90 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



do not cease growing when they begin to bear, hence the need of increased 

 fertilization. Too many are afraid to niuiniro their trees. It is well they 

 shonld be. but there is no harm in manuring the ground they grow upon. 

 It is hardly possible, in Maine, in AValdo county, at least, to hurt an 

 orchard by manuring. 



"We should realize that a fruit tree, especially an apple tree, is not 

 designed for an hour, or for a day, but for a hundred years. It is some- 

 thing to hand down from father to son, and to grandson. Then it is the 

 part of wisdom to select a hardy, valuable variety ; set only the best 

 specimens of its type; carefully transplant it, witli patience and connnon 

 sense; prudently handle, and wisely manage it; feed it, protect, direct it 

 by judicious pruning, and watch over it lest it receive damage from any 

 source, and our tree will kindly respond. It will show its pedigree, its 

 bringing up, its care. Such a tree will pay better than whole orchards 

 we could name. This tree will have a green old age, an extended lon- 

 gevity, and if change comes at all, only for the better. 



The culture of the grape is on the increase. There is more enquiry for 

 early maturing, hardy kinds. Only a short time since and a vine in 

 Waldo County was a rare sight ; now a family that is destitute of one or 

 more is rai-er still. They are highly prized for preserving, as well as for 

 dessert dish, or food for the convalescent. Their culture is becoming 

 better understood. Those finely pruned vines in mathematically correct 

 diagrams, frightened the common people. "Oh! lean never do it." It 

 was thought to be the only way. A scientist and mathematician combined, 

 was needed to carry it out to a nicety. That time has gone by. That 

 humbug has exploded, and the common people can raise a few grapes 

 now, every one of them, by planting tlieir vine and caring for it only as 

 they would their hop vine, or honeysuckle. If they do not get enormous 

 bunches for exhibition, they get some fruit at less expense, which answers 

 their turn. 



Strawberries are cultivated in greater breadth year by year. It will be 

 a long time yet before the local markets are supplied. There is a demand 

 that grows foster than the strawberries, and this keeps up a remunerative 

 price. Cranberries, also, are largely consumed, but as yet sparsely grown 

 with us. We have excellent cranberry lands, and good cranberry lands 

 are good for nothing else. The Lord never made anything that cannot be 

 put to use, but he made some that have not been. We have some good 

 cranberry plantations, but not the good many that we ought to have. 

 The cranberries raised in some sections of the State, are hollow. This is 

 not the case with those grown in this section. 



The work of the Fomological Society is being felt in every part of the 

 State, to which Waldo county is no exception. This work and the litera- 

 ture of the fruit growing of Maine, is not yet duly appreciated. No 

 society, so far as ray observation extends, has accomplished so much 

 good in so sliort a time. But the work is just begun. It is but just 

 mapped and planned. The campaign is but just opened. The brush is 

 only just cleared away i)reparatory to a more useful planting. Light is 



