136 MAINE STATE COLLEGE. 



that nearly seventy-five per cent of the plum trees reported in 

 reply to recent inquiries, are grown in Aroostook county. If plum 

 growing can be made profitable in those sections of the State 

 where winter protection of the trees is absolutely essential, there 

 "would seem to be no good reason for its neglect in other sections 

 which have equally good soil, far more favorable climate, and more 

 available markets. The most serious enemy of the plum grower 

 is the Black Knot, and it is only by concerted action on the part 

 of growers that this disease can be held in check. In New York 

 and some other important plum growing regions, stringent laws 

 have been passed for the protection of the fruit growers, and it is 

 hoped that in the near future similar action may be taken by our 

 own legislature. 



Small fruits, especially currants and gooseberries do not receive 

 the attention their importance demands. Both of the fruits named 

 delight in the cool, moist climate afforded by our high latitude and 

 proximity to the ocean, while they are easy of culture and are 

 always in demand at good prices. Strawberries, too, coming as 

 they do after those from Massachusetts and New York are out of 

 the markets, and just as the people are flocking to our summer 

 resorts, offer a promising field to the enterprising fruit grower. 



With the above facts in mind, the subjoined list of varieties 

 (condensed from a catalogue of the fruits of the State which will 

 be published in full in our annual report) is sent out as the first of 

 a series of short bulletins on fruit growing ; methods of culture ; 

 enemies and diseases of fruits ; and the varieties best suited to 

 different sections of the State. 



The widely varying conditions existing in different parts of the 

 State render a general statement as to the value of any given vari- 

 ety for the State only approximately correct. Varieties which may 

 be of merit in the southern portions of the State are not sufficiently 

 hardy for the middle and northern counties. On the other hand, 

 some sorts considered specially valuable in Aroostook county, are 

 unknown in York. 



The following schedules of varieties for the different sections 

 named, are presented after carefully considering the recommenda- 

 tions of leading fruit growers in those sections : 



For Aroostook^ Piscataquis, Northern Somerset, Penobscot and 

 Washington counties : 



Apples. — Alexander, Dudley's Winter (North Star,) Fameuse, 

 Hayford Sweet, Oldenburg, Yellow Transparent, Wealthy and the 



