28 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



than can be obtained from the printed page, and with an enthusiasm 

 which we hope will last at least until our tables are abundantly sup- 

 plied with fresh fruits in their season. 



The labor of disseminating a practical knowledge of horticulture 

 must be largely a gratuitous one. The men who have done the 

 most to awaken a greater interest in horticultural matters have been 

 prompted by beneficent motives and without hope of pecuniary 

 reward. I think yon will find, as a rule, that those who take the 

 most interest in such matters are generous, whole-souled men, 

 ready to impart any knowledge they may have gained, and who 

 have no desire to protect their new discoveries by a patent right. 



We are not here to proclaim that every one can make a fortune in 

 a few years b}^ setting a few fruit trees or starting a garden of small 

 fruits. We do claim that a man who has a love for the work and 

 faith in the calling, who will not be discouraged at every failure, 

 and ready to change his occupation whenever low prices prevail, 

 will be well compensated for his time and the money invested. 

 There is another point we wish to press, that is the raising of more 

 fruit for the table. Some may call it a luxury that they cannot 

 afford, but if it was known how easily blackberries, raspberries and 

 currants can be raised, they need make no objections on that 

 account. Blackberries will bear bountifully although badly neg- 

 lected, and all of us know that the currant was in nearly every 

 farmer's garden before the advent of the currant worm. This 

 enemy is now so easily overcome, that old favorite should be 

 universally planted again. 



But to return, is it a luxury? We claim that while it may be a 

 luxury it is certainly a judicious economy. It is generally admitted 

 that during the summer months, no diet is so refreshing and whole- 

 some as one in which fresh fruits and vegetables play an important 

 part. Our farming population has the reputation of living on the 

 least varied diet of any class of people, and this too, when with a 

 little trouble and expense their tables could be supplied with the 

 freshest and best of garden products. 



We think there will be a larger area set with small fruits the com- 

 ing spring than ever before, and we would warn beginners against 

 spending much money for new varieties and novelties, which fre- 

 quently are no better than the standard sorts and often worthless. 

 The Russian mulberry, under the name of "tree blackberry" and 

 the "gooseberry tree" are specimens of these, and are not wanted 

 in Maine. 



