The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1900-04-19
A MARYLAND PEACH FARM.
Profit Realized from the Fruit DUR
ing a Period of Fourteen
Years.

II may Dc lHIeIeSIlHS W run over a
short paper in the American Monthly
Review of Reviews in which Worth
B. Stottlemyer presents The Balance
Sheet of a Small Maryland Peach
Farm" Peach growing, he says, is
one of the most profitable agricultural
industries in that state, so much so
that half of the farms in many of the
counties have abandoned wheat and
corn and the ordinary agricultural
products, except for home consump-
ton, and have taken to growing
peaches.
The quality of the SOIL" he says,
"hardly enters into consideration in
respect to location, as peach trees are
adapted to almost any kind of soil,
but a poor soil is to be preferred.
Trees planted in a poor soil do not
grow so rapidly, are therefore much
more hardy and will endure severer
winters than trees planted in richer
soil. In order that surer crop may
| be expected, the land should slope
gently to the northwest. Land so sit
uated is exposed to the most rigorous
western winds, and the sun has less
effect upon the trees in the way of
driving forth the incipient buds,
which are thus kept in check. Con-
sequently they are less likely to be
frozen while in the incipient state by
lingering spring frosts."
Mr.. Stottlemyer says that many of
the prevalent diseases of the trees are
due to careless nurserymen. His farm
of 30 acres was purchased in 1885 for
$40 an acre, and was planted in peach
trees at once. The trees cost him $35
a thousand The total outlay, includ-
ing planting, machinery and incident
| ais. was 81, 469.S9.
For four years the orchard was cul-
tivated thoroughly. while only slight
crops were realized the third and
fourth years. he says, however,
from careful account made
during the time. we found that the
cost of cultivation was a little more
than covered by the receipts fromvege-
tables that were raised on the land in
the meantime. The fifth year we
realized a fairly good crop, and dur
ing IA years we secured six crops from
the orchard.
by careful records kept, we find
that the average amount of fruit
grown upon each tree for the six
crops was SO crates. or a little over
21% bushels. Thus, upon an average,
naah Of ha ,,ral1ool
els during its lifetime In fact, the
orchard produced 1864 bushels of
salable fruit. From the sale of these
44.364 bushels we realized a net gain,
over picking, Grating, shipping, com
mission, expenses. etc, of SAC. 361.O7.
The net profit per bushel would be
over a dollar"
Against the net returns from peach
sales of 46,361.07. Mr.. Stottlemyer put
in his balance sheet the cost of the
land, of the trees. of planting and
cultivation, fertilizers. machinery. in
cidentals, taxes and interest, which
makes a total of $7.399.69. This shows
the profits to be S3S.961.3S. The pre-
mature deaths of orchards from the
"yellows" Mr.. Stottlemyer says are
generally attributable to the negli-
gence of growers. Other growers
realized larger returns than those
from mis- orchard. he says. and he adds
that the end is not yet when one
candidiy reflects upon the remarkable
increase in the consumption of the
fruit. almost to be regarded as a
staple. and when ''we see peach trees
planted by the hundred acres, or
chards extending for miles. hundreds
of hands busy plucl<ing the luscious
fruit and Grating it for market, all
on a single farm, and whole train
loads hauled from a single district;
when growers order their own cars
for daily transportation; when a
peach-grower can send his wife to
bank with $500 in check returns for
a single day. who has netted $65 5000
from single crop"
The industry of which Mr.. Stottle-
myer draws so brilliant a picture he
says has only been possible since
transportation has been facilitated by
network of railroads.