STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 49 



a very good bearer. Ichabod Thomas was the originator of it. 

 My father took an apple from the original tree in the fall, and in 

 the next spring he cut the first scion from the tree that was ever 

 taken from it, and grafted it ; and we have raised it ever since, 

 and it has been widely disseminated through Sidney, Belgrade, 

 and all that portion of Kennebec county. 



Voted, To adopt the name of King Sweeting for the last named 

 variety. 



Adjourned to 7 o'clock, P. M. 



Among the answers received by the committee to their circular, 

 were many containing valuable suggestions in addition to the 

 specific subject of enquiry. From these we select the following 

 letter, as presenting in connection with the consideration of varie- 

 ties of apples, the important subject of their "season" as affected 

 by locality : 



Letter from Mr. Calvin Chamberlain. 



Z. A. Gilbert, Esq., Chairman of Fruit Committee, etc. 



My Dear Sir: — Herewith I send you a list of some of the fruits found on my own 

 grouuds and in the immediate neighborhood. A few sheets might be filled with com- 

 ments on many of the varieties, their success in the locality, Ac, but all that sort of 

 work can better be done in committee of the whole, with samples, and the paper and 

 your time be saved. 



There is one matter that should have a prominent place in the transactions of our ne:st 

 meeting, which may very properly be presented by some one representing the Northern 

 section of the State. I refer to the fact that the season of our leading fruits is fixed by 

 the locality — being retarded by each mile of advance northward, and by each foot of 

 elevation. This is more observable from the coast line of the State to the interior, than 

 along the coast from the southward; for in addition to the latitude is the constant in- 

 crease of altitude. This change in the time of ripening may best be seen by taking not© 

 of a few varieties. 



The Summer Sweet Paradise of the Middle States, is a late Fall apple here. The 

 Kilham Hill, an early Fall apple in Essex county, Mass., where it originated, is a 

 Winter apple here. Hubbardston Nonsuch can hardly be kept in Connecticut beyond 

 November, while here in Piscataquis county we often have it sound and in perfection to 

 April or May. Jewett's Fine Red (Nodhead) in Cumberland county, hardly holds be- 

 yond New Years; and even in Kennebec is called a Fall apple; while here we are not 

 anxious about its market till February or March. I once surprised some Winthrop 

 gentlemen by showing them the Winthrop Greening in perfection in February. They 

 could hardly believe that their Fall favorite could be converted into a first-class Winter 

 apple, by simply growing it seventy miles farther north. At the present writing (Dec. 

 19th), the four last named, in my cellar, show very slight change since harvest, and 

 promise to serve us to April. The Porter, by careful handling, can often be kept to 

 December. I have some that promise to be in condition about the time of our Winter 



