STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. g 



unimportant details and asking especial attention to the valuable 

 addresses, essays and reports which have been made, as well as 

 to the catalogue of fruits of Maine (which is herewith first sub- 

 mitted to the public in a full and authentic form,) and to the 

 descriptive lists following the same. The financial statements 

 and other matters relating more particularly to the business affairs 

 of the Society will be appended. 



It is worthy of observation in the first place, that in consequence 

 of the efforts of the Society, a new and deeper interest has been 

 awakened throughout the State in the business of fruit growing, 

 both in the orchard and nursery. Improved varieties of fruits and 

 better methods of culture than formerly prevailed are being 

 eagerly, sought for ; worthless or unprofitable varieties and cul- 

 tural methods of doubtful utility have in many instances been 

 discarded ; more numerous and better exhibitions of fruit have 

 been held than in any previous year ; and the discussion of the 

 various questions connected with fruit culture, both in the farmers' 

 meetings and in the newspapers has been more general, more 

 intelligent and more practical than ever before. 



It is especially gratifying to note that in the current agricul- 

 tural literature of the State so large a space has been filled with 

 original and well written articles on pomological and horticultural 

 subjects, and that the larger and better portion of those articles 

 have been contributed by members of this Society. It is observa- 

 ble also that those cultivators and writers who still hold them- 

 Belves aloof from the Society, whether commending or criticizing 

 its eflbrts, have unavoidably shared in the new impulse which has 

 been given. If the Society had accomplished no specific work its 

 utility would have been demonstrated by these general results. 



Catalogue of Fruits for Maine. 

 The most important portion of the labor of the Society during 

 the year has been devoted to the preparation of a catalogue of the 

 varieties of fruit adapted to profitable cultivation in the State. 

 At the Winter Meeting in January, 18 74, a committee was ap- 

 pointed to whom this duty was especially assigned. That com- 

 mittee have assiduously prosecuted their work, making extended 

 personal observations and seeking information by means of circu- 

 lars and otherwise from all available sources. Their report as 

 presented at the recent Winter Meeting and modified by the 

 action of the Society will be found on subsequent pages. It 



