STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 93 



It is very gratif yiog to find that there is a strong feeling growing up 

 here that the very- inferior fruit should not be sent across the water 

 but be disposed of upon this side. As I am strongly convinced it 

 would prove to the interest of growers both individualh' and collec- 

 tively that only fruit of fair size and quality should be selected for 

 shipment. This would reduce the quantity for shipment and the 

 fruit shipped would procure better prices in consequence. The 

 increased prices for the better quality shipped would, I should say, 

 more than make up the loss on the inferior fruit thiough disposing 

 of the latter here. 



Independently of this, however, it would follow that if no inferior 

 fruit were shipped Maine apples would further improve their great 

 reputation and this would result in their having a higher relative 

 value compared with apples from other parts than is the case at 

 present. 



This is undoubtedly a very important matter for the consideration 

 of growers, and being much interesied in the quesliou I am much 

 pleased to find such insistence being laid upon these facts at this 

 meeting. 



As regards the best varieties for shipment, the hard winter kinds 

 are those in demand. The Baldwin, as you well know, stands first 

 Id the list, there being far more of this fruit shipped than anything 

 else. This fruit has the gieat merit of standing handling well and 

 upon the whole is about the most satisfactory fruit fur export, being 

 a great favorite and always in demand. Kings biing the highest 

 prices of any Maine fruit, but it seems to be generally conceded the 

 results to growers of this fruit are not as great as for Baldwins. 

 Northern Spies, Greenings, Ben Davis, etc., also have a ready 

 sale. The Ben Davis up to the present has done very well but it 

 will not do to trust too much to this fruit maintaining its present 

 position, as should shipments largely increase it is probable that 

 present prices com|)ared with other fruits would not be maintained. 



I have only mentioned winter fruit as suitable for shipping because 

 under present conditions of shipment the risk of sending fall fruit is 

 so great that I always fee 1 compelled to discourage the experiment 

 of sending it. If it could be got over in good shape it no doubt 

 would do well and give satisfactory results ; but this is such an 

 uncertainty as to approach the impracticable. The da}' may come 

 when it will be possible to send by steamers provided with special 

 holds and contrivances for keeping fruit cool but until then growers 



