, 1853-11-12
Agriculture and Fruit Growing
GRAND MouND, Nov. Ist 1853.

! GRAND MOUND, NOV. lSt 1898.
Mr.. EDlToR:-I see of late YOU have
been trying to rouse the farmers Of our be
loved country from their dormant sleep, to
the interests Of Agriculture, (or TO their in
tcrcs s.) Don't be discouraged, dear Co.
LUMEIAN, in a C0od cause, for think your
hints can be taken without kicks, or ought
at least to BE-, when they are to the interest
of the one addressed. We boast of as pro-
ductive and healthy a country as can any
one. Now LET not our boasiing be in vain,
but prove to a demonstration that il is even
So Let us not initiate our ncighboTing SIS
ter, or some of its old settlers at least, who
have been in the country since '15 and have
hardly one acre in cultivation, not raising
the necessary vegetables for their own con
sumption. No ! but let US put our hands to
the plow, remembering that old but good
adage of FRANKLlN-and with him let us
one and all say that
ale who by the plow would thrive,
Himself must either hold or drive"
In regard to fruit growing it has been
proved beyond doubt by experiment, that
this is one the best countries in the Union
for raising the staple Fruits, the climate and
soil being well adapted A rich treasure
lies within the reach of every farmer in our
Territory in the profusion of different kinds
Of fruit. Yet how few are avalling them
selves fully Of its advantages. In travelling
over our country, how few signs of fruit
growing do we sec. Arc we all aware Of
the large profits accruing thereirom, say
nothing Of luxuTies or real doWcsIic com
forts! Now bushels per tree is considered
fair average yield for the apple, with good
cultivation. Well, with 40 trees per acre
equal to 200 bushels, at present price S..
per bushel, equals $1,000 or at 81. per
bushcl, which is a very low estimate, ii
would be equal to the interest of $1,000.
per acre. Now who in this Territory can
not, will not, devote at least one acre Of his
l60, 800 or GAO to FRUIT, and make ii of
more value than he considers his whole
claim TO be worth. How many Of us know
that within our reach, lies a yearly circle
of fruits? If we look back 10 see from
whence sprung our thousand excellent va
rieties Of Apples, we will see that they all
originated from the crdb-iIom the crab we
have the Golden Pippin, the Baldwin, Rus
set, and many other excellent varictles.--
The Pear has lost its thorns and become
Bartlett, Secklc, or Bergamonte, or other
fine melting varieties. The dry and taste
less Peach has at length becomSa delicious
and tempting fruit. Bring removed from
their natural and worthless state by cultlva-
ton, shall 1ce hesitate 10 take them in their
improved form, still pcrlecting thrml Our
berries in natural state are not "bad to
take" still their size and quality can be
greatly increased by cultivation. Fiist we
have the Strawberry, which is the most heal
Thy and delicious Of all berries then sue
ceods the delicious and agreeable Raspber-
ry then the juicy and delicate Cherry, the
rich, juicy and bloom-dustcd Plumb the
delicious and melting Peach. Then the
world renowned fruit, the Apple, and the
rich, melting, buttcry Pear, the favorito Of
modern timcs-the last two extending their
season of ripening through autumn and
winter and far into the succeeding year, so
we see that in a short time it can be, (and
shall il not be y within the reach Of every
farmer to have some of these fruits the en-.
tire year. He has only to plant the seeds,
then cultivate thcm--fOr he cannot expect
them without some labor and expense-let
him do well his part, and nature will do hers.
Shall we not convert our excellent soil TO
good purpose, by planting it out with orch
ards Of different kinds Of fruit, recollecting
we plant not only for the rising generation,
but for ourselves? Will it not be conducive
to health, wealth and happiness lfso, let
us be adding, and ere long our North-wes
tern Star, although a small one, will shine
as brilliant as any in the Union.
PLow Boy.