Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-04-24
naiIp g'ennrbre goarnal.
AGRICULTURAL.

Plant an apple orchard this spring. We
want mere apple orchards IN all the older
states. The old trees once SO bountiiul,
are bearing less and dying every year.
On many farms no successors are provld-
ed for. We have occasionally surplus
of apples, as in 1874, when the orchard
does not pay much. But there is a COM
pensation to the fruit grower. even in
these years of exceptional abundance.
The cheapness of apples introduces them
into many families where they are used as
a luxury. They are so wholesome and
enjoyable that they become necessity,
and are more largely purchased in suose-
quent years. when they bring double
prices. In 1874 apples sold for 90 per
barrel In 1875 they were sold Tor 81
barrel. We know of case IN which
family laid in, in 1874. sixteen barrels III
1875, the price being so much higher, lhe
same sum being allowed for apples, the
supply was but six barrels. II apples
can be raised at dollar a barrel, and pay
expenses, the farmer who furnished this
family made So in his trade of 1874, and
AIS the past season. Thrifty families
soon become accustomed to epples, and
they take their place with flour, meat and
butter among the necessary family sup
plies, and the whole crop is taken, even
in abundant years, at prices that pay
something This is what the fruit grow
err wants. steady paying prices for ali that
he can raise every year. rather than eX-
travagant profits which will induce every
body 10 rush into his specially.
Apples are, on the whole as likely 10 be
profitable as any fruit a farmer can invest
in at the present time. with the prospect
of making money out of them Tor the next
thirty years. They keep better than al
most any ether fruit. and in all the north
ern half of the country they can be had. III
the fresh state, with very little difficulty,
every day in the year. Oar soil and eli
mate are admirably adapted to this fruit.
They are already profitable article OF ex-
port. and this business has as substantial
basis for increase as the export OF Ameri-
can cheese to European markets. The
idea that our climate has changed is a fic.
ton. Apples grow in our older states in
as great perfection as they ever did, if the
orchards are properly cared for. They
will not grow SO well on WORKOUT pas
lures as on virgin soil. Bnt we tind, to-
day, on soils that are fed and cultivated
apptc tiCSo 81 Ni5cAOao ssiN ii"'tiU'' sH'N
nothing more can be asked. Nor do we
take any stock in the idea that the old va
rieties are running out. The Roxbury
Russell has been in the country from very
near its first settlement. and in the East
the trees are as vigorous and hardy and the
fruit as perfect as they ever were. AS a
long keeping standard variety, there is no
better selection for this region. Plant
only standard varieties that are known to
do well in your neighborhood, and let the
varieties be few and nine-tenths of them
the long keepers. Late winter apples can
be sold eight months in the year. They
almost always bring extra prices in the
spring. We know Of farmers who have
never lost faith in this crop, and are reap
ing golden harvests from orchards planted
twenty years ago First plant an orchard !;
second, take care of it Cor. Anertcan
Aqyiculturist.