Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-07-25
CROP ssLlGr,N FOR JULY.
MAINE STATE BOARD or AeR,cuLruRx.
AUGUSTA. July u, 1896

thought beat to draw out all the infor-
nation possible In relation to the fruit In
dustry Of our state, the pastures, prom
ise OF the hay crop, and amount and
condition of grain and hoed crops. In
order to get at the necessary informa-
ton the following list OF questions Was
sent out:
I. Give the fruit indications As CON-
pared with lS92s
2. Number Of trees set this spring,
whether more or less than the usual
numbers
3. What methods are used for fertil-
ixing orchardss
1. If commercial fertilizers are used,
what are they, and how are they appli-
eds
5. should orchards be moved, crop
ped, or pastured with hogs or sheeps
o. Can you give from your own ex-
perience or observation, the usual profit
obtained per acre for land In orchardss ?
Z. which pay best, fall or winter
fruit. and what varieties OF eitherr
3. How many In your vicinity are cul-
tivating small fruits, and what varieties
are the most raisedy
o. How many In your vicinity have
fairly well kept gardens, and what do
you think Of the possible profit to be
obtained from thems
10. What Il the condition Of pastures
as compared with last Year,
IL. What Is the promise for hay
cropr
n. What Il the amount and condi-
ton OF grain and hoed crops as compar-
ed with last year. oats, barley, mixed
grain, wheat, potatoes, sweet corn, yel-
low corn, or other cropsy
We wish to acknowledge our indebt-
einess to our correspondents who have
responded so promptly aud who have
40 generally added remarks which are
of much value. More replies have been
received than ever before, and much
care has been exercised In answering
the questions.
From the li6 replies to question one
we learn that the fruit indications as
compared with ls92 is "a per cent.
Only three replies giving better show
ing and four "a good. The principal
falling OF seems to be In the winter vari-
eties, particularly Baldwins. Reports
generally show fine growth OF wood,
however, and but little damage from
insects. In parts Of Cumberland County
the trypeta Il at work again and one
correspondent gives his experience
with him at some length.
Replies to question two show the
number Of fruit trees set to be eighty
one per cent. In ten replies the number
Il more than last year and In twenty
the same. The choice of varieties seems
To be Baldwins, Spies, aud other winter
IL n. aain
some early variety.
N Il A fact worthy of note. that the
Wealthy apple, which IL fall apple In
the central and western sections OF the
stete, IL a prime winter apple In Aroos-
took County, keeping its form aud flavor
far into the spring. This difference Is,
without doubt, due to the nearness OF
the frost line.
Replies to questions three, four and
five show that IL Is the general practice
tn crop young orchards. using barn
dressing largely for fertilizer, aud as
the trees become of fair sine, to pasture
with hogs or sheep, using ashes, bone
meal aud muriate Of potash for fertilix-
er. Some use barn manure Tor top
dressing, applying IL In sufficient guam
tity 10 destroy the growth OF grass, u
being the object To turn all the available
plant food into the production OF fruit.
Replies to question six were indefinite.
some claiming an income as high as slOo
per acre.
Replies to question seven give winter
fruit as far more profitable In nearly all
sections, with preference Tor the
Baldwin, Northern Spy, Roxbury Rus
set, Golden Russet, In the order named.
Replies to questions eight and nine
show that many Of our farmers are cul-
tiyatipg small fruits and also learning
the value of garden for the purpose of
raising all vegetables for family use
during the entire season. The number
of varieties Of vegetables and small
fruits Il rapidly increasing and We are
glad to note the fact. As there Is 10
branch Of farming In Maine when
affords so much pleasure and proht as
well ordered small fruit aud vegetable
garden.
Replies to question ten show the con-
dition of our pastures above the average
IL being 10 per cent. And those 10
question eleven show the condition OF
the hay crop to be IL per cent. AS the
weather has been favorable for the
growth Of grass since the replies were
received, it L. fair to predict a more
than average hay crop, although replies
from few localities show II TO be be
low.
Replies to question twelve show the
condition OF grain and hoed crops to be
10 Der cent both In quantity and quail
ity as compared with last year. Although
In some places, corn Il rather low Tor
the season. IL Is growing finely and With
A fair season, will, without doubt, be an
average crop, while potatoes and grain
are much above the average. On our
farm We have the best stand OF potatoes
for many years, and the oats aud mixed
grains are yell started.
Your careful attention is asked to the
remarks Of our correspondents, which
are arranged by counties, and which are
more full and comprehensive than in
any previous Bulletin.
ANpRoscoGGIS COUNTY.
MISUNDERSTANDING is receiving
more attention than formerly, but not
up TO the wants Of fruit trees or the
nrofits of their owners. In the vicinity
OF a good market fall fruit pays well. III
4 49, .-...norta attan Ia re0ulre0. the