Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-04-21

Dailu Kennrbrr journaI.
An Apple Talk.

Two facts in connection with the apple
crop OF 1881 stand out very prominent :
First, 1t was the heaviest crop of apples
ever grown in Maine; Second, apples sold
at very high prices. higher probably than
ever before. But while the crop was so
large. the size of the fruit was IN the
average small. This was an inevitable
consequence resulting from so many ap-
pies growing on comparatively few trees,
Apples which grow on trees situated in u
large. compact orchard, seemed to run
smaller than those from scattering trees
or Young open orchard. For this reason
small lots of fruit were usually of larger
size than those produced by extensive or
chardists. We remember one farmer, an
owner of large orchard, who. out of 200
bbls. of picked fruit. sorted 65 bbls of 2's
Hardly one of these was wormy. but
they ran very small. In asserting apples.
many more 2's come out of lot
IN which there are very few large apples
than from one where half or more of the
fruit is of good size; because where part
is large, many more small ones can be
added TO the is without iniuring their APP
pearance than when most of the apples
are small. 1t will be seen that it is more
profitable to raise large apples. not only
because they sell at better prices. but also
because more No. | fruit will be af-
forded.
Apples, on the whole, have kept well,
although it was feared that the early
October freeze damaged them. This
it did not do except in some linn
tied localities further north, where
some fruit on high ground was
quite badly frost-bitten. Reports from sew
eral quarters represent that russets are
keeping poorly and that Baldwins are last
ing better than russets. 1t is worthy of
observation that red Baldwins keep better
than white or partly white ones. for the
scald. which is the first symptom of decay.
always commences on the white side of
the apple while the red side or red APP
pie will be perfectly sound. The prices
of apples have ruled high yet have fluctu-
ated considerably. In October, No.
Baldwins were started at $3.50 per Dbl.
The first of November they went up TO
$500. The demand soon ease6 off how
ever, and until the first of February there
was very little call for them. During this
interval through December and January
there was quite demand for No. 2's which
have sold from $l,00 to 81 so. The ruling
price for Is through February was So 90,
Notwithstanding several lots were sold at
1925 and $3.50 About the first of March
there was decided fall in the market.
Baldwins selling at $3.50 and S275
Since then prices have risen little, but
have hardly been worth $500 until very
lately. Russets are now worth about
$3.50. Prices in Boston rule our markets.
and are from 80 to IS cents higher on a
barrel.
For orchardists. the past season has been
an exceedingly profitable one, but
for the dealer and speculator it has
been losing game all the way
through and, as prominent dealer
expressed it, ''there has been no money
in apples" The past year was looked
upon as an off year, and it was generally
supposed that there was shortage in the
apple crop; so when buyers commenced
work in he fall high prices were paid.
But the crop. contrary to the calculations
of the dealers, was quite large and kept
the markets well supplied, besides the
consumption of fruit was much smaller
than it would otherwise have been with
low prices. The result was that those
who bought apples in the fall with the ex-
pectation that they would be worth 800
or $500 in the spring were disappointed.
prices having changed but very little, If
any, for the better since the commence
ment Of the season. Fruit that has been
stored has shrunk in bulk. as it invariably
does, and holders have thus suffered a
loss. At one time in February there was
for short time sharp rise in the mar
ket, and one of our shrewd growers, see
ing his chance, sold lot of $50 bb,s. of
Baldwins to Boston firm at $3.50 per
bbl. Before delivery they were worth in
Boston but SO 90 by the carload.
The high prices of apples have had a
marked effect on the foreign apple trade,
which. as compared with other years. has
been decidedly small. The bulk of the
apples shipped have arrived in poor con-
dition and have sold at low prices. while
the shipper has frequently lost. The ex-
ports of apples from the United States
and Canada to Liverpool from September
1st. 1881, to February 2Ah, 1882, were
142.524 barrels against 703. $50 barrels
for the corresponding period last season,
difference of sci 1856 barrels.
shortened Life In the Human Race.
The maturity Of man, calculated by the
completed condition of the skeleton, is 2I
years Twenty-one years multiplied BY Eve
los yeaFy-is therefore tho natural du eas;nn