STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 75 



day the hillsides of Franklia countj^ are well covered with orchards, aud 

 they are paying. Years ago the Baldwin was considered rather a doubt- 

 ful variety, but it is not considered so to-day. The best paying orchards 

 that we have are of Baldwins. In the earlier times seedlings were used, 

 but to-day it is grafted fruits for the markets; and it may be that in 

 years to come some of the varieties which are being perfected here will 

 pay you well. Why not be setting out those seedling trees, caring for 

 them and growing them as the climatic changes take place with the fell- 

 ing of the trees and the clearing of the forest ? Why will you not then 

 be ready to have those trees retopped to some useful varieties which you 

 have found to be a paying kind here in Aroostook? I think it may be 

 well to start your oi-chard in that way. I would not advise any one to 

 set out an orchard from kinds that you would purchase of a tree agent. 

 You must have something that is peculiarly and particularly adapted to 

 this Aroostook climate. Dudley's Winter is well adapted to it, and with 

 some of the other kinds mixed in for cross fertilization, as was spoken of 

 in the talk on small fruits last evening, may give you good returns. I 

 know there are men in this countj^ who are trying manj' varieties. One 

 gentleman told me he had eighty-three varieties. If vou will take the 

 pains to go and see those who are experimenting upon this line of work 

 you can soon find out which kinds are adapted to your farm or your loca- 

 tion, aud that will save you many dollars, perhaps many years, in grow- 

 ing your orchard. 



I think the majority of the people who are setting trees in the western 

 part of the State are setting them in the turf. You will find a few 

 orchards that are cultivated, but a very few ; and it is in some old fields 

 or pastures that the most of the trees are set. I believe when a man is 

 going to raise apples for commercial purposes, the best way is to take a 

 good field and give it good care and cultivation, and set your trees there. 

 Aud I will tell you from my personal experience how we have set out 

 our orchard. We measured off our fields and set the trees in rows two 

 rods apart each way. We dug a large, deep ditch (do not be afraid of 

 getting it too large, you will not do that) throwing the dirt and turf on 

 the upper side. Two men can work at the business better than one. In 

 throwing the dirt on to the upper side you will find that it will work 

 down a great deal easier if you are putting it in with a hoe or with your 

 hands than it would if thrown on the lower side. If the hole is too deep 

 dump 3-our sods in the bottom. They will in time decompose and form 

 a natural plant food for the young roots. Trees that are well set out 

 have a good start. In the manuring of these young trees we never have 

 used barn manures. We prefer some kind of commercial fertilizer. I 

 have used muriate of potash and fine ground bone at different times with 

 very good results. The trees seem to grow and thrive finely upon that 

 kind of feed. The only great setback with me in the growing of a young 

 orchard has been the amount of care that has been required to keep the 

 borers out of those young trees. I do not know as you are troubled with 

 borei'S here, but we are in our section ; and from all those ohl trees that 



