118 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Many have sold the No. 2 apples to buyers, who have not been 

 over scrupulous about what they were buying, but in most cases 

 little has been realized from the No. 3 apples. Some have evapo- 

 rated them, others have made them into cider, and others have fed 

 them to the stock. 



PEARS. 



Although there are few pear orchards in Maine, there are many 

 pear trees, most of which have been set during the past twenty 

 years, though here and there are trees thriving that have borne their 

 annual burden of fruit during the past half century. The testimony 

 of fruit growers indicates that many varieties of this delicious fruit 

 flourish in the State. Our recent exhibitions have also borne witness 

 to the possibilities of pear culture. Pear culture cannot, as yet, be 

 said to be profitable to any great extent, though some who know 

 how to handle the fruit find its sale a source of revenue on the farm. 

 When good strong stock has been set the trees have generally been 

 found healthy ; at any rate it may be truthfully said there are no 

 diseases prevalent. 



PLUMS. 



Plums do not receive much attention at the hands of the majority 

 of farmers, though it may be said a great many have more or less 

 trees. The black-knot in the past has been so destructive, that the 

 trees now growing are unhealthy and unsightly to the beholder. 

 In this connection we call special attention to Prof. Maynard's 

 excellent lecture on "Diseases and Insects Injurious to Fruits," 

 which is published as a part of the society's annual transactions. 

 The plum-curculio has proved another annoyance in raising plums, 

 and this same lecture refers to several methods of holding them in 

 check. 



CHERRIES. 



Cherries are generally raised though they are subject to the attacks 

 of black-knot, and the rapacity of the birds. Inasmuch as few are 

 giving special attention to the culture of cherries, the loss does not 

 seem so great. In favored localities raising cherries for the market 

 has proved profitable. 



THE SMALL FRUITS. 



The small fruits may be successfully grown in all parts of the 

 State, and it is a cause of regret to learn that by far the larger part 



