96 MAINE STATE COLLEGE. 



injured by the winter were : Clapp's Favorite, Flemish Beauty, 

 Howell, Lawrence, Sheldon, arid Winter Nellis. Of plums, the 

 most hardy appear to be : Bradshaw, Duane Purple, GermaD 

 Prune, Moore's Arctic, Quackenbos, "Washington, and Yellow Egg. 

 The injury to Lombard, one of our hardiest varieties, is in accord- 

 ance with the statement before made, that hardiness is only a 

 relative condition. This variety, because of its vigorous, watery 

 growth, failed to mature the wood and suffered accordingly. 



During the past year the orchard has been largely extended and 

 the trees have made a vigorous growth. Several of the newer 

 varieties of apples and pears, as well as some older ones not 

 common in this region, have been added to the collection. Sev- 

 eral varieties of plums, cherries and cpiinees have also been added. 



Small fruits are also receiving due attention. The climate of 

 the state is such that cultivators may take advantage of the nat- 

 ural conditions of the markets, and with suitable varieties, make 

 the culture of small fruits a very profitable industry. The fruit 

 may be put upon the market at a season when there is little com- 

 petition from other sources, and when the best fruit will command 

 high prices. We are endeavoring to determine the best of the 

 hardy varieties now before the public, and to secure by means of 

 selection and crossing, new varieties specially adapted to the 

 climate, and to the demands of the natural markets of the state. 



During the year, the following varieties have been added to the 

 collection of small fruits. (The list of varieties before planted 

 was published in the annual reports for 1889 and 1890.) 



Blackberries: Agawain. Ancient Briton, Early Cluster, Stone 

 (Stone's Hardy). 



Raspberries: Hansell, Marlboro, Turner, Tyler, Johnston 

 (Johnston's Sweet). 



Currant: Prince Albert, La Versaillais. 

 Gooseberries : "Whitesmith, Downing. 



No part of the state is better adapted for the general operations 

 of agriculture than is Aroostook County. The winters are so 

 severe, however, that fruit culture has heretofore received little 

 attention. Until the advent of the Duchess and the Wealthy, all 

 attempts at apple culture resulted in disappointment. It is but 

 few years since the positive assertion was made, that fruit cul- 

 ture is impossible north of the latitude of Houlton, (46° 10'). 



