New-York tribune., 1901-12-08
CHRISTMAS TREES RIPE.
THE HARVEST OF FIRS GOING RAPIDLY
FORWARD IN MAINE HOW
A GREAT INDUSTRY
STARTED

RanSor Ne Dec Z (SpeciaD The. Christmas tree
Industry has got early stars in Maine tnis
gear. Already carloads, and even vessel loeds are
syoing forward the large cities. and good money
is coming back 10 the pocketbooks and
gladden. the hearts of the farmers who own ir
growths providing the farmers sons and daugh-
with a nerrier Christmas than they other-
wise would have
Only a few years ago the fir tree was looked upon
as rather nuisance this State. because it grew
rank burdocks. crowdlng out better growths, and
OF earthly use, save as 1t might De conslo-
cred as an ornament to the landscape. Now the
fir no LONGER despased is source of considerable
hundreds of Maine's rural people, and to
the transportation companies as well for its grace
full proportions and balsamic odor have become
known the dwellers in cities, and it is regarded
as the ideal whereon TO light the candles and
display the gifts of holiday time.
The beginning Of the popularity of the fir was in
IsSz, when a party of hunters who had been IN a
steam yacht TO Newfoundland to shoot caribou
called at SargentviIle. Fenobscot Bay, for the
purpose of visiting some abandoned copper mines
inland. The owner of the steam yacht was struck
with a practical idea. He decided that these frs
would make ideal Christmas trees-much better
than the scrubby and unsymmetrical pines and
spruces then in use. and he hired men and
horses and caused be cut about six hundred of
the frs which he carried the deck OF his yacht
Boston. where they offered for sale.
The demand for the frs exceeded the yachts
snan's expectations. for the whole lot
snapped UP In short order, and the people clam
Tred Tor more. So profitable this first venture
that in the following Christmas season fully fifty
thousand frs sent from the shores of Penob-
Bay TO Boston, where they were all sold at
good prices and IN the next year the trade was
tended to New-York. where also the frs were
eagerly taken. In 1895 the shipments of fir trees
from Maine 10 the large cities had increased 10
about seven hundred and fifty thousand, and last
year fully million and half were sold
In some sections. where the fir is especially pro-
life. the cutting and preparing for market OF
Christmas trees is made the occasion of festive
gatherings, corresponding TO the huskings in the
fsr whole families going into the woods and taking
their dinners along. a cuts the trees close TO
the roots and hoy strong girl clips away
Women and boys Tie the trees into bundles Of a
dozen each, binding them with strong cords, and
then the harvest is piled into hayracks and car
ried 20 the nearest railroad station. The smaller
children gather the trailing creepers of the ground
pine pluck punches of glossy wfntergreen and
gather the red fruit of the wild raisin shrub. all
of which packed in boxes and sent away the
cities for the making of Wreatns and garlands for
the decoration of church and home.
b The evergreen haryestS are usually purchased by
men who make q business in winter Of supplying
the holiday green markets Of the large cities, al
though many farmers send their crops TO
l1et on their own account. For trees from five to
six feet tall the buyers IN Maine pay five cents
each. and for trees from six to ten feet tall the
price is from 10 cents 15 cents according SYM
meiry. The five cent tree sells in the city market
for 25 cents. while the Is cent tree often brings
81 more The total revenue Maine people this
year from the Christmas greens will probably
ceed sl25,oo0