Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-09-20
Finding q Fruit Market.

L. r.
Editor Of S0r:-At last L discover that the
Fruit Growers are moving, moderately for
a market. Better late than never-better
without purpose than not at ALL When
saw four years ago that the nurseries here,
about were annually exhausted of their
STOCK from the extensive planting going on,
l saw also mat under the circumstances the
business OF frult growing would be overdOne
as soon as the trees then set should come
into bearing; said so to growers generalI v
as L met them. With that assurance that is
always the outgrowth of a lack of observa-
ton and disregard OF the teachings of expe.
rlence-Which the mass of the producing
classes generally evince-I was generally
dlscredlted and pOOhed at. i said this will be
the result certainly, and TO avoid disaster
arrangements should be made at once with
the railroad companies to carry the fruit to
northern markets. l said, too, that such
steps should be taken at once so that the
roads would be in readiness when the super
abundance should come, as come it would.
l generally received such a contemptuous
smile as ignorance and business stupidity
have TO give. l said the railroads them
selves ought to be sharp enough to see that
there was business in this fruit carrying,
and for that reason to take the initiative in
encouraging fruit growing, by proposing to
the growers conveniences for CARRYING fruit
10 northern markets, and cheap rates of
transportation. i related many times in
these conversations with the growers the
fact that the Illinois Central railroad en-
Outraged the growth of fruits in southern
illinois, in the view of certain business
gains. 1t sent its agents down into the re-
gion OF the state, extending south from
Bloomfield, saying To the farmers: You have
region so mild in temperate re that peaches
ard many other fruits that will bear trans
portation distance 10 market can be grown
successfully. Go at fruit growing and we
assure you that on our part the necessary ar
rangemeE Is 10 carry your fruit safely, speed
lily, and cheaply TO market, shall be consum-
mated by the time your orchards shall come
INTO bearing. That very fact made a fruit
growing and freight business in Illinois.
Wen, the country round about this city is
now over producing in fruits, and will con-
t1nue 10 do so ordinarily favorable seasons for
some years to come, If the tree planting is
not increased over past years even. This sea-
son when the abundant fruit crop was lite
rally rotting In the wagons OF the growers,
the thought so welcome, though very late
of a market abroad, came to mind As was
TO be expected, satisfactory arrangements for
transportation and rates was out of the
fruit transportation TO markets abroad have
been dlsheartenlng, and disastrous 10 the
pocket, generally.
Now, before concluding this article, let me
survey the field OF fruit growing, for the ben
eft of the growers. Round about this CITY,
in the states OF Maryland and Virginia is a
region In which farming is the sorriest kind
of business. People farm Ii / know-alloy-
ing me some considerable departure from
nteralness in the use OF terms-and they live
and the fact is standing demonstration that
miracles have not ceased. The idea of farm
Ing, therefore, systematically, should be
given up. The climate is fine one. July
August and a slice Of September, to a man
born north, are rather hot and facilitating
but the long, lovely autumns, how enjoyable
they are? and then the winters are SO mild
that they are without dreariness and tedi-
BUSINESS, and the spring again is mild, long
and favorable for any out of door operations
10 be done. 1t is, on account of its climate,
desirable region TO live in. Every body would
come here from the Indictment regions of the
north 10 live, If there was business.
But this, IL not farming is a fruit coun-
try. Turn II TO account, therefore, as such.
First seek ye the markets and the trans
portation TO them, and at cheap rates, then
cover this country with orchards, vineyards
and fruit gardens. A word To the Uise is
sufficient PonhGRANATE