Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-12-30
A MAINE EXPORT.
Barrels and Barrels of Apples From
Here Going Abroad.

Apples by the barrel, apples by the
box and apples in all kinds of fancy
wicker baskets We're among the most
popular of the Christmas gifts which
Americans sent to their friends and rel
atives the other side of the Atlantic this
year and a large proportion of them are
products of Maine orchards. Every out
going steamer which has sailed from
American ports for two Weeks past has
carried great quantities OF the luscious
fruit, the White Star liner, Teutonic.
alone, which sailed last week, having
10000 barrels tucked away in her hold.
A large proportions Of the Maine crop.
which was bought by out of the state
buyers, is being disposed ef in this way.
While for many Christnasos past the
American ample has been fayoritc cift
and the steamship have cav
ried great quantities Of Chem to E.15land.
this year is, according 10 the freight anu
express agents. the record breaker BY
thousandsiof barrels.
For instance the American liner Phil
adelphia. which sailed from New York
for Chorbourg ana southampton. last
week. had on board about $500 barrels
and 5000 boxes Of apples. while the
North German Lloyd liner Kronprinz
Wilhelm, had about 5,000 boxes more
Some of The apples, OF course were go
ing to dealers in England and Scotland
but no inconsiderable part was consgn-
cd to individuals, as a momento of the
season OF rejoicing. sent by some one on
this sid" who was near to them either by
friendship blood.
The apples for gift purposes are all
especially picked and then wrapped ii
fancy tissue paper. The best Of the
Maine crop is particularly priced. For
weeks past the lruiterers i'll the big cities
have beer getting in the choicest apples.
and after they had polished them 10 a
glossiness that gave them an almost MIR
ror like appearance they were placed on
exhibition for the scrutiny of the foreign
trade. and for days past the houses Of
the fruit dealers have been throngeu
with the intending purchasers and the
clerks have been kept constantly busy
disrosing Of the fruit, and taking down
the names Of some cousin, sweetheart,
or friend on the other side of the Attain
tie to whom the fruit was to be seut.
The boxes and baskets in which tie
apples that are sent across are made up
in all kinds Of fancy designs, in coiors
to suit the fancy of the purchaser. The
apples are then packed away in the
baskets and boxes in any style that the
purchaser mag desire, and it may he
stated that the fruitcrers can fix them to
SUIT the most faSudlouS taste i'll that
line.
The most popular apple. for foreign
gifts are the Pippins and the Baldwin,
and since the season began the fruterers
have had the choicest specimens of those
two species. Asked the other why ii
was that the American apple is SO popli-
lar abroad, the manager of one of the
transatlantic express companies said
that it was due -imply to the superior
flavor and the great beauty of the Amer
lean variety.
There are apples on the other side.
he said, but they are not to he com.
pared with the American product. Not
only is the American variety infinitely
superior in flavor, but it is most suscepti-
BILE of q greater and much more lus~
trous polish. Why some of the apples
we have been sending over this week
look like French plate mirrors, they are
so shiny. We are not sending any APP
pies to places outside of England and
Scotland ana Ireland. The French,
Germans and Belgians, it would appear.
have not learned what a fine treat they
are missing, and until they do the trade
so far as they are concerned will proba-
bly, amount to very little, Just as it docs
today. The apples are all placed in the
coolest and best ventilated parts of the
cargo space on board ship. and owing 10
their splendid preseryative qualities they
are generally in perfect condition when
they are landed on the other side of the
OCEAN