Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-11-16
Presidents Address.

Presidents Address.
Members of the Maine State Pomologi-
cal Society and Friends
1t is fitting at the opening business
session of this our 4Sth annual gather
ing, that We remember the faces of
those formerly active but now absent.
Whether they have passed on, or, be-
cause of i'll health or the infirmities of
age. are not able to join in these ser
vices for the promotion of pomology.
J they should, at this time, be recalled
and their devotion to the best inter-
ests of the State stir every - one to
deeper enthusiasm in preparing for the
work of another year one fact can
not be too strongly impressed, that, in
spite of adverse conditions. in spite of
drouth, extreme heat and early frosts
the record of i911 places Maine at the
. head of all the states in percentage of
Weld of all crops adapted TO this
climate. Over and over again has
this truth been demonstrated. still we
are not yet alive to It's significance It
is high time for a complete inventory
of our industrial blessings When
that is taken chief among them VIII
be found the fruit possibilities of the
natural pictures or hold out too highly
colored inducements but it surely is
necessary that the actual facts be
realized as they are not today, even by
the most successful growers. There
is fruit belt In Maine. the outlines of
which must be more distinctly marked.
There are varieties best adapted TO
different localities and these should be
Il. - ~
future growers. There are soil condi-
tioqls most in harmony with the best
development of specific varieties and
these must be made more pronounced
by actual tests that future orchards
may be rightly planted. This problem
OF adaptabiIity Of soil to different va
rieties Is one of the most perplexiug
problems facing the student, yet upon
its solution will rest the future devel-
opment of the industry.
There is a method of treatment
which has general application and will
insure health. vigor and highest pro-
ductiveness to any orchard and this
must be made plain. TO my mind
here is the specific work for this, the
only organized fruit body of the State.
The holding of annual sessions. the
calling together of such grand exhibit
tions of fruit. not to. be excelled on the
globe, in quality. the organizing of
program like the the opening before
us and the publishing of an annual re-
port is, today, not the complete work
of State genealogical society.
Maine Must Stand for Something.
Our mission cannot be realized until
Maine apples stand for something, I'M
til we have established standard in
apple culture and are able To maintain
it, until we can educate the coming
man to grow the best fruit possible.
where the choicest is certain to follow
right cultural methods.
Before desired results can obtain
certain specific steps must be recog
iiized and followed.
list. Greater care is necessary in the
selection OF site for an orchard. The
complications forced by the multiple
cation OF insect pests and diseases and
the certainly Of further increase me-
cessitatel the selection of orchard sites
where sprayers can easily be operated,
while the heavy loss in Maine during
the past ten years by Freezing makes
prominent the subject of natural or ac-
quired drainage to protect the trees
I'd. II is high time the door was
permanently closed against the ire
sponsible tree agent, and every would
be purchaser urged to eonfine his or
ders TO a few standard varieties and
his trade to nursery men known to be
reliable. whose written guarantee can
be accepted as adequate protection.
Too many orchards just coming into
bearing, as we'll as those older, tell of
rank injustice, or worse, on the part of
agents or tree dealers. The sale of
thousands of trees in Maine the past
year, of well known variety long af-
ter the market was sold bare and a |
supply could not be obtained, is a |
form of tree business from which |
would-be fruit growers must be pro- |
tected, Every buyer is entitled to
guarantee. that every tree shipped is
whole root budded or grated and that
the scions came from tested trees
known to produce choice fruit and to
have been persistent bearers. The ele-
ment of chance must be eliminated TO Il
the farthest degree.
Sd. Education is demanded as to
what constitutes good tree for set |
ting, the buyers may discriminate and
refuse to accept inferior stock, whether
in size. shape, top or root. k
4th. The very apparent lack of uni h
formity in methods of pruning both
root and top before setting, suggests
possible series Of public demonstra-
tons of immense value, while the ne 5
cessity for instruction in trimming
young trees to insure shape of top de- I
sired is forced home upon every think Is
ing orchardist, and must claim public !
attention. e@
Extended Work Obligatory. d
These self evident facts make OBJ !
Iie;itary, extended work along educa-
tod 1