Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-08-23

In an article from the pen Of its editor,
Or. +. Nj. liexamcr, the American Agri-
culturst for August says, that fruit
growing j. without doubt one of the
most profitable occupations of the farm
Vet the majority of farmers who engage
In it are probably disappointed because
tteir expectations have been placed 20
high that the result must necessarily fall
below their hopes Estimates for future
profits are often based upon prices re-
cciyed in the home market for fruits
brought froma distance. Especially is this
true regarding small fruits. The grower
naturally reasons that his home grown
fruit will 90 into the market in 30 much
batjer condition than that which is
shipped from distance that it Will
bring quite as good II price, even il
somewhat later in season. But by the
time his plants are grown and the fruit
l. ready fer market the conditions may
have changed. SoAic other grower, not
80 very far away, may have found the
excellent opening offered by the same
market. and is there as competitor
Ills uejshhors have been inspired by the
same idea at about the same time. aud
are hardly "A season behind him with
ttt'''i IiNi.utl-- WI lll~ III - titDN. CIV
my to imperfect methods of cultivation
aud handling, knowledge of which can
only be- obtained by experience, have
:ailed To come up TO the high standard
oG his hopes. These drawbacks may
lead him to the conclusion, if he is a
man easily discouraged, that frut-grow-
ing is not profitable. Yet, with all these
acknowledgements, it is strongly probable
that his trial acre of Strawberries, or
curraats. or blackberries has paid bet
ter net profit than any possible
acre of wheat, or corn, or meadow.
IL the acre of fruit has not
made u fortune, it has at least indi-
Gated the road to better income. II
the crop was rawberries, the experience
gained will enable one to duplicate it to
better advantage, with a better knowl
'dgc of the most desirable varieties for
his locality. Then another acre may he
put IN raspherrics aud hlackberries,
which will follow The strawberries in
the season of harvesting and marketing
0ne each may be put in currants and
gposehcrrics, which among small fruits
0eSt bear shipping, aud will enable the
cultivatur 10 est the value of other mar
ISrts after the home trade has been sup
piled. Plums. cherries. peaches, etc.
will follow in their natural order, until
the fruit farm. large or small. becomes
an accomplished fact, and then, if it is
managed rs systematic business, il viii
be strange indeed if it does not yield
handsome return for the capital and labor
invested.
Fruit il every year becoming more
plentiful in our markets, and the iu-
creased consumption keeps pace with the
supply. fthis condition forbids great
profits to the individual specialist in fruit
culture. it improves the chances for the
many aud il for the best interest of ag-
riculture at large. IL is better that many
should be able To acquire competence
than that one should make fortune. and
it is one OF the benign influences of our
progressive agriculture that we can put
within the reach Of all classes the most
wholesome OF foods Fruits which were
once known only rs delicaeies by the
masses are nov upon their tables daily
in their respective seasons.
As our popuiltaon increases, farmers
all through the great eastern and midi e
sections of the country cultivate mainly
the smaller and more delicate products
of the soil. The orchard, the garden,
and the dairy will take the place Of grain
fields: aGd the farmer who plans to fol-
low this liHe, content with moderate re-
turns, will not be the Que to exelaim
that fruit growing Is Improbable.