Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1876-05-15
2fericirltlrral Department
PLANT AN APPLE ORCHARD
THIS SPRING.

We want more apple orchards in all
the older states. The old trees, once so
bOuntiful, are bearing less and dying
every year. On many farms no success
sOrs are provided for. We have Occas-
ionally surplus of apples, as in 1874,
when the orchard does not pay much.
But there is a compensation to the fruit
grower, even in these years of exception
al abundance. The cheapness of apples
introduces them into many families
where they are generally used as lux
ury. They are so wholesome and enjoy
able that they become necessity, and
arc more largely purchased ia subsequent
years, when they bring double prices
In 1874 apples sold for S 80 per barrel.
In 1875 they sold for 81 barrel. We
know of a case in which family laid
in, in 1874, sixteen barrels in 1875,
the price being so much higher, the same
sum being allowed for apples, the sup
ply was but six barrels. If apples can
be raised at a dollar barrel and pay
expenses, the farmer who furnished this
family made IS in his trade of 1874,
and 81 the past season. Thrifty fami-
lies soon become 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 extravagant profits, which
= will induce everybody to rush into his
speciality. Apples are, on the whole, as
likely to be profitable as any fruit far
mer can invest in at the present time
with the prospect of making money out
of them for the next thirty years. They
keep better than almost any other fruit
and in all the northern half of the coun
try they can be had, in the fresh state
with very little difficulty, every day il
: the year. Our soil and climate are ad
. mirably adapted to this fruit. 1t grow
in the greatest beauty and perfection
and American apples command very hig
= prices in the English markets. The
: are already profitable article of expor
and this business has as substantial
= basis for increase as the exports
!. American cheese to European market
The idea that our climate has change
is fiction.
49, Apples grow in our older states in
= great perfection as they ever did, if Il
N orchards are properly cared for. TIT
:. will not grow so we'll on worn-out pa
lures as on virgin soil. But we fin
to-day, on soils that are fed and cul
la waited, apple trees so vigorous and fru
~ full that nothing more can be askt
:. Nor do we take any stock in the i'd
-. that the old varieties are running o,
-. The ROxbury Russell has been in
-. country from very near its first sett
ment. and in the East the trees are
l. vigorous and hardy and the fruit as p
81 feet as they ever were. AS long
80 ing, standard variety, there is no bet
-, selection for this region. Plant an
Sc chard this spring. Plant only stands
- varieties that are known to do well
ooa your neighborhood, and let the varie
"A. be few and nine-tenths of them the /
- keepers. Late winter apples can
mac sold eight months in the year. T
orld almost always bring extra prices in
, - spring. We know of farmers who
,;co never lost faith in this crop, and
voto reaping golden harvests from orchi
rroo planted twenty years ago. First, p
- &c an orchard second, take care of
onJ Cor. american AgYicatlturISt.