The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1883-02-15

6. Are the people generally turn
ing their attention to the cultiya-
ton of fruits, or to such an extent
as to affect the markets materially.
Any suggestions, or further infor-
nation you may give will be appre-
ciated by Yours Respectfully,
REPLY.
/. No state in the Union possesses
the same advantages as Arkansas
for profitable fruit culture, and l
am certain that in no state is it so
much neglected. Our soil and eli
mate are all that can be desired, pro
ducing In the greatest abundance,
and perfection all Of the fruits known
to temperate climate, growing full
crops of apples, peaches, grapes, etc,
five years out of six and total fall
ure has not occurred in the ten years
| have been a resident of the state.
2. | would advise all new corners
to keep off the bottom lands. Our
high lands are especially adapted TO
the cultivation of all varieties, and
are exceptionally healthy, no fears
need be felt on tina. account. APP
Piles particularly do not believe
can be profitably grown on the low
lands, while upon the hills they are
unequaled in size, beauty, quality,
and productiveness, and command
the highest prices in New York and
eastern markets, where many thous
and barrels were shipped the past
season.
3. Fruits of all kinds adapted to
the climate pays. can't now recall
any that don't pay, and enormously.
Our trees bear early and young
Peaches bear in this state with fair
cultivation in two years from plant
ing, and brought readily $3.50 to w
per box / bu. or $3.50 to $500 per
bu. in ST. Louis. Strawberries have
for the past eight or ten years,
brought from four to fourteen dol
lars per crate Of "a quarts each, de-
pending upon time, quality, and con
dition. 1t is safe to say that with
average cultivation they have aver
aged $500 per acre for the past ten
years, and in many instances more
than twice that amount. Grapes
bring from 10 TO 15 cents per h., for
Concords and Is TO 90 for Delaware,
and equal prices for other good sorts.
Space will not permit me to 60 fur
ther.
4. Our shipping facilities are good,
heretofore via l. M. r. r. from Lit
tie Rock. Freight from that point
by express 81 per 100 lbs. Leaving
Little Rock at 2:30 p. ~, is in St.
Louis next morning. The Fort
Smith Il. r. gives low rates to Ar
genta by express and careful hand
ling.
We have no fruit train as yet. The
/. NJ. Il. r. built number Of refrig-
Grating cars three years ago, and will
put them on as soon as the people
will load them, and make further re-
duction of freight.
5. The prices, variable, depending
upon location, quality, and improve
ment. Good unimproved lands with
in reasonable distance of r. r. sta
tions can be had at from $3.50 to 50
per acre. Improved farms from 50
to $40. Government lands that are
near railroads are generally not good
for the purpose, the best having
been taken up.
! 6. The older residents, those to the
manor born, are giving but little at
tenJion to frui. and probably never
will. They are too firmly joined to
their idol-cotton. About all the or
charding that is done Is by those
who have come from other states, and
there is no probability that we shall
ever, at least in this genera
ton, "glut the market. We have
three weeks advantage over south
ern Illinois, and one month over St.
Louis in time of ripening, and are
enabled by our shipping facilities
to market our entire crop Of early
fruits without competition. And
when we consider thatin the upper
basin Of the Mississippi Valley there
are fifteen million Of people who
look to the south for their early
fruits, we can readily believe we are
not likely to "glut the market"
Nor are we confined to the north
ern markets. We have good mar
ket in the gulf states for all Of our
late fruits at good prices, which can
be shipped in midsummer, and !
venture the prediction, that, in less
than five years Arkansas will export
apples to Europe via. New Orleans
and Galveston. and that they will
command higher prices than those
grown anywhere north.
This article has grown to such
length that | will not attempt e
give any further information or Of.
fer any suggestions.
j. +. BABcocK.
Russellville, Ark.
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