Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-04-03
CHELSEAFARMER
PLANS IMPROVING
THE maine APPLE
President of Maine Pathological
Society Experimenting by
Hybridizing Best Types

HyDrldlzlng Best types
Chelsea. Me, April 2.-George A.
Yeaton of this town, president of the
Maine Pathological Society, has long
been known as one of the apple experts
of Maine.
From his earliest boyhood he delighted
to be in orchards and was continually
studying some method of improving
them He was but Is years of age when
he began his first experiment of develop
ing an apple from cross between the
Baldwin and the Macintosh Red
Young Yeaton had noticed that the
Baldwin was a little too tender for Maine
winters. while the Macintosh was subiec,
to fungus growth, and he conceived
the idea of hybridizng the two and pro-
ducing stronger tree and a better ap-
pie. To do this he placed a bunch of
buds on a Baldwin tree in a muslin bag
SO that no insencts could reach them to
pollenze the blossoms when they came
out. He then did the same thing on a
Macintosh tree to represent the male pol
len, and this was the first step in his
experiment. The various stages of tie
experiment required some four years ant
then came the hybrid fruit. The apple
was of good size and of delicious flavor
but unfortunately of a light color ant
therefore not fitted for the market.
Not until 1912 did Mr.. Yeaton again TAX,
up the experimental phase of the bust
ness. and that year he made more thar
200 crosses and combinations of ever,
sort and variety, and these are still il
the nursery rows. The buds were not Sc
until last year and Mr.. Yeaton is hop
ing that out of the lot finer apple fol
Maine will be produced than any known
Drawback on Maine Apples
There is some drawback on all our
Maine apples" says Mr.. Yeaton tine
Macintosh Red is not good on all soils
and is subject to a fungus growth that
requires great attention. The Spy is
our finest apple, but is a very tardy
and shy bearer. The Baldwin is lit :
tie too tender. so we now want a fruit
that will combine the good qualities
of all these varieties. That is the prob
Mr.. Yeaton is not a great believer
in dynamite in planting an orchard. He
says that the average farmer cannot
afford the expense, as every blast costs
not less than ~ to Is cents for mate
rial alone. He says that, if dynamite
is used, the hole should be blown in
the fall and the bottom tamped to
prevent surface air from drying the
earth and rootlets. Then the trees
should be set the following spring.
Thin Fruit for Size
IF large-sized apple is wanted the
fruit should be thinned. To allow a tree
to bear fruit as close as it can grow
is certain to produce under-sized apples
that will never sell for fancy fruit. Since
boxing apples has become popular large
and fair fruit is more necessary thar
ever. Another important feature is the
clover crop. When the orchard is well
drained. as it always should be, a Glove,
crop sown in July is a splendid propo.
sition. 1t furnishes mulch for winter
and humus for the soil. Any farmer
must learn the lesson that an orchard tc
do its best must be cared for as well as
corn or potatoes.
Maine has wonderful future for its
apples. providing the farmers rise to the
occasion. Our fruit is finer in color and
navor than in any other section of the
country. and only our own foolish meth.
DDS prevent us from having the prefer.
ence in the markets of the world. ! car
see nothing ahead but cooperation. This
In the western method that has nads
such a great success.
I'VE must also study the market and
send the kind Of fruit demanded. Take
the English market for an example
They want the Rhode Island Greenine
as early as Thanksgiving. To send tht
Baldwin or Ben Davis to Liverpool al
that time is but folly. In Glasgow the
King is in great demand the last OF
October. and they want no other at that
time. The Ben Davis should never bs
put into competition with the Northern
Spy or any other good fruit. This ap
pie and the Russet should always be
among the last shipments Of the season
With proper picking and packing these
rules will yet give Maine fruit the Eng
lish market"
Mr.. Yeaton has q splendid 100-acrs
farm in this town. He was formerl,
assistant horticulturist in the Main,
Agricultural Department and for awhil,
was orchardist at the State Experiment
Farm in Monmouth. He is now doin,
field demonstration work under the aus
pices Of the State Agricultural College
having exclusive charge Of all the worl
in Oxford county.