The Portland daily press., 1888-09-07
SOME OF THE STAPLE CROPS OF MAINE.
What Correspondents say Concern
Ing Them.
a Small Yield of Corn and Apples
Throughout the State.
a Large Yield of Potatoes Of Good
Quality Reported.

ms season has been in many respects a
oiscouraglng one to the Maine farmer, in
asmuch as 1t has been remarkably unfavor-
able Tor the growth of some of the staple
crops Oh this State. This seasons weather,
which has been the cause of the farmer S
trouble, is without PRECEDENT in this vicin-
lty for more than fifteen years. At the
United States army weather signal office in
TINS city the writer learned that up to and
including September Sd there has been thus
lar THIS year, as compared with the normal
for corresponding period of the past fifteen
years, deficiency of 1,O0S0 of heat, and an
excess OF 5.5S inches of rain. The month of
August just past has been the coolest since
the Portland signal Office was established
more than fifteen years ago. AS compared
with the normal temperature Of the month
OF August for the past fifteen years there
was deficiency in heat last month Of So,
and an excess of 80 of an inch Of rain. Con-
sidering the above facts it is no wonder the
corn and apple crop bids fair to fall con-
siderably short this year of what it was last
year or in 1886. 1t would also appear that a
hot, dry period is to follow.
The apple crop Is on the whole consider
ABLY less than two years ago, owing to drouth
IN some sections, cold weather at time of
blooming, and premature dropping of the
M ,FaT a ane principal shipping sections Of
more than three-fourths of a full yield of
winter apples, but a serious shortage exists
along Lake Champlain, region that usually
exports thousands of barrels. Apples are
very uneven and a short yield in Rhode
Island and Connecticut, where the crop in
the valley appears to have been blasted, and
is best on the hills. Western Massachusetts
has fair crop, but for the whole State the
average lbased on 400 reports is only 60 per
cent Eastern and Northern New York
nave very serious. shortage in apples, and
In the Central counties the yield is below the
average, but in the great apple belt along
Lake Ontario, embracing Niagara, Orleans,
Monroe, Wayne and Oswego counties, the
yield OF fine Baldwins is enormous, though
Greenings and Russetts are short. SO great
Will be the shipments, as to seriously affect
prices in other sections. The Western
Michigan apple belt has considerably less
than half crop, Baldwin and Ben Davis
being the best. while Greetings are very
light. The average for the New England
ana New York apple crop is estimated at 81
per cent. against SO per cent. in 1886. This
is considerably below the Aupu-t LIST
estimate Of the department of a.! culture,
but judging from the statements of our
numerous correspondents the above estimate
is nearer correct. No contracts for winter
apples have yet been made, but $1.25 to 15O
per barrel has been suggested for the crop
at the farm or local depot. The average Of
Boston and New York prices for choice
Baldwins at wholesale was 50 and $3.50 per
barrel for the comparatively short crop of
1881, and S1.S7 TO $2;25 for the large crop OF
1886. The prices will probably be maintain
ed at fully the marks of 1886 as the foreign
crop Is short and the export demand will be
so active as to take from 100000 to 1000 .OOC
crop. -
Concerning the corn, the potato and the
apple crop OF our own State, we publish the
following statements of few OF our many
correspondents:
To the Editor of the Press: --Ds' -
Last season / packed 225. 600 cans ~ corn.
This year don't expect to fill over l25 ,OOO but
think the quality will be superior to that OF last
season MY experience teaches me that in a cold
season like this year. the corn is sWeete r and OF
inner quality than in hot season. but it cuts much
lighter Corn seems to have got good growth
this gear, but it Is suckering badly and not SO
many ears as there ought to be- intend to start
up my factory next week, which will be nearly
Two Wee later than last season. My opinion is
lhaI IL the fost holds OFF till the very last of Sep
TENDER we shall get about two-thirds of a crop Of
corn in this vicinity, and 1 know of no place in
western Maine where the corn looks better than
mere In Frysburg, and have had an opportunity
weeks. f'''' ''A "
The potato crop, 1 should say. will be good.
rather above the average, if they do not rot
indeed. r. i. EASTMAN
Messrs. Young & Millken, of Hiram.
Maine, write under date Of September list as
follows: b
10. The apple crop Is considerably lighter than
ast year and the potato crop more favorable with
not as much indication Of rot,
Inc corn crop Is rather backward but probably
n nMI weeks o. good warm weather would
pect quite falling OFF from last year perhaps not
more tnan two thirds crop. We are running three
factories this year, one at Brownfield one at HI
ram and one az East Baldwin Last year we run
TWO VIZ: at Hiram and Brownfield At Hiram
iast year we packed II 900 cases and at Brown
neld about 5000 cases. This year at the three
cases."
ing:
To the Editor of the Press
will say that the outlook for sweet corn is dis
couraglng, indeed. We do not think we shall
pack more than two thirds as much as last wear
for the same acreage about $4,000 cans. Some
packers mere say there will not be more than one
half crop.
pearance now of being an average crop.
There VIII not be full crop Of apples about
seems bearing year for them.
I. III. GREENWOOD,
Sandy River Packing Company.
Concerning these three crops the following
speaks for the region about Dexter;
DEXTER, Me-, Aug Both, 1888.
To the Editor of the Press:
Inc sweet corn crop will be light compared
with last season, we shall not get one half crop.
1t is nearly or quite three weeks later than last
season. | expect to pack 5000 cases; had
there been a good CROP should probably have
packed e, 900 cases. 1t will probably be Sept.
lotn before l begin canning, while last year /
commenced Sept. LIST.
The potato crop is better than last year; better
yield and better quality.
Farmers report fair crop of apples, about the
same as last season. O. II, MOsFg
Packer OF Theoretically sealed goods.
A correspondent writes:
WEST FALMOUTH, Sept Sd.
THE corn crop of Presumpscot valley is fully
Two weeks later, and the yield from quarter TO
half lighter than 1t was last year.
The apple crop will be very light and the potato
yield is fair one, and of very good quality.b