STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



379 



sixt3--five cents per busliol. Thus giving to the fiivmer, with little 

 time and trouble attending, from three to five times the former 

 amount for his fruit. And he can supply his famik with their usual 

 quantity and of a vastly superior quality for the money received 

 from the sale of his crop and retain a liberal margin for profit. 

 Another fact in fisivor of the new process is the keeping qualities. 

 Being simply apples dried, they will remain the same for any length 

 of time if water is withheld. Thus is added to our stock a supply 

 of no small commercial value. While the old method of exposure 

 to the sun often allowed partial decay, thus greatly reducing sts: 

 keeping quality and its value. But the greatest distinction between 

 the two methods remains to be presented. The fruit by the new 

 process is prepared in a few hours, against several days in tlie old, . 

 and is exposed to neither sun, wind, insects nor dirt. The products . 

 are perfectl}" free from dust and all other impurities. The process 

 is carried on in absolute cleanliness. The water only is removed, . 

 and that so rapidly that all the natural elements of the fruit are left 

 undisturbed. No changing of sugar to acids, no transformation to 

 a woody substance, no approach to decay and no mingling of impur- 

 ities, — simply dried apples ; and so natural that the restoration of 

 water restores the fruit to a state so perfect that the Baldwin, Green- 

 ing, Northei-n Spy, or any other variety can readily be distinguished 

 by its flavor. The process is a long step in the direction of improve- 

 ment, and must, on becoming general, revolutionize the fruit growing 

 interest of the State, and place a largely increased revenue in the 

 hands of the farmers. From our present point of observation we 

 look upon the fruit growing interest of our Sta,te as in a healthy and 

 prospei'ous condition. 



But the caj)abilities of our State are compreliended by a few onl}-, 

 and the mission of that few appears to be to enlighten and stimulate 

 the many. ^Ma}' their work be steadily and faithfully pursued until 

 the broad acres of our noble State shall gleam with its pendant 

 golden fruits and everv farmer be enriched bv his abundant harvest. 



o 



Accompanying Mr. Perry's paper, was a letter transmitting a 



"Weekly Apple Report" from Liverpool, dated January 6, 1883, 



concerning which Mr. P. said: "By this you will see that the 



Boston apples, which includes Maine and New Hampshire, sell much 



lower than any other. I think it would be well for the Society to 



inquire into the reason for this, and also as to the kinds best adapted 

 25 



