REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



Again it becomes the duty of your secretary to present an 

 annual report of the transactions of the Society. During the year 

 it has afforded me great pleasure and assured me of the progressive 

 work in the State that a larger number all the while are becoming 

 interested in fruit culture. Some men living secluded lives in rural 

 homes, with little reading have often in years past, almost or quite 

 ignored the words of horticultural societies. Unwilling to admit 

 they do not know all there is of fruit culture, they behold the grand 

 success of others, but they are like those in ancient days having, 

 eyes they see not. Many of these are now seeking knowledge 

 which only their vanity in the past has denied them. As illustra- 

 tive of this an intelligent fruit-grower inquired about the best vari- 

 eties to plant. I gave him all the points I could, and he concluded 

 by saying that he knew of no better variety than the Baldwin and 

 he was going to set a lot of those in the spring. He remarked that 

 one of the most successful orchards in the county was developed in 

 this way, but failed to note that the cold of winter in this case 

 twice froze back the tops before the trees were acclimated. The 

 provoking thing in this particular case is that the man has grown 

 fruit for nearly half a century. Other men realize the necessity 

 for knowledge and are willing to seek it. This is one of the most 

 encouraging features of the situation. For those who seek knowl- 

 edge in these days will find it. 



THE 1894 CROP. 



The fruit crop in Maine has been large, though it can hardly be 

 called a full crop. Many dealers have assured me that the crop is 

 really much larger than in 1893. Travelling among the orchards in 

 the autumn, one could not fail to notice that many of the trees were 

 nearly barren. The statistics have been deceptive again, so much 



