56 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



endured, while in the nursery and during several years, all the 

 rigors and vicissitudes of our climate. 



3d. Because, iu the case of such varieties as succeed well 

 when grafted in the nursery, Maine grown trees have the advan- 

 tage over others of being acclimated, be that advantage great or 

 small. 



4th. Because the trees sold here in competition with those of 

 home growth, are almost universally propagated by a method 

 which does not, and in the nature of the case, cannot, produce 

 trees so well adapted to our needs as those which are grafted or 

 budded upon a whole seedling root. 



At the close of Mr. Goodale's address, the following paper by 

 N. R. Pike, Esq., of Winthrop, (who was unavoidably absent) was 

 read by the Secretary : 



The subject — "Shall Maine groto her own Fruit Trees?" — is one 

 of much importance to the State, and it cannot be otherwise than 

 that great good will arise from its discussion. I will not at this 

 time notice the vast amount of money sent out of this State for 

 trees, which might and should be kept in Maine, but will give a 

 few of the many other reasons why Maine should grow her own 

 trees. 



Fifteen years experience in growing nursery stock in Maine, has 

 demonstrated the fact to my satisfaction, that trees can be success- 

 fully grown in this State. And experience, I think, has also dem- 

 onstrated the fact that we are far more successful with Maine 

 grown trees than with those procured from other States. And we 

 have reason to congratulate ourselves that light is breaking in this 

 direction. 



I will now notice some of the reasons referred to, why Maine 

 grown trees are more likely to succeed with us than those from 

 large establishments, situated in a milder climate, or under circum- 

 stances calculated to force trees in growth far beyond what our 

 soil and climate will warrant. A tree or shoot making a free 

 growth, is as much coarser celled than a moderately growing tree, 

 as the growth is greater. All trees are made up of cells and cel- 

 lular tissue, and it is obvious that the larger the cells, the less 

 tissue there can be. Hence a forced tree, from whatever cause, 

 has less solidity, is more spongy, and consequently more suscep- 

 tible to injury from sudden changes of temperature than a fine 

 celled, firm, hard wooded tree. Again, men who are extensively 



