Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-09-19
The Apple Crop.

luS AppiC STOPs
The season is now far enough advanc.
ed so that fairly reliable estimate OF
the apple crop not only of our own state
but also of the country at large may be
made up. The Farmer has had little to
say of the crop thus far for the reason
that early estimates have little value.
At this date the apples are far enough
advanced to show what the crop is to be.
In this state the fruit is almost entire
ly confined to trees that did not bear
last year, and to orchards under cultiva-
ton and trees recently we'll fertilized.
As is always the case in years of short
age the proportion of wormy fruit is
considerably larger than last year. The
same is true in regard to the knotty,
One-sided and otherwise imperfect Speci-
mems that will have to be thrown out in
sortiug. Hence the fruit as it now hangs
on the trees and is viewed from dis
tance shows to be more than it will
measure up when barreled. 1t is of
good size, and conditions are such that
further growth may be expected to be
kept up TO the end of the season. Bald
wins will be in short supply.
Our estimate of the crop of CONNER
cial apples in the state is that it will not
be over one-third that of last year.
In regard to the crop throughout the
country the condition might be put into
a single sentence and cover the whole,
so general is the shortage. 1t is rare
indeed that short crop is so even in all
fruit districts as is the case the present
year.
The crop reports of the United States
Department of Agriculture, the latest
are: "Apples continue unfavorable
from nearly all districts" Half crop
is plenty high enough as an estimate for
the leading apple section as whole"
Letters from Wayne county, western
New York, one of the greatest fruit
growing counties of that state, under
date of August 16 state, 'nearly all the
apples in that section have been sold"
Fruit Trade Journal confirms this in
stating: "Chicago agents are in West
ern New York buying apples freely at
two dollars per barrel for the fruit"
Latest authentic reports from Michi-
gan: present apple conditions were
seldom more unfavorable." ''Chicago
dealers have virtually contracted for the
crop of every we'll cared for orchard"
In the Middle West and also in the
Toronto, Canada, district the New York
Packer states: "rhe crop is variouSly
estimated 25 to So per cent that of last
year.
Liverpool agents have just been
the Annapolis valley region and
report crop of $4,000 barrels, about
one half that'of last year.
In regard to the prospective market
value of apples, so long as there is a
surplus in the country the price will be
governed by the market abroad. Wood
all & Co., Liverpool, in their annual
apple report show the crop in the United
Kingdom zone of the worst in years."
while from Holland, Belgium and Ger
many reports all indicate "a small crop"
Thus it is seen there is likely to be a
demand abroad this year for all the
apples we wish to ship. With scarce
half crop in the country, and our home
supply to be drawn from that, it is safe
to conclude that the crop this year will
sell for a fair price. Market reports
show choice early fruit selling at good
prices in the home marketS.-Maine
Farmer