The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-02-12
MEANDElsINGS.
CIEVEIANn Eah


Having just paid one dollar per
bushel for some fine apples raised in
Portage County, | am reminded that
the great growth of Cleveland rs a
consuming market for fruit has not
been kept apace with by the adjacent
country supply. This is especially true
of apples, peaches and pears. Proba-
bly, fruit raising has its failures and
disadvantages. Yet the skillful and
persistent horticultural of Portage
county can probably realize high prices
for n select Uiues ami quality OF fruit
for many years To come, and the lover
Of fruit culture. with Intelligent and
well directed efforts. notwithstanding
all drawbacks, ought to be able To Sc
cure on All average from year to year a
liberal reward for his outlay of money
and labor. Much depends upon pro-
,iucing and selecting the best fruit.
bringing il forward at. the right time
aid III the best form, and reaching
the most appreciative consumers in
the best manner. OF these and other
details the Portage county producer
may easily become master, so as 10
secure much better profits than those
usually known to the average farmer
of the past or present. 1t Is beyond
doubt that the best fruit, we'll selected
and handled, and skillfully marketed,
will pay largely In the future, and this
subject is worthy of the most studious
attention of Portage county farmers,
whose lands are today of more intriH
sic value than they realize or know Of.
Probably similar statements could
he made in relation 10 small fruits.
The Portage County horticultural
Society has undoubtedly done much
Iruit raising ought Io be much more
general than ii is, aud especially
among the young people, who are full
of strength aud Intelligence for 50
pleasing a task. The truth il that this
section Of country is but half developed
Horticulture is still In its infancy, and
the full capacity OF our soils under
improved treatment is yet unknown.
come, and that perhaps ere long, when
the annual cash productive output Il
our lands will be quadruple the present
general average. To-Day one man may
another does from forty. Here is fooC
for thought and study aud experiment
! would rather seek fortune in tn,
agricultural domain of the Western
Reserve, all things considered, thar
; in any of the alluring fields of tn,
West. The Horticultural Society rs
: means of education aud development
is very important factor, and shoul,
r be encouraged, enlarged and cordial,
1 sustained. Frank Ford, and Dean
: and others are good missionaries il
their lines, aud the results of the stu
5 dious observation of fruit men shoul
:. be appreciated aud made available b.
F.; those who have the soils aud ll
:. means to produce the best results.
Instead of wearing out the farm an
: seeking other fields, the best farm Gu
i tlre and development of thought, lol
t of home should be fostered, and th
e farmer should act rs though he ha
come to stay. That dear old place, til
It farm home, should be loved and che
st ished as we cherish the memory of
It loved parent. Joy and happine
y should abide there, culture and ini. Il
e >gence should abound, aud Ia this oil
x old and young should unite their mo
a cordial efiortr. Let No endeavor
spared 10 make the farm home alil
t. attractive TO old and young. Let it
'r always u centre of happiness. m
re farm home life Is the best life. Eve
today the gentle and sweet but powe
lie full Influences of the farm home are Il
Id strongest safeguard known 10 the Sta
a. over all those sacred institutions up,
v, which the safety of our people depen
ed Let no farmer, and no farmers wi
a or son, or daughter underestimate Il
~ independence, the happiness OF Il
Oh dig nifty Of their positions in lsfe,
capably and nobly filed.
MEANDERER,