STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 63 



We grow very fine fruit in Maine. But the standard of excel- 

 lence in our fruit is susceptible of great improvements, and we 

 should take pains to bring them about. We need to-day a more 

 intimate knowledge of the many varieties that are adapted to our 

 climate. We want better sorts of apples than we already have — 

 for instance, a sort or sorts that will combine more of the good qual- 

 ities in one tree. Fruftt-growing in Maine is an industry represent- 

 ing a great deal of wealth, and is prosecuted by a very intelligent 

 class of people. But the cause of this slow progress of improve- 

 ment, is that orcharding differs from other industries. It requires a 

 number of years to bring orchards to maturity, and they are planted 

 onl}- with old and well-known sorts. No seedling orchards are now 

 permitted to grow up and come into bearing. Thus no advance- 

 ment is to be looked for in this direction. 



How shall these valuable and desirable improvements be brought 

 about? They can only resnlt from careful and pains-taking experi- 

 ments together with an intimate knowledge of the subject. But the 

 propagation and experimenting with new sorts is too costly for one 

 man to do alone. I think that this matter deserves the immediate 

 attt-ntion of our legislators. They should make a suitable appro- 

 priation for the establishment of a station for the propagation and 

 testing of new sorts. It will meet with the approval of the 

 whole people. They are interested in fruit and want to learn. 

 Pllxperiments and facts recorded by those in charge of such stations 

 will be read with an eager interest. It will give a stimulus to the 

 fruit industry. Fruit gardens will be multiplied. The coming apple 

 and pear will make their appearance. Fruits, that grow in other 

 countries, adapted to our climate, will be tested here, and valuable 

 acquisitions will be the result. This is practicable, and can be 

 immediately put in operation. Our nurseries could lend much aid 

 at a small cost as they have hundreds of young bearing trees, they 

 gladly would devote to the purpose, that could be top-grafted and 

 immediatly brought into bearing so that every feature of tree and 

 fruit could be studied. 



In conclusion, whether the State lends its aid or not in this 

 improvement I hope that every fruit grower in Maine will devote 

 himself to the task of bringing out an apple as good as or better than 

 the Baldwin, a later keeper, and a hardier tree. It can be done. 

 li'sj value would be inestimable. 



