30 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



• 



year for mutual exchange of opinion and discussion ; some way 

 should be devised for bringing the Societ\' into nearer relation to the 

 masses of the people. I do not propose a remedy for this, but leave 

 it, with the other topics presented, for your consideration, not doubt- 

 ing that your combined wisdom will be equal to the emergency. 



Tlie President's address was referred to a committee, consisting 

 of Messrs. R. H. Gardiner, S. R. Sweetser and Orrin McP'adden, 

 with instructions to consider the same and report such action as they 

 deem proper on the several subjects therein mentioned. 



Messrs. S. R. Sweetser, Levi Russell and J. M. Carpenter, were 

 appointed a committee to examine the fruit exhibited at this meet- 

 ing, and report thereon. 



The following paper was read, in the absence of the writer, by J. 

 M. Larrabee, Esq., of Gardiner: 



OBSERVATIOXS OX FRUIT CULTURE IN MAINE. 

 By J. W. Lang, of Bowdoiiiham. 



Orcharding is a vast subject, and one which, as a whole, could re- 

 ceive but a cursory glance in the limited time assigned to this paper. 

 Without attempting even an outline of the whole, I shall endeavor 

 to present a few important points in" a practical manner. 



The soil is the source from which plants derive their chief sup- 

 port. It is something more than a mere pedestal for plants and 

 trees to stand upon. It is a supporter in several senses ; it supports 

 in the sense of holding up ; in the sense of maintaining and feed- 

 ing ; in the sense of secreting, supplying and keeping reserve force. 

 It contains the power of cx)-operating with the tree or plant in trans- 

 forming itself, inert and useless otherwise, into active and useful 

 forms. The soil is the first field for operation in fruit culture. It 

 is also the last that can safely be neglected. It is the last to fail if 

 intelligently handled. Any well-drained soil is good for apple trees, 

 or other fruit trees. Well drained, not only naturally but artificial!}' 

 except in those soils where nature has, in fitting them expresslv 

 for fruit trees, spoiled them for almost anything else. A porous 

 subsoil or well-laid underdrains are demanded. But we must not 

 stop at well underdraining, for thcj soil should be further fitted for 

 parting with surplus water 1iy thorough pulverization : and kept so 

 by judicious mulching. The soil must be prepared thus for the es- 

 cape of water and the entrance of air. It is then ready to be fer- 



