Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-06-20
agricultural.
Plant an 4pPIe Orchard this
.r. Spring.

We want more apple orchards in all
the older States. The old trees, once 50
beautiful, are bearing less and dying
every year. On many farms no success
or> are provided for. We have occasion
ally a surplus of apples, as in Isl !, when
the orchard does not pay much. But
there Is compensation 70 the fruit grow
er. even in these years Of exceptional
abundance The cheapncSs Of apples IN
troduees them into many families where
they are generally used As luxury. They
are so wholesome and enjoyable that they
become a necessity, and are more largely
purchased in subsequent years, when they
bring double prices. In 1874, apples
sold for $3.50 per barrel. la $50, they
sold for 81 barrel We know OF a
case in which family laid in, IN 1874,
sixteen barrels; in lS15, the price beih !;
80 much higher, the same sum being al
lowed for apples. the supply was but six
barrels. Ii apples can be raised at a
dollar 4 barrel and pay expenses, the
farmer who furnished this family made
s. in his trade of 1874, and SIS the
past season. Thrifty families soon be-
come accustomed TO apples, and they take
their place with -four, meat and butter,
among the necessary family supplies, and
the whole crop Is taken, even in abundant,
years, at prices that pay something. This
Is what the fruit grower wants, steady
paying prices for all that he can raise
every year, rather than eXtrayagant pro-
hts, which will induce everybody to rush
into MS speciality. Apples are, on the
whole, as likely to be profitable as any
fruit farmer can invest IN at the pres
ent time, with the prospect Of making
money out Of them for the next thirty
years. They keep better than almost any
uther fruit, and in all the northern half
Of the country they can be mad, in the
fresh state, with very little difficulty,
every day in the year. Our soil and
climate are admirably adapted to this
fruit. II grows in the greatest beauty
and perfection, and American apples COM
mand very high prices in the English
markets. They arc already profitable
article Of export, and this business has ~
substantial basis Tor increase aS the eN-
port Of American cheese to European
markets. The idea that our climate has
changed Is a fiction. Apples grow in oW
older States in as great perfection is they
ever did, If the orchards are properly
cared for. They will not grow 50 web
on WORKOUT pastures as on virgin soil
But We find, to-day, on soils that arc fed
and cultivated, apple trees 50 vigorous
and fruitful that nothing more can be
asked. Nor do we take any stock in the
idea tina, the old varieties are running
out. The Roxbury Russell has been 10
the country from very near It's first set
Element, aud in the East the trees are as
vigorous and hardy and the fruit as per-
feet as they ever were. As long-keep-
iug standard variety, there Is no better
selection Sor this region. Plant amor.
chard this Spring Plant only standard
varieties that are known to do well in
your heighborhood, and let the varieties
be few, and nine-tenths Of them the long
keepers. Late Winter apples can be sod
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 resping golden
harvests from orchards planted twenty
years ago. First, plant an orchard;
second, take care Of it.-Cer. American
Agrieulturist.