The Somerset reporter., 1898-12-29

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more or less success, but In the absence
OF effective remedies the insects matured
and large numbers of eggs were deposit
ed In the fruit and forest trees. From
these large numbers made their appear =
ance this year, and 10 many cases the
foliage was completely stripped from
the trees. Although spraying had been
urged as an effective remedy, few were
prepared with apparatus to employ it.
The result WAS that many Of the largest
orchards hardly bore fruit enough for
family use. Fortunately all parts of The
State were not 40 much affected by these
pests, and some parts not at all. The
figures representing the fruit crop in the
State have been misleading. Some of
these placed the yield higher than so per
cent, but SO far as your secretary can
learn the crop fell much below their fig
ures. The season was favorable for the
growth Of foliage and fruit where any
was set, and at the close of the season
the trees were looking far better than
one could expect. The fruit as shown
on the exhibition tables shows very well.
though the traces of fungus are often
apparent.
IL is believed by many that large num-
bers Of caterpillars were destroyed by
some parasites. This In some localities
is true, but an examination of the trees
shows many clusters of eggs. In some
cases the farmers are prepared to fight
the insects. so their ravages are likely 10
be less. 1t is too much to expect Of our
trees that they will not be weakened
from being obliged to bear second crop
of leaves. Some of them seem to have
well developed blossom buds, but 1t is
doubtful II they will have strength to
produce much fruit.
As matter of fact there are not a
large number of our farmers who are
making a business of growing fruit.
They nearly all have more or less trees,
but the culture and care of the trees
necessary to insure good and regular
crops Of fruit are wanting. The secrc-
tary observed the contrast in visiting
some of the orchards in Nova Scotia.
where good cul ure and care were the
rule and not the exception. The fruit
exhibited from there affords an interest
ing object lesson for study and compari-
son. To the secretary this seems the
all-important subject to-day, not more
trets, but Intelligent culture of those we
now have. You will observe the speci-
mems from Nova Scotia are nearly or
quite free from scab. 1t is not the re-
suit of chance, but skillful use of the
spray pump that has secured it.
The executive committee were unani.
nous in declining the invitation from
the trustees of the State Agricultural
Society to hold the usual autumn exhibit
lion in connection with the State Fair.
The terms proposed were Of such a ma
ture as to make The cost of the exhihi
Ii. i
to pay. In the absence of authority to
do otherwise the executive committee
decided to hold the autumn exhibition
and winter meeting together, and by in
vitation of Skowhegan Grange we are
assembled here in these beautiful and
we'll equipped halls. The success of this
meeting suggests, that 1t may be better
hereafter to have the annual exhibition
occur at a time when it is possible to
show the public the supeIlative excel
lence of Maine fruit instead of half
grown, poorly colored specimens.
In several States the injuries sustained
by the attacks of insects and the growth
of fungi have resulted in the passage of
laws TO control and SO far as possible de-
stroy these common foes. The laws in
some cases make it the duty of orchard.
lists and others to DESTROY the pests
found on their premises. Other States,
like Massachusetts and California, have
made liberal appropriations with which
to fight and destroy troublesome insects
and fungi. Feeling that these matters
are not local, there are many who are
now urging upon Congress the passage
of general laws that shall apply to all
the States. Fruit growers in other
States have solicited the influence of the
society to insure the same, but as yet no
action has been taken in the matter.
The time seems drawing near when
there will be demand for something of
the sort.
The richest farming towns in Maine
are those IN which the most intelligent
production of the dairy and orchard
have prevailed. They lead now and will
continue to lead in the future. Success
will come to him whose skill and IL =
dustry overcome the innumerable diff
culties by which fruit growing is beset
First of all, it does not mean the setting
of more trees but 1t does mean the most
skillful culture of those now standing in
our orchards. We have trees enough
until we know how to make them pro-
duce the best fruit. The time has gone
by when nature will fill our baskets
without effort on our part. There are
TWO things involved in this-one is to
raise more fruit from our trees, and the
other is to make 1t better. Ii is with
reference 10 these things that the pre-
gram for our present meeting was large
ly shaped-and the evidence shown you
in these points, hope, will be conclu-
sive.
The second essential is to handle and
market your fruit to the best advantage.
| wish TO emphasize, under this head,
the Importance OF Offering for sale
honest fruit, i. e., fruit that in all re-
spects shall be just as represented. If it
is No. on the barrel head make the
fruit 80 inside. 1t will do no harm to
sell No. or No. 3 first, but scrupulous
honesty must prevent your getting the
No. 2 or No. 3 into the No. barrel.
The wisest course is not to allow bar
rel of inferior fruit to leave the farm
under any circumstances, and the grow
ers, If they will, can control this fully.
Your secretary hopes the fruit growers
of Maine will do it,
August Flower.
"It is a surprising fact says Prof.
Houton, "that in my travels In all parts
of the world, Tor the last ten years,
have met more people having used
~ 70 hnn no.