The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-04-19

In his address at the College of
Agriculture, Farmers Week, william
c. Robinson of North Arson. presi-
dent of the Maine State Pathological
Society, remarked that we ought to
have a humane society for orchards.
as well as for cats and dogs and
horses. Some farmers he said,
ssnever look at their orchards until
fall, and then they go out. discover:
their fruit. pick 1t and sell it for
whatever 1t will bring
The main point of his discourse was
that II Maine looked after its apple
trees as well as the orchards of Ore
gon are cared for, Maine apples would
have the call on Maine fruit stands
and in railroad trains, and the Oregon
fruit would have to take a back seat.
The lesson of better care of or
chards Is being emphasized In Som
erset county through the College of
Agriculture extension service. In
Its annual program of work the Farm
Bureau also included paragraph de-
claring in favor of grating, pruning
and otherwise improving the condi-
ton OF the orchards in the county.
County Agent c. A. Storer started
last week on series of demonstra-
lions in grating and pruning. The
first farm visited was that of Ralph
Clifford at North Fairfield, who has
100 or more trees, and the following
day gave a demonstration at the big
orchard farm of Howard Buzzell at
Larone.
The plan followed at each demon
stration Is this. Announcement of
the place where the demonstration is
to he given liz made by the county
agent through circular letters and
newspaper items, and the owner of
the orchard also cooperates in getting
word to his neighbors, especially
those having orchards: When the
people have assembled the county
agent gives brief talk on care of
fruit trees, with especial reference
to pruning, grating and fertilization.
Then they proceed to the orchard,
where tree in special need of atten-
ton is selected. The county agent
uses the pruning knife, the saw and
other implements, explaining the
why" of each movement. If graft
ing is to be done, he explains the pro-
cess and demonstrates. The next
tree the owner of the orchard treats
in a similar manner. under the super
vision of the county agent. the visit
ing farmers asking questions as the
work proceeds.
Next, the visitors are invited to take
n hand. Three or four trees are thus
pruned, grated and discussed. The
demonstration generally lasts two or
three hours and following 1t those
who have been present as participants
or spectators are expected to go back
to their home farms and do likewise
in their own orchards. The gospel
OF better care of fruit trees is thus
spread through a community. Incl
dentally. many questions about spray
ing, fertilizing and tree planting are
asked and answered The spirit of
orchard -improvem ent Is catching, just
us is the spirit of fixing up the front
yard and moving the lawn, each
neighbor endeavoring to have his
own look as. we'll as the others.
County Agent Storer's list of graft
ing and pruning demonstrations in
cludes the following farms: f. l..
Sterling and W. Fl. Rand, North An
son; George Stafford and H. p. Jones,
New Portland Lamont Rich, Scion;
Cyrus Goodrich, Skowhegan; A. T..
Hodges and D. W. Ellis, Fairfield;
Floyd Dahlberg and L. Fl Foster,
Madison; H. l.. Head, Norridgewock;