Maine-grown straw- 

 berry always brings a good price, as most_^of the crop comes after 

 the western supply is stale or out oi the market. Our Maine ber- 

 ries, fresh from the vines, must always bring a fair — even large 



