Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-02-26
MAINE APPLE
CROP OF 1917

NRO1 VI 1Jll
Tho orchards of Maine showed a
eood bloom, but on account Of the cold
Mct spring, apples did not do well, ac-
cording to the annual report of Frank
II. Dudley Of Auburn. the State horti-
culturist, which has been filed with the
Governor and Council:
Pen Davis apples were particularly
shy in some sections" continues Mr.
Dudley.
The commercial apple crop is csti-
mated at about % per cent. of full
crop OF about $50. 900 barrels against
1925 Tor tho preceding years, There
il no record Of those sent out Of the
state by team or automobile, OF con-
Sumed within the borders Of the State.
The federal government estimate Of the
crop for 1917 is 1,213,00 barrels. APP
pies were sold during the past season
for varying prices. OrChardists selling
in the early summer received per bar
rel only $500 and s2.25, later S2.75, and
in some sections, the prices rose to
$500 and S3.20.
september IA, l formed fruit
growers association at Wintcrport.
I Up to that time, tho orchardists OF that
district had not disposed Of their crop.
but within few weeks their Wolf
I River apples were sold for S4.25, f. o. b.
| This price was made possible In So
short a time by their becoming mem
ucrs of the Fruit Growers Exchange,
the central organization Of the fruit
! growers aSSOcia ton.
There are at the present time 20 Of
these associations in this State, most
Of them allied with the Exchange.
| Three of these | have formed the past
! season.
\ Dust Spray.
4 Dust spray, or busting fruit trees,
| has been tried out in this state for the
| first time during the past season and
| bids fair TO become universally used.
I This method is not new, however. as it
( has been used in the Southwest for
several years. This has been much
! used in hilly districts where heavy
1 load would be burdensome. 1t is also
used in sections where water is scarce.
! Several eastern states have been OK
perimenting with this process for few
/ years past. For time saver, there
can be no comparison. as with we'll
equipped outfit there is no stopping of
/ the machine or horses from the time
the hopper is filed until it is emptied,
or the orchard sprayed
Small Fruits.
! Although the planting of small
\ fruits has steadily increased for several
I years. not half of its possibilities have
i been attained. Nor has it been given
! the amount of attention which SO am
| ply ,epays the care. Many times the
amount of this fruit could be disposed
of than is now raised. Especially is
this true of raspberries which will not
stand up we'll under long shipments,
thus eliminating from competition the
southern products. With the over
bearing varieties OF both raspberry and
strawberry. we are now able to enjoy
small fruits for a much longer period
than in years past
Inspection Of Nurseries.
In order to facilitate the work of
inspection In Carleton Orchards and
state nurseries, | prepared q fun list of
them divided by counties. Tn carrying
out this branch of the work ] was as
sisted by s H. Eaton. the assistant
horticulturist, who inspected nearly
half OF them More careful inspection
was necessary the past year on ac-
count Of the white pine blister rust
which is q serious menace throughout
the southern part Of the State. The
alternate hosts Of this are tho currant
and soosehcrry bushes which have beon
carefully examined for signs of this
disease.
The pine wcevil which infosts the
tops Of the pine and spruce has also
been found in nurseries WhcTc ever
greens are grown. Nn certificate has
been given until the nursery was
cleaned Of this pest. Crown gall has
been found on raspberry bushes in
nurseries. These nurseries nave Neou
doing business for several years
thereby spreading the disease from
place 10 place. Nurseries 50 infected
arc not only given a certificate to sell
but the movement Of plants from such
places has hcen prohibited.
~ few cases Of raspberry root borcr
have been found. and in one nursery all
plants 50 infested wore removed ana
burned. but whore the were only n FEW
infcstations found. special attention
was called 10 tho fact that no roots 50
infested should he sent cut
Carleton Orchards.
Maine has So Carleton orchards
scattered through Is counties Most Of
these have been inspected during the
past year and careful directions given
for the treatment of them. Strict at
tention should he given to this line Of
work
"Onc contestant withdrew on account
IF serious mice injury - his trees.
Last winter, apple trees in n:nr:- pats
Of the state were Cirdled by mice which
did thousands of dollars worth Of dam
age. This might have been prevented
by the use Of tarred paper The paper
should he wrapped around the trees in
the fan to ? height Of two feet. This
wrapping should be removed in the
spring. or fine screening might nc used
and left on the trees the year around