Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1919-06-03
Horticulture In Maine.
(F1nk 81. Dudley, State Horticukuristl

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Maine 10 especially adapted fol
orcharding, since hiily, rolling land l.
ideal for orchards. The price of land
enters to q certain extent into the
orchard project, and fine orchard land
may be bought at . reasonable figure. <
Maine apples have long been noted fol
their fine flavor and quality, and IL Il
generally conceded that, for most varie.
ties, the natural conditions of the State
OF Maine are unsurpassed. The fruit
stands mp well under long shipments and
keeps we'll. An expert from ont of the
state made the following statement: II
do not hesitate to affirm that the apple
Is not only the safest and most profitable
orchard crop in New England, but on
account OF its wonderful adaptability to
succeed on so many types of soil, 1t is,
next to the dairy cow, the most valuable
asset TO New England agriculture. In
no state that have visited do I find
greater opportunities for orcharding
than in Maine. There Is an abundance
Of land, thousands of locations that have
the atmosphere and surface drainage,
that is so essential in establishing our
modern orchards. 1t also has soil and
climate that develop a product fine in
appearance and Of high quality. The
gateway Of the export market is on your
own coast, while the home markets of
the eastern section of the United States
are made mp Of the most discriminating
and appreciative class of consumers in
the whole country"
he also said: ~ verify believe that
as broad and general proposition Maine
offers greater advantages for apple grow
ing and larger financial returns for the
capital invested than does California
with it's oranges"
Several varieties Of apples have origi-
mated In Maine soil. Prominent among
them are the Rolfe, Founding, Perfect,
Winthrop Greening, Psrlin, Stowe, Dud-
ley, Ounce and Starky.
The orchardists OF Maine are not dis
couraged Notwithstanding the heavy
losses the last few years from winter
injury. There are approximately $780,.
900 apple trees in Maine which annually
yield about four and three-fourths mil
lion bushels. Suitable marketing facili-
ties will stabilize the business, and to
meet this need, twenty-three fruit grow.
srs' associations have been formed in
Maine, also q central body, the Maine
Fruit Growers Exchange, its purpose
being the supervision of the other asso-
The last local association to
be organized was at Standish, the Oak
Hill Fruit Growers Association, organ
lied May 7th, 1919. 1t is expected others
will be organized before winter as q sys-
tematic effort is to be made along that
line.
The future shipment of apples: The
orchards of France and Italy are some
what devastated and England, Germany
and Russia neglected, so I see no reason
why we should not receive good price |
FOR our apples for several years to come. |
The last shipment before the ban was
put on brought over $500 per barrel.
The first shipment after the war netted |
between $500 and $500.
Small fruits are raised to quite an ex-
tent, raspberries, strawberries and black |
berries, the value of same being from
s22O, 900 to $4,000 annually, some
farms growing fifteen or more acres OF
Plums and pears are also
raised for the home markets.
Maine grows apples of fine texture and
unsurpassed flavor and her slogan Is
Eat Maine Apple To-day"