The Portland daily press., 1872-10-18
Fruit Raising in Maine.-NO. L.
BY HENRY REYNOLDS, NJ. d.

The subject of fruit raising is one of inter
The situation of Maine in regard to markets
has materially changed during the last forty
years. The extension of railroads into the
interior has brought ready market to her
farmers, for all the produce of her farms.
But this same system of railroads has also
been extended to the far "West' and brought
the immense agricultural products Of that
great region into our markets in competition
with our farm products. This competition
has become so great that many of the farm
ers of this Stale have become discouraged,
sold out and removed to the rich prairies of
the West. So great has been this tide of
emigration that many of our towns instead
of increasing in population during the past
ten years have actually decreased. But this
tide is now abating. There is a disposition
among our farmers to carefully survey the
whole subject and determine whether it is
really for their interest, to abandon their old
homes and dear associates, and seek new
homes and new friends in this West; to
consider whether it is absolutely impossible
for the unfertile fields of Maine to successful
ly compete, with the fertile regions of the
West, in our own ma, kets. To successfully
compete with that region in grain and stock
raising must be admitted to be hardly within
the reach of our farmers with their present
system of farm management But in fruit
raising and some other branches of Agricu-
ture we possess decided natural advantages.
| The fruit raised in Maine possesses superb
| ority over that of the West. Apples raised
| he;e are of fine flavor and keep much longer
than Western apples and must have the pref
erence for shipping to warmer climates and
for keeping through the winter.
Fruit raising we consider TO be one of those
branches of Agriculture to which the farm
ers will find it TO their inter- st to devote more
land, time and energy. First we will notice
RAISING APPLES.
The successful cultivation of apple trees is
beset with many difficulties. 1t is not now,
as il was formerly, when the land was new,
and all that was requisite, to rear an orchard,
was to put the trees in their places, without
any subsequent care. Now difficulties in the
way of raising an orchard, are So many, and
so formidable, that many have become we'll
nigh discouraged, and given up the attempt.
Some of the causes of this difficulty, and
their means of remedy we propose first to no.
| tice.
WORTHLESS TREES.
A great deal has been said condemning
| New York trees. This condemnation has
been too indiscrimiDate. That some have
succeeded finely with New York trees none
| can deny. That many more utterly failed
with New York trees is equally certain.
How then are we to account for this con-
flicting testimony? Several causes mus be
taken into consideration. Some have con-
sidered the cause of failure with these trees,
to be due to the fact of their being grown in
richer soil and a warmer climate, thus rem
dering them unsuited to our colder climate
and less fertile soil. Undoubtedly some
weight is due to these considerations, but
they are not sufficient to account for the
wide spread failure of these trees.
The true cause of the failure, we believe
to be found, in the worthless character of
nine-tenths ofthese trees. The trees, though
''root grafting," which means, scions set
in piece of root about two inches
in length which is just sufficient
to- give them a-start and by subsequent high
cultivation, in arid soil, they make fine-look-
ing trees. An old apple tree torn up by the
roots affords material for multitude of these
trees. The grating is done in the leisure of
winter and in the spring they are planted out
These trees, after transplanting, are short
lived, because they possess little vitality.
They are just about as valuable as any other
sprout from an old apple tree, which every
orchardist knows is worthless. Nine-tenths
of the New York trees sold in this State are
of this description, and this is the one great
reason of their failure. This kind of tree,
not only fails in Maine but everywhere else.
About One-tenth of the New York trees have
been good trees, by grating good seeding
stocks. These will account for the success of
few individuals with New York trees.
Other causes of failure there are, for we see
men fail with the best of trees; trees raised
in their own State, or towns, or even on their
own farms. These causes will be further con-
sideied in our next.
East Wilton, Me-, Oct, 18th, 1872.