94 MAINE STATE COLLEGE 



early, prolific varieties with some of the larger sorts. From 

 crosses we now have growing, more satisfactory results were 

 obtained during the past season, than from any of the older fixed 

 varieties. 



FRUIT TESTS. 



The Experiment Station is not situated within the section of the 

 state best adapted to fruit culture. Being on the flat bottom lands 

 in the valley of the Penobscot, conditions of soil and climate are 

 different, and somewhat more trying than in other portions of the 

 state. This fact has its advantage, however, as varieties which 

 prove hardy at Orono will probably succeed in any of the southern 

 counties of the state. 



The scope of the work already in progress has been indicated in 

 a general way in the annual reports of the Experiment Station for 

 1889 and 1890. At the beginning of the present year, when the 

 orchard came under the care of the writer, the trees were in a 

 very bad condition from the effects of the severe winter. 



The winter of 1890-1 was one of the coldest known for twenty 

 years ; the mercury on one occasion reaching — 36.3°, while the 

 mean temperature for December was 12.2° Fahr. The fruit planta- 

 tion is on warm, rich soil, and the trees failed to mature the new 

 growth. Consequently, trees which should prove hardy in our 

 climate were either killed or severely checked. The loss was 

 specially marked in case of pears and plums. 



An all important requisite of hardiness is that the wood com- 

 plete its growth early in the season, and become well matured 

 before cold weather approaches. Hardiness is therefore only 

 relative, and may in a measure be controlled by the cultivator. 

 Orchards and fruit plantations generally, should not be cultivated 

 after the first of August, till growth is checked by heavy frost. 



The following field notes indicate in a general way the condition 

 of the orchard at the beginning of the year, and the relative hardi- 

 ness of different varieties : 



Pears 



Angouleme Killed. 



Anjou Considerably injured. 



Bartlett Top killed. Sprouts above graft. 



Clairgeau One killed outright. The others, top 



killed, hut sprouts appear. . 



Clapp's Favorite In good condition. 



Flemish Beauty ' ; " '* 



