4 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



set, and that which did mature was of inferior quality, being infested 

 with worms and more or less injured by the scab. Some localities 

 were more favored, and while there was less than an average crop 

 and more inferior fruit, the high price of fruits brought more than 

 the average receipts. This was especially true in parts of Kennebec, 

 Franklin, Androscoggin and Oxford counties. Buyers came early, 

 and the first price made for average No. 1 fruit was from three dol- 

 lars to four dollars per barrel, while later in the season the choicest 

 No. 1 Baldwins sold in Boston as high as six dollars, and the Northern 

 Spy in several instances brought eight dollars per barrel. There 

 was an unusual demand for evaporated and canned fruit, and all the 

 apples that were not considered good enough to sell in a green state 

 found their way to market at a profit to the grower. In some 

 instances the best evaporated apples have sold as high as sixteen to 

 eighteen cents per pound. Where fruit was largely evaporated or 

 canned, the parings and cores found a market at a paying price. 

 The season was an exceptionally favorable one for the growth of the 

 trees. The winter of 1890-1, however, was one of unusual severity, 

 and the Baldwin and some of the tender varieties were injured in 

 consequence. 



It is exceedingly surprising that more small fruits are not raised in 

 the State. As yet our growers are unable to supply the local 

 markets. The rule is that growers find the industry profitable and 

 are planting more extensivel}'. Of raspberries and blackberries 

 there has been a large increase in the number of plots. There is 

 just enough of this sort of fruit growing done to indicate that those 

 who engage in it more largely are going to realize results from Maine 

 lands never dreamed of before. 



The officers of the society have endeavored to use their influence 

 to secure for the fruit growers of the State all that the importance 

 of the industry demands. The Executive Committee urged upon 

 the officers of the State College the desirability of so extending their 

 work at the college and experiment station as to give the interests of 

 horticulture greater prominence. It was also their pleasure to urge 

 His Honor, Governor Burleigh, in behalf of Maine fruit growing to 

 recommend an appropriation in his annual message for the World's 

 Columbian Fair. Later, in the interests of the fruit growers, the 

 president and secretary joined with the representatives of other 

 agricultural organizations and attended a hearing of the State Col- 

 lege trustees in Bangor. During the session of the last legislature 



