A FEW OF THE PROBLEMS FOR MAINE FRUIT GROWERS. 69 



good condition, but after that they lost flavor and color and 

 began to speck badly, at least twenty-five per cent being in bad 

 condition May 20th. Those that were well packed in waxed 

 papers, making practically an air-tight compartment for each 

 specimen, which not only preserves the apples from outside 

 influences, but prevents the germs of decay spreading from one 

 specimen to another, were found in fine condition as late as 

 November ist. On May 20th, barrel after barrel of Spies, Bald- 

 wins, Xewtown Pippins, Jonathans and Fameuse suffered a loss 

 of less than one per cent. One barrel of Newton Pippins, placed 

 at this time, contained but one apple unfit to go upon the table, 

 and the last of those were not removed from the table until thirty 

 davs later. In one case an entire shipment of apples decayed 

 verv badly. Investigation proved that the grower allowed them 

 to stand in the orchard over Sunday, after packing and before 

 shipping, and, as the weather was somewhat warm, they became 

 thoroughly heated. This last item is most important, and so 

 essential do I believe it to be, that after apples are picked I would 

 not permit them to remain in the orchard, or in outbuildings. 

 I would follow Air. Clark's advice and cool them down in the 

 quickest time possible and then keep them cool till they are 

 placed in the market. The use of cold storage in the cities and 

 by many large growers, assures me that Maine fruit growers 

 must provide it in one way or another, or else they will fall behind 

 in the procession. 



There is another thing of which I wish to speak, but concern- 

 ing which I have been unable to obtain very much information. 

 It is the inspection of our fruit before it reaches the market. 

 The Canadians have a law bearing upon this subject, but it has 

 onlv been in force a few months and as yet fruit growers over 

 the line have very little to say of its operation. As we are send- 

 ing more or less of our fruit abroad, this inspection would be of 

 great advantage if it could extend to European and other ports 

 where the fruit is sent. The reports come back to us that the 

 fruit was slack, or some other trouble, and without any evidence 

 save the commission man 3,000 miles away the price is cut down 

 and disappointment follows. The shippers and growers need 

 such inspection to prevent dishonest dealing on the part of the 

 commission man, while the commission man would be able to 

 satisfy the shipper that his apples were properly or improperly 



