Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-01-01
A Higher Standard for Maine Apples,

n utgnef Stanodro Tor maine Apples.
What 10 the reason that many orchard
lists In the State of Maine do not awake
to the splendid opportunities We have in
the state for the growing of strictly
high grade apples and secure and
hold the trade for this high grade
fruit? Look into the fruit stores
in the cities. What do you see
for apples? Are they grown in Maine,
or do they come from q distant part of
the country?
A large amount of fruit is used every
year In the eastern part of the country
By people who want first class fruit.
They are among the best paid people in
the world and when they can purchase
fruit raised and packed in the right way
in the state of Maine, they are willing to
pay good prices for it.
Let us consider what is the result Of
raising first class fruit packed right and
delivered in good condition at the
stores. called at fruit store In one of
our Maine cities the last of November
1917. and inquired of the man il he had
any Maine grown apples, and was in
formed that be did not have any, but
had fine lot OF western grown apples
that be was selling at five cents each or
fifty cents dozen. he also had some
smaller sized apples Of the same variety
at forty cents dozen.
just think of apples raised thousands
Of miles away shipped across the
country and then sold right in the heart
Of the apple growing section OF the state
of Maine at prices that we have been
unable to get for our Maine grown fruit.
Does anyone claim that the western
apples are superior in flavor to ours?
Are there any apples grown anywhere
that are superior in flavor to our Nc
Intosh Red, Gravenstein, or Northern
Spy when they are grown under proper
conditions?
When our orchardists take the best
care of their trees by cultivatiug, prun-
ing and spraying, they will get better
results. The trees should be thoroughly
sprayed and the ground we'll cultivated
and fertilized. The trees should be
pruned 90 that they will be open headed,
thus allowing the sun and air to pene-
trste all parts of the tree. BY TINS
method the fruit ought to be high color
ed and free from imperfections. The
fruit should be thinned out SO that the
apples will be of good size.
When this is done, We will be able to
90 to the leading markets OF the East
with q sample of our fruit, and tell them
that the goods We deliver will be just
the same as the sample. When we have
secured this trade We will be able to at
tain it by having the fruit up to high
standard. In this way we will be able
to hold the best markets for our apples.
have had called to my attention this
year boxed apples that were selling for
s3 25 Now. II we can get prices like
that for our first class fruit, We can use
TO the best advantage the other grades
which are left.
With apple barrels selling in some
cases as high as forty-two and forty five
cents each and with the high cost OF
packing and shipping, we ought to send
our highest grade of fruit to the markets
in order to compete with others in the
market. In this way We shall realize
larger profit from our orchards, and our
farms will increase in value, more
people will become interested in fruit
culture, and Maine will take her proper
place in orchsrding.
Each year there are more growers
showing real interest. They are pack
ing first class product and receive very
good returns for q large part of their
crops. But in spite of this increase there
are some who are behind and are not
packing right. These are the people
who keep the reputation of the pack of
our Maine apples from being what it
should be, and thereby hurt those who
are putting up the better grades.
In most commodities now coming to
the public it has been found more re,
munerstive to market the best product
properly labeled, thus giving every
evidence of square deal on the part of
the packer and producers. a. EATON,
Assistant Horticulturist, Maine Depart
ment of agriculture.