The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1895-01-04
A NeW Industry for Bry Regions,

A New Industry for Bry Regions,
Orchards and Nurseries.
Is growing the finer plums, prunes
and tart cherries. The secretary Of the
Stark nurseries lately returned from a
western trip, and in speaking of their
Denver orchards, grown on the'plains
without irrigation water, simply by in
tense cultivation, the wonderful crops
of plums and prunes and hardy tart
cherries grown there, he said: "After
close observation and some years. ex-
perience, am convinced that there is
a great future for western Kansas,
southwest Nebraska, and the Cherokee
Strip, as we'll as Colorado, New Mexico
and further west, in growing plums,
prunes and cherries; of the latter such
varities as Mont Ord, Suda Hardy, Ger
man, Ostheimer, ETC., and the Lombard
plum, the Cages, prunes, etc. Some of
the advantages are, with a favorable
climate, suitable soil, 1900 miles
nearer the market than the Pacific
coast, cheap land, cheap rates, cheap
labor and the greatest advantage of all
in shipping green fruit, it may be
allowed to come to maturity instead OF
picked green as they must do on the
coast; this fruit will therefore sell for
higher prices on the Chicago markets,
just as Colorado peaches for the same
reason sell one-third higher on the
Denver markets than California stock.
"The plum, prune and cherry need
little water comparatively; it is too
much rain, causing rot, as we'll as cur
culio, etc., that makes growing these
finer sorts hazardous and uncertain In
the east. The country named belongs
to the arid and semi-arid region, but
sufficient rain falls for fruit crops and
the thing to do is to plant on COM
merciaI scale and cultivate as the Stark
Denver orchards are cultivated. Sue
cess will follow. Halfway work and
neglect will not bring success there nor
elsewhere. What has been done on
the Colorado plains can be done in
western Kansas.
'The apple may also be grown in the
same belt if enough work is done, but
not so successfully, for more water is
required than for stone fruits, which
come to perfection in dry seasons.
This year Lombard and other fine
plums and prunes throughout Nebras-
ka and Kansas, in the rainbelt, ma
tured, and many choice specimens were
sent to us to be named. Had there
been the usual summer rains much Of
the fruit would have rOtted.
struggling farmers of western Kan
sas. trying to grow corn but burnt out
with the usual annual droutb, should
know and realize the possibilities IN
the culture of these fruits. If they get
a crop Of corn it may net them so per
acre; the right sorts of cherries and
plums viii net them several hundred
dollars per acre, and a 1O-acre orchard
more than a quarter section devoted to
general farming. Think Of it; try it.
But start right, cultivate right aud be
sure to plant the best sorts. The ma
jority Of failures are from planting
wrong sorts, mistake to be avoided.
Mind you, the annual drouth that
burns out corn is just the weather
needed for maturing these crops. See
ing is believing; if you want to see
more-something on a large scale-go
a little farther vest to the Stark Bros
Denver orchards, which can scarcely
be equaIIed in California or eIsew-
where"