86 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



of the land as to the vast bodies of ice constantly floating near to 

 our northeastern coast, and to the steady cold northwestern winds. 

 In Florida they have a more equable climate, except in rare instances 

 like the present winter when the thermometer runs down to almost 

 zero, freezing oranges on the trees and the ground to the depth of 

 eight or ten inches. What is climatic influence? I answer, it is that 

 state of the atmosphere which develops and modifies the life and 

 growth of a plant, gives character or want of character to its fruit 

 and determines its durability. This being the case, it is perfectly 

 natural and reasonable to sui)pose that a plant, animal, or that man 

 himself would thrive best in that climate or country in which they 

 originated. Climatic influence is that state of the atmosphere which 

 makes the Baldwin apple in the coast towns of Maine less in size 

 and somewhat wanting in color and flavor of the same apple raised 

 in the interior or cential portions of the State ; it is that influence 

 which makes the Baldwin in some portions of Piscataquis County a 

 hard, sour cooking apple, in some parts of Washington County a 

 medium-sized, insipid and greenish colored apple, in Kennebec, 

 Franklin, Androscoggin, Cumberland and a few other counties a 

 large-sized and beautifullv colored fruit and nice to eat when you 

 can obtain nothing better ; it is that influence which makes the same 

 apple raised in Massachusetts a little earlier and softer in texture, 

 in Western New York a still larger and richer colored fruit and in 

 central Illinois nothing but a fall apple. I am aware that I am 

 treading on dangerous ground and that the facts will not always bear 

 out the above statement, that the same results are frequently- due to 

 soil composition and soil conditions, but the general law holds good 

 that climate marks a broader and a deeper influence on a variety 

 than soil. 



But I must come directly to the subject matter under discussion, 

 viz : — the climatic line of fruit culture in Maine. Is this an absurd 

 question? Has it been demonstrated beyond doubt that there are 

 limits to fruit culture in Maine? If so, where? Can we draw a line 

 anywhere in our State and say to fruit culture "thus far canst thou 

 go and no farther?" If such a line can be drawn, who is bold enough 

 to execute it, and where can he commence and whei-e end? There is 

 a prevailing opinion that the 45th degree of latitude is about the 

 average northern limit to successful fruit culture in Maine, and this 

 opinion is founded on our present knowledge of and our present 

 development of the business. The facts will bear me out in saying 



