The Portland daily press., 1877-07-24
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
American Apples.

The farmers and fruit-raisers of the Unit
ed States ought this season to take better
care than usual of their apple orchards, as
there is reasonable probability that here
after the European demand for this fruit will
generally obviate the danger of surplus in
this country. 1t appears from a circular
recently issued by large Liverpool no use,
that in England the preference for Amer lean
apples is fully established, and that every
season, whether the English crop is large or
small, moderate supplies of well.selected
Baldwins, Greening, Russets. and other
descriptions of hard apples, will find there
good market, and during a Sc ason of scarcity
like that of last year the market can easily
take 1900 to $4,000 barrels.
For quarter of century or more past,
American apples have found their. way to
different parts of Europe, but in small quanti-
ties, and in many cases merely as presents
from friends in this country. These apples
were mostly Newton Pippins, which possess
the quality of long keeping with a retention
of their high flavor to the last, and which
have always been considerably sought after
in England As dessert apple. About 1871
some shipments of Spitzenbergs, Baldwins
and Greetings were made, which arrived in
good order, and each winter thereafter. up
to 1873, shipments of these varieties were
madR through to limited extent and with
tdlyluS ouSSCocS uudiCidlly ppcdhluSs
In the fall of 1873 it was found that the
apple crop of Great Britain was almost
total failure, and, as it happened, the Ameri-
can crop was unusually large and prices low.
The dealers who ventured on shipments
were well paid, and the quantity shipped that
season was greater than the combined ship
ments of the ten years previous. From that
time up to last fall the shipments were light,
as the English crop was fair. Last season,
however, 1t again failed. and at the same
time the crop In the United States being
enormous, an opportunity was afforded to
estimate the extreme quantity of apples
which the English market could take from
America under the most favorable circum-
stances.
The shipments commenced about the end
of October, with weekly average of 5000
barrels, which increased to over 1900 bar
rels In the latter part of November. The
demand throughout was such that increa sed
arrivals at Liverpool caused no decline, but,
on the contrary, with improved condition
and quality, prices showed decided advance,
being 1926 to S3.375 per barrel for Bald
wins in October, and $3.50 to 1915 at periods
in November. In Decamber arrivals increas-
ed enormously, being 27,525 in one week,
and 2S 273 the next, or 53,707 barrels in
fourteen days, and for the whole month the
sales in Liverpool alone were over 10000
barrels. The lowest prices during this period
was $2,37,5 for Baldwins, but this was for
small lots of inferior quality; and as the bulk
of sales on the same days were at $2.62.5 to
So per barrel, the latter figures more fairly
represent quotations.
In January receipts varied from 5000 to
5000 barrels weekly, and in consequence
of the irregular condition of the fruit, prices
fuctuated from $275 to $4.25 per barrel.
Greetings for some time had arrived in mis-
cradle order, and it become evident that
good apples Of this variety had been exhaust
ed, so that all shipments afterward consisted
of Baldwins and Russets. The last arrivals
were entirely of the latter, and were in fairly
good order, proving these varieties to be the
best for holding and shipment. In February
and March receipts were larger than we ex.
pected, being occasionally over Il, 900 barrels,
and never less. than $500 barrels weekly, and
the demand was SO well maintained that
sound Bawldins and Russets always realized
$3.50, and at times, when quality and con-
dition were satisfactory, $4.25 to 81 so per
barrel were readily paid. In April the ship
ments were from 5000 to 5000 barrels week.
ly, but with inferior condition, prices at one
time declined to 1926 per barrel. Toward
the close of the season the condition improy-
ed, and the quantity being at the smallest
point, sales were made at So to $3.50 per bar
rel.
The bulk of the shipments were made to
Liverpool, though London and Glasgow
received considerable fruit direct. From
these cities it went to almost every town in
Great Britain, and the american apples'
became literally as familiar as Household
words" The total receipts during the season
were as follows:
BARRELS
LONDON.