STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 57 



engaged in the business of growing trees for a distant market, are 

 not always particular to grow them with any reference to their be- 

 ing trees of lasting vigor, or well adapted to the locality for which 

 they are designed. These trees are largely grown from seeds con- 

 tained in pomace, which we all know comes of refuse apples, con- 

 sisting of wind-falls or other unmarketable apples that may happen 

 to come to hand. 



That like has a tendency to produce like, is a law of nature ; 

 and to my mind it is as impossible to grow vigorous, well-devel- 

 oped, lasting trees from such seed, as to grow the best crops of 

 corn or grain from immature or otherwise poor seed. Hence in 

 planting a nursery, care should be taken not to select a location 

 where, from any cause whatever, the trees will be forced to such 

 an extent as to bring them into the same worthless condition as 

 the most of those we have received from other States. It is all- 

 important also that seeds should be selected from well-matured 

 fruit, from hardy, upright, free-growing trees. Again, a large 

 part of the trees brought into Maine are of the I'efuse stock left 

 on the nurseryman's hands after selecting the most desirable trees 

 for other markets. This worse than worthless stock is hawked 

 about our State, and sold at prices often one hundred per cent, 

 above that for which good Maine trees can be afforded. Conse- 

 quently, many persons have not only lost their money, but their 

 patience and their courage, and some have retired from the field 

 disgusted, believing the time is past when fruit can be success- 

 fully grown in Maine. 



Perhaps there is scarcely a greater agricultural interest in the 

 State than fruit culture, and, at the same time, one so poorly man- 

 aged or so little understood b}'^ the people ; and I regret to say, 

 one too, to which so little encouragement has been offered by the 

 State. It appears to me that it would be but acting the part of 

 wisdom for the present Legislature to place an appropriation in 

 the hands of this Society for the especial pui'pose of promoting 

 and encouraging so desirable objects as the growing of nursery 

 stock and of disseminating light and knowledge among the people 

 by means of premiums, prize essays, or any other way calculated 

 to promote the advancement of that so much to be desired end. 

 And I take the liberty to suggest the propriety of laying this 

 matter before the Legislature for their consideration, and, I doubt 

 not, their hearty cooperation with us in accomplishing so desira- 

 ble an end. 



