120 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 



Again, a study of the markets, domestic or foreign, speaking in 

 the broader sense as American and European, shows us that the 

 valuable sorts of apples called for to an extent to create anything 

 like fancy prices, ma}' be numbered upon the lingers — we might 

 almost say — of one hand. But what are the facts regarding varie- 

 ties in the orchards of Maine to-day? 



They are producing from twenty-five to one hundred varieties of 

 fruit, and the mania for varieties still goes on. If the production 

 of such a vast number of varieties of apples has been profitable in 

 the past, it certainly will not be in the future ; then, grow fewer 

 varieties and those of long keeping, productive sorts, generally' of a 

 red color and of good quality as possible. 



GOOD CULTURE. 



Another consideration which bears a prominent part in treating 

 this subject is the cultivation of our orchards. In view of the com- 

 petition and consequent depression of prices in dairy products, aris- 

 ing from the bogus butters with which the country is prett}- effect- 

 ually greased, a prominent agriculturist said the other day, while 

 lecturing to Cumberland farmers, "It behooves the dair3'meu of this 

 country to keep better cows and take better care of them and then 

 by enhanced production be enabled to cheapen production, or in 

 other words sell more butter produced at less cost, and though sold 

 for a less price, realize as much or more money — because the rela- 

 tive cost will be less — and drive the greas}' imitations out of exis- 

 tence." In point of production the same rule applies to orchard- 

 ing. 



I think most who have given thought to the subject will agree with 

 me, that one important thing that Maine orchardists need to give 

 more attention to, is better cultivation of their orchards. The 

 quantity of larger and smoother fruit is greatly increased b}' judi- 

 cious cultivation, while the quality in other ways is enhanced thereby. 

 Less trees and better cultivation, whereby larger returns with less 

 expense are obtained, mast be the watchword of the orchardist of 

 the future. 



LESS TREES AND MORE CULTIVATION. 



The rule has too long been in practice with farmers to buy and 

 set apple trees to the neglect of those already planted. The time 

 has fully come when farmers should turn their attention to better 



