130 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



knot has not, I believe, been fully defined as yet ; the only remedy I 

 know is to cut off the affected branches and burn them ; and I think 

 it is the only safe cure. One thing that the plum demands with 

 good care and dressing is its most favorite natural soil, clay, to 

 insure good crops and bring the longest life and health to the tree. 

 Why I have said this much about the plum is because it is a fruit of so 

 much value and character, and so little has been written about it that I 

 wanted to bring it to 3'our consideration, that it might take its place 

 as equal to other fruits of our State ; for we all know the fruit of the 

 plum is much sought after and in numerous localities can not be had 

 at any price. 



Orono^ Penobscot Couyity, 



FRUIT CULTURE IN PISCATAQUIS COUNTY. 

 Letter from Mr. H. li. TjELAND. 

 Mr. Samuel L. Boardman, 



Sec'y of Maine State Pomological Society. 



My Dear Sir: I am sincerely obliged to 3'ou for the invitation to be 

 present and take part at the winter meeting of the Pomological So- 

 ciety to be held at Farmington. It would give me much pleasure to 

 meet friends who, like myself, are interested in fruit growing. I must, 

 however, deny myself that pleasure, although realizing that much 

 might at that meeting be learned that I feel m3'self very much in 

 need to know. 



Of the present condition and future outlook of fruit growing in 

 Piscataquis County there is not much to l)e said that would be of 

 general interest to those outside the limits of the count}'. Our 

 farmers have not generally shown an}' special interest in fruit grow- 

 ing beyond the planting out of trees that the persistent western tree 

 vender has cajoled them (too often through misrepresentations as to 

 merits of new varieties) into giving orders for. It has too often 

 been stated to need repeating that as a rule western fruit trees are a 

 failure in Piscataquis County. Exception can be made of several 

 of the extremely hardy varieties among which are the Duchess of 

 Oldenburgh, and of more recent introduction the Haas and Wealthy. 

 While the tree venders are pushing these varieties and other iron 

 clads our villagers and to a considerable extent farm orchards are 



