STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 95 



him responsible for the inferior quality of Maine apples that find 

 their way to market. The bu3er is no more to blame than the 

 farmers, and most shippers would much rather have strictly No. 1 

 fruit than any other. But they have to buy the fruit as they find it 

 and do the best they can with it. 



Mr. Gilbert. If the shippers insisted on having first quality of 

 fruit the farmers would be glad to furnish it. The shippers are too 

 willing to pack No. 1 and No. 2 apples in the same barrel and in 

 consequence the farmer is the sufferer. The improvement should 

 be with the buyers. Let them improve their practices and require 

 better work of the farmers. 



FRUIT GROWING IN MAINE COMPARED WITH OTHER 



AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES. 



By L. F. ABBOTT, Agricultural Editor, Lewiston Journal. 



TakiLg up the subject in a general wa}-, comparison may seem 

 fair and just. But arguing from a given standpoint as applicable to 

 the whole, and basing estimates of successful enterprise in fruit 

 growing in one section of the State with other agricultural branches 

 in another locality, hedged about by differing circumstances of loca- 

 tion as affected by soil and climate, the comparison becomes unfair 

 and misleading. 



The truth of the matter is, in our grand old State of Maine there 

 is such diversity in soil, climate and other modifying conditions, that 

 comparison between those lines of industry requiring unlike environ- 

 ment for their full development, becomes unjust and out of place. 

 Hence, what 1 have to say this evening will be largely in a general 

 way, not drawing the lines too sharph', because in a State like ours, 

 where industries are so varied and everything of the best, all, in one 

 sense, are on a general level. 



And again, in view of the diversity of our agricultural interests, 

 and the development of those industries under the fostering care of 

 the best government, both state and national, that long-suffering 

 humanity ever found fault with, it will not be amiss to consider the 

 general status of agriculture, as well as the agriculturist in Maine at 

 the present time. 



Special lines in agriculture in our State form vast industries in 

 themselves. This may be said of dairying, fruit growing, market 



