Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-08-05

value of wheat alone that has caused this
unfavorable estimate of the value of
fruit lands, but we think that the use of
fruit, both ripe and unripe, has had some
thing to do with this prejudice. Very
early in the history of the world we learn
that great amount of trouble was caus-
ed by the use of fruit, and as the curculio
and other insects injurious to fruit trees
were unknown until after that occurrence
in the Garden of Eden, it is probable
that this innumerable variety of insects
was sent as part punishment for eating
fruit on this occasion.
From that time until the time when the
old man found the rude boy in one of his
trees stealing apples, a great many pains
and aches have been caused by eating
fruit. This, together with the fact that
the old man of the spelling book, as well
as many younger men, have since let their
yassions rise very often, not only at the
rude boy, but at the insects that infest
their trees, has had something to do with
creating this unfavorable feeling toward
fruit raising.
Notwithstanding this real or imaginary
prejudice in favor of wheat raising as a
pursuit, census returns and other Stats
tics demonstrate the truth of the asser
ton that the net profit of the raising of
fruit and vegetables on the one hand as
against wheat-raising on the other, is
largely in favor Of the former. The cen
sus of 1880 shows that the average pro
duct of wheat per acre of the wheat
growing counties of this state was twelve
bushels, and that the value per acre of the
produce of the cultivated farms of these
counties was $40, while these figures are
very much larger in both cases in the
fruit-grOwing counties. Not only are
these statements demonstrated by the CEN
sus, but the fact is also shown that the
net profit on fruits and vegetables is much
greater than that on wheat. We often
hear the statement made that farmers
cannot make anything raising fruit and
vegetables, particularly the more common
vegetables. While this is partially true,
we would ask the question how much does
a farmer make in raising wheat at 80
cents per bushel? Every one knows that
wheat cannot be raised at this price if the
use of the land and his own labor are
taken into the account.
We also know that the soil of the farm
is being impoverished, and there is really
no return, and that wheat cultivation is
very much more in furious to the soil than
the raising of vegetables. The time is
not very far distant when wheat lands will
cease to be such, as is the case of the
lands in the Genesee Valley, N. Y. The
fruit and vegetable grower has still
another advantage, and it is this, that he
has various products to rely upon while
the wheat grower has but the one, and if
that fails all is gone for that year.
Thus, while the cost Of the production
Of x1hoo &c Nv o. ba
gradual exhaustion of the soil, that of
fruit and vegetables is diminishing as
producers learn ned modes of cultivation,
and the cost of the marketing is lessened.
There is no danger of an over production
of fruits, and the demand is fully keep
ing pace with the supply. People gener-
ally are using a much larger amount of
fruit and vegetables than formerly, as
they become more easily accessible while
in good condition. They have learned
that these articles of food are more
wholesome than apothecary medicine, and
that their increased use has almost made
fever and ague thing of the past in this
portion of the State People have learned
to prefer fresh strawberries to doses of
quinine, and to know that fruit in great
degree will do away with the need of
medicine.
When people fully learn that these
sandy lands are really valuable; that the
future of this part of the State does not
depend upon the cultivation of wheat; and
that there is more money for men of
moderate means in fruit growing and in
the raising of vegetables than in wheat
growing, or even working in saw-mills,
the day Of prosperity of our lake shore
| cities and villages will be fully realized.