REPORT OF STATE HORTlCUIvTURIST. 47 



season of 1911, nor did they attain the brihiant coloring then 

 produced. 



The fruit has averaged somewhat smaller than last year, 

 especially the Ben Davis, and has been selling at a smaller 

 price. Much was sold in the orchard at $1.50 per barrel, which 

 did not leave a great profit when costs of picking, packing and 

 transportation to railroad stations were taken out. Barrels 

 were rather high this season and averaged over 35 cents 

 apiece throughout the State. 



Some of the growers obtained prices as good as last year, 

 especially on some of the fancy varieties. In one section the 

 Gravenstein netted $4.00 per barrel and in another the Mc- 

 intosh, $3.75, Kings as high as v$3.2S and Baldwins, $2.80. 



The associations received on an average much better prices 

 than the surrounding growers, showing that cooperation is a 

 very important factor, not only in disposmg of the fruit, but 

 also in raising the standard and maintaining a strict pack. 



Three new associations were formed this year, — The Kineo 

 Fniit Growers of Foxcroft, the Auburn Fruit Growers of 

 Auburn and the Norway Fruit Growers at Norway. Maine. 

 Each has an attractive label and has put out a pack that will go 

 a long ways toward making them known on the market. In 

 three other localities the movement is started and should come 

 to a head next vear. 



The importance of storage plants was never more noticeable 

 than it has been this fall. Quantities of clean fruit have been 

 sold for a song on account of lack of storage, and the grower 

 was left absolutely at the mercy of the buyer. So much fniit 

 on the market of course made a depression, but it does not 

 seem as if this condition would last, as the amount of fruit is 

 not greatly in excess of the 191 1 crop. 



ORCHARD INSPECTION. 



It was not possible to devote as much time to orchard inspec- 

 tion as was desired, as other work was pressing. We did a 

 great deal in connection with other work, however, and have 

 kept in touch with many orchards during the year. 



As has been said, many are spraying their trees; some but 

 once, others as many as four or even five times. Cultivation 



