72 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



What to grow for market, is to a certain extent an individual 

 matter. The markets of the world, however, want the best, and 

 will always pay a fair price for it. It is well to remember that 

 an attractive appearance counts for very much in the sale of 

 fruits ; but this is not all. Ben Davis, which for years has sold 

 almost wholly on its appearance, is now coming to be recognized 

 at its true worth. We may honestly differ as to the essentials 

 which make for the success of any given variety, but all will 

 agree that the higher the intrinsic merit of any product, and the 

 more honestly and attractively it is marketed, the greater will 

 be the chance for success and profit. 



What the markets want first is quality — including appear- 

 ance — and quantity is the next consideration ; for the successful 

 shipper must have enough fruit to command the attention of the 

 market. The fruit should be carefully graded, placed in new 

 full-sized packages, and full measure should be guaranteed. 



The so-called "short" berry box or grape basket, apple barrel 

 or box, is an abomination and a disgrace to the American grower 

 or shipper who uses it. The flour barrel, which is largely in 

 use in Maine, is of good generous size and is perfectly legitimate, 

 but it should always be thoroughly washed and dried before use. 

 The flour dust upon the fruit is regarded with suspicion by 

 buyers, and will often cause a cut of 25 or 50 cents in price. 

 Only a few years ago the practice of spraying fruits in this coun- 

 try was severely condemned by certain of the English papers 

 because, it was said, "the fruit in the London markets showed 

 the poison on the surface of the fruit in the form of a fine greyish 

 or whitish powder." The trouble was that flour barrels had 

 been used by the shipper. 



Now because of the geographical position of New England, 

 the foreign apple trade, which amounts to about one and one half 

 million barrels a year, is of the greatest importance. We all 

 know that in this trade, as well as in the home trade, there is a 

 great deal of dishonest packing, but because of the method of 

 selling in European markets fruit is there placed more nearly on 

 its merits and any dishonesty is at once disclosed. Our Canadian 

 friends have learned the lesson that the policy of honesty on the 

 part of individual packers must be enforced or the commercial 

 reputation of the country as a whole is endangered. Is Maine 

 less progressive than her neighbor, and will she sit quietly by 



