Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-02-11

no doubt to the lack of snow for the
greater part Of the winter.
with the crop estimates showing
a decided falling off from last year,
high prices for fruit began to circulate
early and many buyers paid s2.75 to
1926 per barrel. AS the fruit was of
a poor quality when it arrived on the
market, the demand was sluggish and
prices were not greatly superior to
last season.
1.-The continuation of the war in Eu-
rope resulted in a relatively small eX-
port trade, although prices on the Liv-
er pool market would have been very
satisfactory in normal seasons. Freight
rates covering transportation to Eng
lish markets started in the vicinity of
$1.25 per barrel and have now reached
the figure Of 81 per barrel with only
limited space. Some of the more fortu-
nate growers and associations have
been able to secure space for $1.25 per
barrel up to the first Of January. Much
of the Canadian fruit has been ship
ped through American ports and they
have offered in some instances a bonus
of from 20 to 80 cents a barrel for
ocean space.
Apple Shipments.
''In the last report this bureau es-
timated that the crop for the past
year would be approximately 100000
barrels. This of course refers to the
commercial crop handled by the vari-
GUS transportation companies. The
actual transportation was $685. 4S7 bar
rels, showing that the bureau was less
than 2000 barrels, or one fourth of one
per cent out of the way. The govern
ment report for the same season was
approximately 100000 bushels. There
is no reason to doubt these figures as
they are based on the total production.
Upon these figures as a basis we find
that the difference between the COM
mercial and the actual production is in
the vicinity of 100000 bushels or
approximately Il waste crop of 20 per
cent of the total fruit produced.
| The reason for this enormous waste
is based upon several factors. These
factors include inferior fruit. varieties
having little commercial value, and low
prices. 1t is generally conceded that
the crop the past year was about 20
per cent of that of the preceding year.
so that we would expect a commercial
crop of 125,0O0 barrels. Notwithstand-
ing the fact that fruit the past year
was much inferior in quality there was
probably larger proportion of the to-
tai crop shipped so that reasonable
estimate would be in the vicinity of
| 10000 barrels
! Another effort is being made to
have the government give a CONNER
f,ir1
al estimate, so called. This would be
of great material benefit to the grower
in that he would have clear under
standing of the competition to expect
from other sections. At the present
time the estimate is a hindrance rather
than help, showing as it does an
enormous supply and one greatly in
excess of the actual commercial con-
sumption. Such an estimate tends to
depress the market at picking time,
and to injure the confidence Of the
grower and speculator alike. This
was probably one big reason for the
lack of activity on the part of the apple
buyers year ago.
another feature of the government
estimate which is more or less mis-
leading is the term normal as applied
to the apple crop.
Licensed Nursery Agents.
During the past season 70 nursery
agents have been licensed to sell stock
in the State Of Maine. The depart
ment has come across evidence
that certain other parties have been
engaged in the nursery business and
steps are under way to bring these
men to account. With the addition Of
these men, however. the total will be
less than 100. which shows a decrease
of over 90 per cent from last year. This
decrease is due in part to the license
fee, but more largely to the very at
tractive prices offered in the catalogues
of nursery firms dealing directly with
the grower. The business of selling
trees by making house to house can
vass is becoming more difficult each
year as most nursery firms pay the
agent at least % per cent of the listed
price and consequently cannot meet
the attractive prices offered by firms
selling without agents. AS the stock
and guaranty does not differ materially
it is difficult to explain to the grower
why he should pay this commission
Nursery Inspection.
'The bureau inspected the several
nurseries in the State as heretofore
and certificates were issued to those
having clean stock.
1T is becoming very evident that the
certificates issued to these various
nurseries should be classified as many
are far from satisfactory outside of
insect infestation and disease infec-
tion. In the opinion of the writer a
class A certificate should be given only
to such nurseries as are absolutely
above reproach and Glass B certifi-
cate given to those which are not re-
ceiving the culture and attention de-
manded in the production of first class
stock. 1t might be necessary even to
make three grades, but there certainly
should be distinction made which will
give to the purchaser an inllling of the
kind of stock he is to expect.
'The Inauguration of State and fed
eral regulations with reference to
quarantine on the gypsy and brown
tail moth has increased the inspection
work Of this department materially,
especially on Christmas greens and