32 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



While encouraging the planting of more fruit trees let us be careful 

 to warn all, that the enthusiasm must reach farther than the mere 

 planting. AVe cannot expect to raise choice fruit without constant 

 care. The increasing depredations of insects must be met with 

 increased vigilance. We have enough poor fruit ; what we want is 

 a superior article, that will sell for remunerative prices, even in 

 season of plenty. Last fall when apples were hardly worth picking 

 in some orchards in New England, we knew of Maine-grown apples 

 being sold in Boston for five dollars a barrel. To get the highest 

 price we must raise the best varieties, and pack onl\' choice specimens, 

 well pressed down in clean barrels. 



A slack, lazy, shiftless man will never make much money by 

 orcharding. With the enemies we now have to contend, a man con- 

 not lounge in the shade and make a fortune raising fruit. He must 

 keep up a constant warfare and keep himself well posted on the best 

 methods of cultivating and enriching his land and fighting the 

 enemies. 



Although the apple is our most important fruit, we must not ignore 

 the smaller fruits and we propose at this meeting to give a little time 

 to the consideration of the best varieties and methods of cultivation 

 of some of these. So short a time is necessary- after planting straw- 

 berries, raspberries and blackberries before we have a full crop, that 

 many of our farmers now see the advantage of at least supplying 

 their own tables with the small fruits. 



It is wonderful how the contagion spreads in a neighborhood when 

 some one begins the raising of these fruits and demonstrates how 

 much easier it is to raise their own berries than it is to range the 

 woods and fields for an inferior article. I have no doubt the time is 

 near at hand when acres of small fruits will be planted for market, 

 as we have the same advantage in these as in apples ; thej' come to 

 market after the southern-grown fruit is gone and prices have ad- 

 vanced. 



One of the most important subjects to be considered at this time is 



that of obtaining horticultural statistics for the benefit of the grower. 

 He should be informed of the probable yield of the different kinds of 

 fruit and the consequent probable demands for the same, and thus be 

 prepared to sell at a fair price. The fruit dealers keep themselves 

 prett\' well informed on the condition of the crop of the country and 

 are frequently able to take advantage of those who are not posted. 

 There is a chance for loss in two ways : one in selling too low, and 



