Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-08-05
e. A. YeatOn
tRepOrts Increased
Interest in Lines of
horticultural Work

There has been an increased in
| terest in all lines of horticultural
work, especially planting apple
orchards" asserts State Hortl-
culturist George A. Yeaton in his
biennial report covering the period
from July ], 1922, to July 1, 1924,
just filed with the Governor and
Council.
THE nearness to the best markets
of the world, coupled with the fact
! that our soil and climatic condi-
tions are such that we can and do
produce the>fnest quality of fruit
has led many to turn their atten-
ton to orcharding," Mr.. Yeaton
continues. 1.-The Extension Service
and the Farm Bureau made a drive
to get their members to pool their
orders so as to secure the lowest
wholesale prices for young trees,
which made a very material saving
to those who took advantage of it.
I'VE went to the nurseries where
the stock was grown and made an
inspection before it was shipped
into the State. This insured trees
that were free from disease and in
sect pests. Crown gall is the
est amount of trouble. 1t usually
near the ground line.
Practically all the fruit trees and
small fruit plants are attacked by
this disease and in this State apple
and red raspberry seems to be the
most commonly affected. 1t is quite
probable that all crown gall of
plants is produced by the same
organism and can be communicated
frcm one host to another. This
disease has been the subject of
much contention among growers and
nurserymen, as it is always found
to q greater or less extent on
nursery stock. There is little ques-
ton but that the trees free from
this disease and grown under
practically the same condition as af-
fected trees will produce more and
better crops and will live longer.
Growers are advised to reject
trees showing this disease and
nurserymen are required to Gull out
and destroy trees showing evidence
of crown gall. There is no con-
troll for this disease and trees
showing traces of it never should
be planted, and trees that show this
aerial form should be grubbed out
and burned, as they will never make
profitable orchard trees.
1.-THE previous season was par
ticularly dry in the states where
the nursery stock was grown and
as a result the trees were under
size and some disappointment was
felt by those who received them, but
in spite of this the trees have made
a fine growth and are now fully up
to normal size.
There are hundreds of acres of
oh fn wi To, a.,
with a slope too steep to probably
hoe crops, but which will produce
the best quality apples. These
lands can be bought at comaratively
low prices and when set to apple
trees and properly cared for will
yield the greatest profits of any
farm operation and win greatly en-
nance the value of the farm.
There have been no serious out
breaks of insect pests and more
spraying and busting has been done
than ever before.
'Orchardists have found that they
can control the tripeter (railroad
worm) by using an arsenical spray
early in July, thus saving thousands
of bushels of apples that in years
past have gone to waste. We have
discovered three slight infestations
have cleaned them up.
Small Fruits
1--WE have encouraged the grow
ing of small fruits by assisting in
the selection of varieties that were
adapted to their particular condi-
tons, environments and markets.
"A few of the growers have in
stalled irrigating systems which
hot
much and prolonged the picking
season which enabled them not only
to secure larger crops, but to get
better prices, as the first fruit was
larger and more attractive. We
have also given assistance to the
BURBERRY growers, especially to
those who were just starting. This
line Of horticulture in Maine is of
much importance. as it gives en-
ployment to hundreds of men and