REPORT OF STATE HORTICULTURIST. 



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To the Honorable John A. Roberts, Commissioner of Agricul- 

 ture: 



I herewith submit my fourth annual report as State Horti- 

 culturist, for the year 1914. 



Up to the first of July, the work of the bureau was divided 

 into two sections. I undertook the supervision of the potato 

 inspection in Aroostook County, and Mr. Sweetser undertook 

 the supervision of the usual orchard work. The data on the 

 potato inspection will be found later on in the report. On the 

 general resume of the work done this year, would say that 

 apple packing schools were conducted in three towns in the 

 apple centers, spraying demonstrations were given as heretofore 

 upon solicitation from the growers, the usual inspection of nur- 

 series and nursery stock was carried on, some work was done in 

 inspecting apples in the fall, and the usual time was devoted to 

 the fruit shows. During the year, Mr. Sweetser and I judged 

 fruit at Somerset Central Agricultural Fair, Maine State Fair, 

 Sagadahoc Comity Fair, South Kennebec County Fair and the 

 Pomological Fruit Show. 



In regard to the apple situation would say that the outlook 

 in the early fall was far from encouraging. The Government 

 estimate of the crop was given as 70,000,000 barrels, the largest 

 yield in history, and this estimate, together with the declaration 

 of war in Europe, resulted in a very serious market depression. 

 Generally the state is actively canvassed by different buyers and 

 the competition for fruit is more or less keen. This season 

 proved the exception and in the early buying season these men 

 were conspicuous by their absence. When the buyers did begin 

 to take an active interest in procuring fruit cold weather had set 



