Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-03-07
STATE HOUSE.
Sec. KnowIton of Pathological
Society on Maine Fruit.
Successful Farmers Institute at 1ur-
ner Center, Wednesday.
Articles of Association Filed by Lin
coin County Street Railway.

d. II. KnOWlton of Harrington, sec
rotary of the State Pathological Society,
in his annual report. just issued. thus
speaks of Maine fruit in 1860 and 1871:
The fruit of 1900 so far as it was
placed in the market this year brought
good prices. The last shipment 10
Europe was made from Skowhegan-Soo
barrels of Ben Davis, which netted the
grower $500. The panic in prices in the
fall which caused so many to sell at
nominal figures led our executive COM
mittee to ask President Gilbert to as
certain and publish the actual condl-
ton Of the crop Of 1901. His bulletin
has been published. Buyers in Maine
this year sent parties out to estimate
the quantity of fruit in certain orchards
and based on this estimate offers were
made for the lot. In one case the
buyer offered 5000 for a lot and the
owner declined to sell at that price. He
paid out then for harvesting $S3 and
the same man paid him $500. He thought
he sold too soon, and 50 did I, for IS
barrels of the lot were Kings. Some
are still holding their fruit, and it re-
mains to be seen what the price will be.
1t was not the purpose of the bulletin
to tell people when to sell or what they
should ask for their fruit; it was rather
to advise the fruit growers of the guam
tity and condition of the crop, leaving
them to draw their own conclusions.
"Of the crop of 1901 in Maine the early
estimates We're nearly all wrong. The
early indications were unfavOrable, as
the blossom was irregular and occurred
during cold, damp weather-too cold for
the bees TO work. and there were more
or less showers. The season was favor
able later on and as the fruit matured
every one was surprised at the size of
the crop, which was much larger than
anticipated and of excellent quality.
Apples were never better in Maine than
this year, and the buyers from out of
the State are enthusiastic over the
Maine apple, and one OF these buyers
has purchased a Maine orchard. One
farrner.tried in vain last year to sell
his farm for $500. and this year he har-
vested r250 barrels of choice fruit. An
other man a few years ago had the
courage to buy a farm for a thousand
dollars His friends thought he could
never pay for it, but this year he had
900 barrels of fruit. Another young
IIi2n ON iieu Hall DI tEc Olu IaTn OH
which he was born and gave his
brother $500 for the other half. He
gathered 600 barrels of as fine apples as
ever grew, most of which are in cold
storage at this time These instances
teach their own lessons, and there are
many more that have come to my
knowledge.
our buffalo exhibit called the at
tentiOn of buyers to Maine fruit, and
they have come in from all quarters.
Sc great has been the American de-
mand that foreign buyers have not
found people so ready to send their
fruit abroad. But the result of this is
that a large part of the fruit has al
ready been sold at satisfactory prices,
while those who are holding their fruit
are expecting still better prices. Nor is
this ALL cider apples and apples for
canning have also found a good mar
ket. Estimates of the crop place it
from 80, 900 to 100000 barrels-probably
about 800. 1000