Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1917-12-18

(S1So d0rdculturlss FRANK ID. DuuleyJ
On October 31st and lasting until
November 4th, there Was held at Horti.
cultural Hall, Boston, combined ex.
hibition of the Pomological Society, the
New England Fruit Show and the
Massachusetts Horticultural Society.
The differeLt vLctions OF the United
States were represented by the particular
fruit of that location.
Canada not to be outdone sent fine
exhibit Of apples, many Of these being
raised from seedlings OF the Mcintosh
and Northern Spy.
From Georgia and Alabama came
several varieties of pecans. Virginia
and North Carolina sent persimmons
and fine collection of apples. Rhode
Islands exhibit of boxed and barreled
fruit was very attractive. Perhaps one
of the finest exhibits came from Con-
necticut, consisting of boxed apples.
Massachusetts, was represented by q
goodly amount of fine apples, both
barreled and boxed, and also an attract
I've exhibit Of pears. The exhibits
from Vermont and New Hampshire
while not as large made fine appear
ance.
Maine was represented by a CONNER
cisl exhibit consisting of barreled
apples, and in addition to this, apples In
boxes, plates and hundred lots, which
we're entered In competition with other
New England States, and which brought
to our state several prizes.
Apples were not the only fruit shown
On oro poo from nanv parfa NJ Nav EnU.
land were delight to look upon, and
the canned fruit showed that the New
England housewife was practicing con-
servation.
The ad dresses on various topics de-
livered by men of wide knowledge we're
very instructive and inspiring to those
privileged to listen to them.
Several public spirited Boston citizens
placed their automobiles at the dis
posal of the visitors, and one of the
trips OF much interest taken by the
State Horticulturist of Maine was to the
city Of Fitchburg to visit the extensive
considered the finest in the world.
These orchards consist of nine or ten
thousand practically perfect trees, most of
them being Of the Mcintosh Red variety.
Intelligent and up to date methods OF
fertilization, pruning and spraying have
been combined to bring about these re-
suits.
+ Since the methods employed by Mr..
Marshall are so successful, q few words
In regard to them may not be smiss.
On the older trees which have been sci
about twelve years, the sod mulch sys-
tenn is used. This consists OF heavily
mulching the ground around trees for
an area even larger than the tops cover.
In addition to the grass and hay thus
used, q grounG. bone is utilized, ten
pounds to the tree. The price of potash
which was used formerly is so high that
1t is no longer practical.
For the younger trees, those of two or
three years, q different method is EN-.
ployed, that of cultivation, crops being
planted between the rows.
Generous spraying Is employed in
these orchards. Besides the dormant
spray, used before the foliage appears in
the spring, FIVE sprayings are given at
intervals during the summer and fall
while the apples are In various stages Of
growth, and still later In the season
after the apples are picked, the trees are
thoroughly sprayed for the seventh
time. Since the cold, damp weather of
fall 10 favorable to the growth of scab on
the leaves, which falling to the ground,
send the spores the next spring back to
the tender foliage, this last spray is
recommended az an insurance for next
years crop. It also tends to hold the
leaves later, thus causing the fruit buds
to ripen properly for the next season.
Probably the Mcintosh Red apple is
the most susceptible to scab of any
variety known, therefore, 1t is remark
able that on these thousands Of. trees
there Is absolutely none to be found on
fruit or foliage. So confident is Mr..
Marshall of the efflcaciousness of the
spraying that the offer which he has
made of one dollar for every wormhole
found in the calyx of any apple has been
open for years and he has never had to
surrender dollar.
Mr.. Marshall's two cold storage plants
which take care of this fruit until 1t is
disposed of are models OF their kind. A
perfected ammonia process Is used, the
pumps being run and automatically
regulated by electricity.
This fruit is sorted according to size
into FIVE different grades. The first
grades are marketed In partitioned oor-
rugated pasteboard cartons holding one
hundred apples. The smaller grades
are sold by bulk and marketed in bushel
boxes. There are no seconds in quality,
oil the fruit being perfect.
II the same spraying methods used on
this Massachusetts, farm and the same
amount Of care were put into our own
orchards, Maine with her great natural
advantages of soil and climate would in
Q few years boast of hundreds of
orchards as fine and producing as perfect
fruit.