The Portland daily press., 1886-02-20
70 LIIG pICIIIC UKIIIICI oOI O " uIIO ItVtI III
the hall below The exhibitors of fruit are
THE AFTERNOON SESSION.

The afternoon exercises were opened with
music from the choir, followed by paper by
w. P. Atherton of Hallowell on "The Cli-
matte Line of Fruit Culture in Maine"
To the question, what determines variety
climate or soil, should say neither. They are
determined by higher law. Climatic influence
is that state of the atmosphere which develops
and modities the life and growth of plant, gives
character to its fruit and determines its durabi
ity. Climate marks broader and deeper infu-
ence on variety and soil. The 400 OF latitude Is
the northern limit to successful fruit culture as at
present developed. Successful fruit culture has
progressed farther north in Piscataquis county
than in any other county except Ar0oStOOk The
speaker considered the climatic line of fruit cul
ture in Maine as all mOonshine. Steady cold does
more damage than sudden fall OF temperature
The general conclusions were that the limit OF
fruit culture in Franklin and Somerset counties
was the 45o of latitudei In Piscataquis twenty
miles farther north; in PenObscot, on or q little
below the line; in Hancock, twenty miles farther
south; in Washington. near the line, and Iii
Aroostook, one hundred and ten miles north
The president then introduced Judge
Prince, who read G. G. Atkins essay ON
''The Mulch Question"
There is no practice except that of fertilizing
more generally urged than mulching Do not
think it best to mulch an old orchard as l would
young one. The advantages of mulching are
the protection it affords against excessive drying
anu Suuu6n CHdIlS0S OI lllC plcNtu-
tion of the encrusting of the surface or of wash
ing by rains and from weeds; the securing to the
roots of undisturbed possession OF the surtae,
soil; and the promotion of intriicatiOn and tht
addition of fertilizing materials to the soil The
objections may be marshalled thus: to mulch a
grown orchard thoroughly is expensive; the
mulch harb0rs insects and mice there is danger
of fire sweeping through the orchard and destroy
ing the trees, and the discontinuance Of mulching
after 1t has been long employed gives the trees
serious setback Mulch keeps down other vege-
tation and prevents the soils getting too dry
Swale hay Is good for mulch. Use any hay wei
during the haying season for mulch and also all
surplus upland hay where 1t IS impossible to sell
mulch to the acre. Mulch continually, as its DIS
continuance will be serious check to she growth
of the tree. The two objections which have the
and insects. Mulch makes the best lOdgment to
the coddling moth. The danger from fire is
great, and as a partial prevention the mulcl
should be kept away from the trunks of young
trees, the intervening space being hoed.
The next paper was brief one by q. A.
Gilbert, containing some good suggestions on
the management of horticultural exhibitions.
Although this paper was not in the pro-
gramme; it gave good satisfaction and re-
ceived some discussion.
EVENING SESSION.
The evening session of the meeting was
opened by the choir. The literary portion
opened with an essay by the secretary of the
society, S. L. Boardman, on ''An apple; how
to pick it and what to do with it..
In commencing, 1Ir. Boardman referred briefly
to the history of the apple and to the many char
aeteristics which make it, as it unquestionably is
the king OF all the fruits of the temperate zone
or as Mr.. William Robinson, the great English
horticultural authority, says: "The American
apple is the most magnificent fruit which ripens
under the sum-" The speaker regarded the Bald
win as the one leading typical variety, to the cu
ture of which orchardists in Maine should give
their leading attention. 1t possesses more deSir
able qualities as a late keeping, shipping apple,
and from Which more money can be obtained than
any other one variety grown in Maine. 1t is in
greater demand will keep longer, stand shipping
BETTER and brings uniformly higher price than
any other sort. He then described minutely the
different processes of picking, sorting, storing
ana eSrmreng re fGr MARKET h ana Con-
courage in consequence of the present low prices
for this variety, following two seasons of heavy
yield, but to continue to give careful attention to
its growth and handling, with assurance that III
the future the Baldwin will not lose its supremacy
in the treat markets of the world.
The next paper was by S. R. Iceland, Esq,
of Pennington, on "The future outlook for
fruit raising in Maine"
When 1 speak of fruit raising In Maine as a
money crop, mean principally the raising of ap-
pies Pears, grapes and Che small fruits cannot
be raised at profit in Maine, except perhaps
near our cities and large villages. All however
OF some varieties of apples is already oYerdone.
Too much cider fruit raised and also too many of
the summer and early fall varieties are grown.
The future outlook for the production OF popular
winter varieties in one State is particularly ell
couraging. There will no doubt be large in
crease in the number of trees planted in the next
ten years, but owing to failures and
neglect mahy OF the trees will die and whole
orchards run to ruin. If more apples are raised
will not new foreign markets spring up, and de-
mand this increase? Future orchardists should
plant their trees on high, rocky land which IS best
adapted for the growing of BaldwnS. The future
Orchardist must sort and pack better than the
orchardist of to-day. The speaker concluded
with brief allusion to the Baldwin as being the
best winter apple for Maine and recommended its
more general cultivation.
The last speaker of the evening was Mr..
L. F. Abbott of the Lewiston Journal, who
delivered an able address on "The Future of
0rcharding in Maine"
The speaker at first referred to the orchards of
Maine as they were in the pioneer days. AS the
time advanced the nature of the apple was
changed. Whether 1t will pay in the future is a
vital question to the Maine orchardistS. Our
OrchafdstS as a rule cannot count on a remuner-
ative market for fall fruit as Speciality we
should curta production in this direction. Fewer
varieties should be grown and those should be of
long keeping, productive sorts OF red color and
of Good DUALITY There should be better enItivs
t1on of the orchards and less trees. Our markers
have become faStidlous aad a better quality Of
fruit is demanded. The appearance of the fruit
is good deal. Maine apples will sell If any an
pies dc, and at a better figure To sum up' Then.
the orchardlst I'm IN Maine who conforms his practice
in line with the considerations named has a
future before him full of promise and hope
general discussion followed participated
in by those present, prominent among whom
were Scion Chase, d. II. Knowton, w. P.
Atherton and others. The usual votes of
thanks to the citizens Of Turner, the choir
and the Maine Central Railroad for favors
received were passed and with farewell
song by the choir the meeting adjourned.