AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION*. 99 



materially increased, and the culture of certain small fruits under- 

 taken. The conditions of soil and climate seem specially adapted 

 to the growth of currants and gooseberries. The only plum whicli 

 has as yet proved satisfactory in northern Aroostook, is Moore's 

 Arctic, which originated at Ashland in that section. Even this 

 variety requires laying down each fall. 



The native "Canada plum," Prunus Americana, is very variable 

 in its character, and the region in question is specially rich in 

 promising types of this species. Several selections of the more 

 promising forms have been made, and it is hoped by careful selec- 

 tion and culture, valuable "■iron-clad" varieties may be obtained. 



Trees and cions of Roilingstone and Hawkeye plums were pro- 

 cured last spring, and others of the hardy native varieties from the 

 northwest, as well as some of the better Russian sorts, will be 

 introduced next season. 



EXPERIMENTS TN SPRAYING. 



The great and increasing importance of the fruit interests of 

 the state seem to demand special attention on the part of 

 the Experiment Station, and as the depredations of the 

 insect and fungous enemies of the orchard are becoming more 

 and more severe year by year, it has been decided best to do all 

 in our power to combat these pests. 



In other states it has been shown, apparently beyond question, 

 that at least some of these orchard pests may easily be held in 

 check. While it is not to be supposed that conditions of soil or 

 climate would render the work of other experiment stations of 

 no value in Maine, it has been thought best to prove for ourselves, 

 and to the satisfaction of the people of the state, the effective- 

 ness of certain remedies, if they are effective. In the reports of 

 this Station for 1889 and 1890, Professor Harvey urged the use 

 of certain insecticides and fungicides and gave full directions for 

 applying, with descriptions and cuts of various kinds of spraying 

 apparatus. Heretofore, however, no field work has been under- 

 taken by the Experiment Station. By mutual understanding this 

 work has been placed in the hands of the writer. 



Owing to the fact that the orchard belonging to the Experiment 

 Station is not of bearing age, and that there are no large orchards 

 in the vicinity of the college, the work has necessarily been at a 



