STATE PO.MOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 53 



improvin<i the present tacilities for direct transportiition of fruit from 

 the whtuves of the principal lalve cities throngh the St. i.invrence to 

 the Liverpool and London markets. In suggesting the iniporta.nce 

 of securing government appropriations to aid in enlarging certain 

 hiland channels of navigation for the passage of ocean steamei's, b^- 

 which their objects might be attained, the possibility of interference 

 and opposition from those interested in the trans-shipment of western 

 produce from the principal Atlantic ports, whence the bulk of our 

 fruits now go forward by steam conveyance has occurred to them ; 

 as if the subject of speedy and cheap transportation of western 

 Iruits to foreign ports could be inimical to the interests of either the 

 apple-growers of the eastern States or the proprietors of the ocean 

 cari-yiiig-trade. Why we should wish to use an}- obstacles for the 

 prevention of the economical transmission of fruit from the far west 

 to Eur()|)e, I cannot comprehend. The excellent quality and well 

 known reputation of Maine apples in distant markets render it 

 unnecessary that we should feel an}- jealousy of the success of even 

 the most highly favored sections in the matter of seeking a inai-ket 

 for our own .increasing products. Maine, with the maritime prov- 

 inces of Canada, constitutes the very best located position for foreign 

 couDnerciai operations in fruit of any section of the continent 



It has njoreover, all the essential requisites for growing the l)est 

 fruits in unlimited abundance. A million barrels of the best qualit}' 

 of Baldwin applies per year is not an extravagant estimate of the 

 capal)ility of our State to raise for a foreign market within the next 

 twenty-five vears, if our farmers and orchardists improve well the 

 advantages within their control. At tlie lowest probable price, that 

 will be equal to an income of Si. 000, 000 and at average annual 

 prices, not much less than $3,000,000. 



A nota1)le invention is reported from INTontreal of interest to ship- 

 pers of fruit to foreign ports, by which some of our tender and 

 perishalile fruits can be kept for months in good condition and even 

 endure the risks of an ocean voyage to Europe. The inventor, Mr. 

 George A. Cochrane, made a ver}- satisfactory test of his process by, 

 putting awa}- pears, apples and tomatoes about the 23d of Septem- 

 ber, which were mostl}- in excellent condition on the 0th of Decem- 

 ber. He also reported that he had transported melons, tomatoes 

 and such like delicate fruits to the London market the past summer 

 (1881) in perfect condition. 



