The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-10-14
Farmers Convention.
LAST DA1.
SEoWuEGAN Oct 11fh Isl

L a.zE lSAci D]hh'
SKowHEGAN, Oct 18th, 1872
The closing day of the Board was devoted
to fruit culture There was very interesting
collection of fruit on exhibition, including
many varieties of apples and pears, also cram
berries, &C., exhibited by Secretary Goodale
and others.
A large list of apples were taken up, one by
one and discussed. Most of them were varie-
ties either originating in Maine or not gener-
ally disseminated. The 'Garden RoyaF' is
pronounced excellent and sells for high prices
in Portland market. The '.Primate'' was
said to be of such good quality that a sick
man hardly knows whcn he has eaten enough.
The ''Nodhead' sells for higher prices in
Portland than any other variety.
In the course of the desultory discussion
the secretary stated that his experiences as
nurseryman proves that apple tree buyers are
apt to judge of the value of trees by the
amount of cordwood they contain, therefore
for profit, nurserymen are apt to grow the va
rietes that take on wood most readily.
..-.....-- AFTERNOON. r HH
The fruit discussion continued Col. SWEET
spoke strongly in favor of the ''Northern Spy
Apple" The trees need close pruning to
make them bear. 1t comes into bearing slow
ly. Every two years it yields heavy crop
and intermediate years a fair crop. Perfection
| in April and May. 1t is not recommended
because it requires so many years to come in
| to bearing. ~
| ''Black Oxford"-originated in Paris, Ok
ford county. Not very popular, and not to
be recommended.
''Mildng''-from New Hampshire; not
| specially worthy of cultivation.
Secretary Goodale says we need in Maine
some more varieties of good winter apples.
and some worthy kinds would be of much
| value to our fruit raisers. There is no need
of any moe varieties of fail apples.
alexander well in northern
portion of the State, at and above Bangor.
'Moody"-originated in Massachusetts, /;
late, good. ,t.r. -.-...s ,.rf -..- .....s....,
"Jeffrieso -rery good. s,-, -..e
| The question of an organization for the
purpose of forwarding the interests of the
fruit growers of the State was discussed, with
view to forming State Pathological Socie-
| ty, and resulted in the raising of a committee
| of three, viz: Messrs. Gilbert of Androscog-
| gin, Varney of Vassalboro, and Simpson Of
PenObscot, to issue an address to those in the
State interested in fruit raising to meet with
the next session of the Board, for the purpose
OF organizing such a society.
The renovation of old orchards was then
| taken up. Friend Taylor of Fairfield, re-
| cart load of old chip manure around each
tree Mr.. Colburn of Kennebec, gave his a
| feeding of ashes and manure, which was sue
| cessful. Mr.. Winslow of Lincoln. believes in
root as well as top pruning. Major Adams
of Franklin county, uses ashes, and prefers it
| to any other fertilizer. asa
Several speakers inveighed strongly against
the planting of Western apple trees by the
farmers of Maine. They are raised to sell,
and the point of the nurseryman is to obtain
the largest, prettiest looking tree, and he re-
sorts to forcings and high feeding, which
makes weakly and diseased one afterwards.
o.