90 MAINE STATE COLLEGE 



FRUIT TESTS. 



The winter of 1891-2, was very mild and little injury was done 

 in the fruit plantations. All varieties made a good growth during 

 the season, and as far as praeticable the vacancies in the orchard, 

 caused by the previous severe winter, were filled. Several addi- 

 tional varieties of pears, also of cherries w^ere obtained, and a 

 plum orchard has been established. The small fruit plantation 

 has also been largely increased in extent. 



The fruit plantations are now systematized, and maps and well 

 defined forms for records have been constructed, thus rendering 

 the plantations more valuable, for purposes of study and avoid- 

 ing danger of confusion. 



The additions to the experimental orchards and small fruit 

 gardens the past season consist of the following : 



Apples 5 varieties; pears 8 varieties; plums 13 varieties; 

 blackberries 2 ; currants 3 ; dewberries 1 ; gooseberries 2 ; rasp- 

 berries 1 1 ; strawberries 1 4. 



With the exception of a few varieties of raspberries and black- 

 berries, there is as yet no basis for a comparison of the merits of 

 different varieties for this region. As soon as the various sorts 

 come into bearing, more detailed reports may be made for the 

 benefit of planters. 



The work of securing valuable sorts that will stand the trying 

 climate of the northern part of the state is being continued on an 

 extended scale. During the past season cions of the following 

 varieties have been sent to Perhara, Aroostook Co. : Arthur, 

 Borst, Duchess Seedlings number 4 and number 8, North Star, 

 Patten's Greening from C. G. Patten, Charles City, Iowa; Daisy, 

 Gideon number 6, Malinda, McMahon, Okobena, Ostrakoff, 

 Patten's Greening and Utter from J. S. Harris, LaCrescent, 

 Minnesota; Hibernal, Korsk Annis, Red Queen, Repka from 

 Wm. Somerville Viola, Minnesota ; Palouse from Geo. Ruedy 

 Colfax, Wash ; Rolfe, Maine State College. 



Besides the above named cions, two year old trees of the follow- 

 ing varieties were kindly donated by the Jewell Nursery Co. of 

 Lake City, Minn. Thompson's seedlings numbers 24, 26, 29, 

 and 43. As was the case last season part of these cions were set 

 in bearing trees and part in seedling stock raised from Duchess 

 seed. 



