The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-01-30
The Evolution of a
Fruit Region. " "
Paper read at the re-
cent Farmers Institute
by Guy L. Stewart, Esq,
of the b. 6 Q. Indus
trial Department. Xxx

plll never as continuous thing. The
enormous crop of apples in '96 shows
the one year. Since then there have
been such good prices in general
as to make up for that year Then
too, the ventures in the past two
years, which have been made by the
United States Department of
Agriculture, in sending fruit from the
mountain regions to the foreign mar
kets to see if any impression could be
made, and an avenue of trade opened
for any surplus we might have. Last
year peaches were shipped from the
orchards of the Allegany Orchard
Company to London; six basket car
riers were used and $3.50 net was re-
allied above packing, storage and
freight. On Ben Davis and New York
lmperials. $3.50 per barrel, net, was
realized. Of course, this was on lin
tied quantities, but from all indica-
tions foreign markets would take all
we could spare. Right here it may
be added that extreme care in hand
ling and sorting must be exercised.
But the fact is, we can do it and so
there need be no fear of failure of
market for the surplus of 10000, 900
barrels used at home.
Now let me take up some points to
be considered by the fruit grower. In
the evolution of a fruit region these
things have been learned by exper-
ience:-
First:-Location and climate
In location of orchards may be con-
Standardization as to markets which
OF course, must be determined by the
owner of the place. If one were about
to buy place for the location of an
orchard he could find no more suitable
place than many spots in Garrett,
Allegany or Washington counties and
the nearby counties of West Virginia.
He must also think of location with
regard to frost lines. am impressed
with the thoughtlessness shown in
many places by persons setting orch
ards in very low and unprotected
places. Frosts are very local in their
action, but all agree that above a GER
tain point on hillsides the frosts do
not seem to reach so much. Then
too, the matter of air and water drain
age should be considered. The water
drainage can be accomplished by ar
tificial means, but the air drainage is
a problem whose Importance is just
becoming known. Cold air being
much heavier than warm air, is bound
to settle in low places; hence the low
places should be avoided. But on a
hill slope, Southeastern or North
western to retard) the air and water
drainage can be.
In many places as in France and
even in the United States where in
tensive farming is followed wind
breaks are used or fires kept burning
in the orchard over night to prevent
freezing. In mountainous section
a natural protection can generally be
had. But of all things avoid pockets"
and try to protect from prevailing
winds.
SOiJS.-Y ears ago an orchard would
be set on land too rocky or poor for
any other use. This was mistake.
The richest soil is a loan. This con-
tains much humus aud needs but
little manure. But they are so rich
that the new growth is long and soft
and apt to be frozen. Sandy soils
are not good especially for apple or
tree fruits as they have but little
nourishment. Clay soil gives a good
sturdy stocky growth, not so long as
loan but better able to resist frosts.
A clay loan gives an ideal soil. Iron
in the soil aids generally in color. By
this l do not mean to locate in an iron
mine, but the red clays of Swanton
and Hoop Pole regions in Garrett
county have color due to iron. In
Washington county the Hancock re-
gion and nearly every county in Mary
land or West Virginia has some spe-
cially good places. That soil will give
good color to apples and peaches.
While on the subject of color /
might mention other factors which
aid in lending color, and as this is one
of the things which sell the fruit it
should be considered. The fruits in
low depressed pockets lack color as
do those grown on trees not pruned.
These have such thick bushy top
that the sun cannot get in to act on
the fruit. The factors then for good
color would be, sunlight, good soil,
elevation.
TSIIGge.-Many and in fact most of
the orchards in this county are I'M
titled. They are indeed left in a thick
sod and it stands to reason that this
grass must have nourishment. Now
that much it takes from the surface
and of course the tree does not get it.
1t is safe statement that if anything