48 ACRICl'LTURK OF MAINE. 



in and hundreds of barrels of apples were frozen. Quantities 

 of fruit were left on the trees or s)haken off and left on the 

 ground. Fruit could have been bought on the tree for from 

 twenty-five to fifty cents a barrel in many sections. Buyers 

 paid generally $1.25 a barrel f. o. b. loading station for Fancies, 

 ones and twos. 



The folly of disposing of our apple crop through local buyers 

 has been painfully apparent and it would seem that a strong 

 current of feeling should be manifested in cooperative organ- 

 ization. Many growers who bave hitherto depended upon the 

 local buyers were forced to consign their fruit to commission 

 men, dispose of it in local markets, or allow it to repiain on the 

 tree. Because of the unsettled market conditions and the fact 

 that such men in a majority of cases were unknown to the trade, 

 prices were far from satisfactory. Growers who had been 

 disposing of their own crop for a period sufificient to give them 

 a market standing received from $1.50 to $3.00 a barrel for their 

 fruit. Many of these men and some of the associations took 

 advantage of cold storage so that a good deal of Maine fruit 

 remains yet unsold. 



Probably the fruit from Maine this year was as good as has 

 been produced thus far. The season was not conducive to scab 

 in the early period and developed into a fine fall for maturing 

 fruit. Because of this and the fact that insect infestation was 

 below normal, fruit was clean, attractive and of extra fine 

 quality. It is estimated that the commercial production this 

 year will be in the vicinity of 600,000 barrels as against 340,980 

 for last year. 



One new association has been added during the year, known 

 as the Kenndbec Hillside Fruit Growers' Association of Kent's 

 Hill and it is expected that good work will be accomplished as 

 it is made up of keen, live apple growers. 



The Oxford Bears Fruit Growers' Association succeeded in 

 getting the contract for the fruit sold on the Maine Central Rail- 

 road. Hitherto the railroad has sold practically all western 

 fruit. This should make a good foundation for the establish- 

 ment of a fancy Maine trade, which ultimately can drive the 

 western fruit out of our local markets if proper attention is 

 paid to pack and package. 



