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

ing specimens of the Anjou then were
readily disposed of in eastern cities at $50
barrel During the past abundant pear
season thousands of bushels were allowed
to decay for want of ready n arket, and in
the preceding year still greater amount
was allowed to waste with portion of the
enormous crop of apples. Evaporated
fruit for a time brought satisfactory
prices, but these prices have been much
reduced. Apples were more extensively
planted long years ago, and, and as mat
ter of course, prices continue nearly the
same.
All these facts bring shade of discour-
agement over the minds of those who are
engaged in the business, or who are about
to enter it. There are ample reasons,
however, why this discouragemen should
not be felt. Most of the changes which
have taken place in prices are the single
result of natural causes. We can well re-
member when, of the great multitude of
the people at large, not one in a hundred
ever tasted some of our finest fruits,
much less had regular supply of them.
| The few who first raised them, therefore,
found a strong demand when they were
placed before the public demand
then greatly exceeding the supply = and
they went, at high prices, into the hands
of wealthy purchasers. Men of moder
ate means had to go without. These
high prices stimulated overproduction in
quantity at the expense of quality. There
was much needless planting without
adapting the supply to the probable de-
mand. Hence the surplus in some direc
tions, while want still remained in 9th
ers.
Insects and diseases discouraged many
planters, and encouragement is always
a fruitful source of careless treatment
and interior quality. Another drawback
was want of careful asserting in pack
ing for market, and still another was
deficiency in system in shipping. That
all these difficulties and draw backs may
be substantially overcome is shown IN the
fact that there is now, during the present
year, more money received for fruit than
at any previous period.
The fruit sales during the past year, in
some of the western counties of the State
amounted to more than half a million
dollars, and in one county to almost a
million. This was owing to the great in
crease in quantity. The reduced prices
placed the supplies in the hands of
vastly augmented number of purchasers.
The costly dainties of the few in former
years became the accessible dainties of
the multitude.
What we now want is more generous
treatment in raising fruit generally and
more skill with insects and diseases. The
erroneous notion must be dissipated that
fruit trees will take care of themselves,
and that strawberries and raspberries are
cheapened when neglected. Instances
could be named where skillful cultivators
! 1 L l. - l.
reducing the plantations to an extent in
which the very best treatment could be
given in thorough drainage, deep tillage,
! high fertilizing, and careful selection.
The man who raises larger, handsomer
and better fruit than any one else can
obtain access to ready markets with
high prices when common fruit in excess
can not be sold.
With all the fruits that are now raised
annually, the great majority of the peo-
pie at large are poorly supplied. Prices,
if in some instances still lower, with
| facilities for d UNIVERSAL supply, may
| give demand SO greatly increased, as
may result in making fruit raising more
| general and fairly remunerative business
And yet there will be a few who will raise
fruit so much finer add better than the
average as to always lead in the market.
Men will never give up eating fruit,
and whatever may be the future in rails
ing it for market, the planting and Guilt
walton for home use should never be omit
ted. Every owner of land, large or small,
should have a general assortment, ample
enough and sufficiently well selected to
give a daily supply on his table the year
through, beginning with Strawberries in
June, and with the aid of strawberries,
raspberries, currants, peaches grapes,
pears and bookkeeping apples, to extend
the supply into the following June. The
selection must of course be adapted to the
climate where he lives. He should in
form himself sufficiently as to varieties,
to make a good selection and to give
good care; and yearly addition of few
trees to keep up the supply. He runs no
risk in thus supplying his family market
for he has no charges to pay for packing,
shipping, express charges and commission
and no risk from the fruit rotting on the
way or for failure from an overstocked
market. To give every land owner in the
country such home orchard and garden
would more than exhaust every nursery in
existence.