4: STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



SO that we are iuclined to give them little consideration. Here in 

 Maine the young trees, that are coming into bearing may explain 

 the deception, but it is a significant fact that most of the large 

 orchards bore small crops of fruit. 



CAUSES OP BLIGHT. 



In most parts of the State there was a full bloom, and just 

 what caused the blight later has been much discussed and has not 

 yet been fully settled. There is however the best of evidence that 

 the scab fungus was one of the most active agents. The scab, or 

 some other cause on trees in the writer's neighborhood acted appar- 

 ently on the foliage, blossom and fruit. Early in the season the 

 trees were dotted with yellow shrivelled leaves, aad all through the 

 season an examination of the leaves revealed the presence of dis- 

 ease, and scientific men assure us that it is the scab. Whatever it 

 may be, if it continues a tew years longer the indications are that 

 many trees will die. Good results have followed spraying as will 

 be seen in Professor Munson's paper, which forms a part of the 

 present volume. 



THE MARKET. 



So far the market for apples has offered only low prices for fr^iit. 

 A large part of the crop was sold early in the season at $1.50 for 

 No. 1 fruit, but the buyers found no profit in paying that price. 

 Apples from several points have been shipped in bulk to western 

 cities. The only selection called for was that the red apples 

 should be dumped into the same car. One lot contained at least 

 twenty kinds. For fruit in this condition the buyers have paid SI 

 per barrel. These apples were shipped to western cities to be sold 

 in bulk to hawkers. While the growers may get fair pay for their 

 fruit, the reputation of Maine apples will surely suffer. Some 

 political writers have charged a part of the low price to the action 

 of the new tariff. Of course Canadian fruit now pays a less tariff 

 than under the previous law, and to this extent the price must 

 yield. Later in the winter fruit sold higher where it had been held 

 by the growers. 



STYLE OF PACKING. 



The agents of English buyers are assuring the public of better 

 prices for the remainder of the season. They also emphasize the 

 new style of packing and claim that the fruit carefully wrapped in 



