STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 37 



KAISmG CRAB-APPLES. 

 By Henry Reynolds, M. D., Auburn. 



Fruit-growers in Maine have had much to discourage them 

 during the past ten or fifteen years. The severity of the 

 winters and the ravages of insects have destroyed a hxrge 

 part of the old orchards, while numerous difiiculties beset 

 the raisin^: of new orchards. It is an acknowledged fact that 

 trees do not grow so readily as they did fifty years ago. 

 Then, if trees were set out, a flourishing orchard was pretty 

 sure to result, whether any care was taken of the trees or 

 not. Nearly all that seemed necessary, to secure a good 

 tree, was that the seed should be placed in the ground or the 

 tree set where it was desired to grow ; almost invariably a 

 good tree would be produced. 



Now, it is altogether different. The tree must be trans- 

 planted with extra care, placed in a good location, in the best 

 soil, cultivated, manured, protected from mice, borers and 

 other enemies, in fact tended and cared for almost as indus- 

 triously as a child is cared for, in order to secure a tree. 

 Even when the tree has at last been produced, the owner is 

 not sure of long possessing his treasure. Insects may destroy 

 it, frosts may kill it, or disease blight and blast it. 



In view of all these difficulties attending apple-tree culture, 

 it is not strange that many at times have become discouraged, 

 and look about them for trees of a more hardy character than 

 the varieties usually cultivated. Obliging and enterprising 

 tree agents have aided them in this search, and presented for 

 their consideration the crab-apple. The case of the crab- 

 apple has been ably presented by its earnest and unwearying 

 advocates. The case at first was presented a little stronger 

 than it would be prudent to state it at present. The crab- 

 apple was said to be just the tree to endure our winters, 

 would grow thriftily, bear abundantly, and the fruit sell at 

 fancy prices. It Avas claimed that when the common standard 

 kinds of apples were selling in Boston at two to three dollars 

 per barrel, the crab-apples sold at six or seven dollars, 



