The Green Forest tribune., 1902-10-04
HIGHLY FAVORED SECTION.
Opportunities in Fruit Raising
 Tempt Men of All AvocatIons.

G. A. Gamble, editor of the Arkansas Fruit Grower of Ft. Smith, was a visitor in Green Forest on Friday of last week. Mr. Gamble is one of the best known promoters of fruit raising in the state, and is perhaps as much responsible for the rapid strides made in the fruit industry in Northwest Arkansas in the past few years as any other man. He has been an enthusiast upon the subject for years, and is now very much gratified at the de- velopments that are in progress. Knowing that Mr. Gamble is always thoroughly informed on fruit subjects, we ask him tc say something upon this line for the benefit of four readers. Respond ing to the request he stated |:
 "Last year furnishes one of the strongest object lessons ever presented to the farmer and fruit raiser. The unprecedented drought in North Arkansas and South Missouri practically ruined all farm crops except orchard pro- ducts. Thousands of farmers who were entirely dependent on grain crops were rendered desti- ute and forced to resort to day labor in order to support their families. Those who had or chards were able to meet their obligations and had larger bank accounts at the end of the year than usual. Now, the man with out an orchard can look back over the past and see where he slighted many opportunities.
 Ut Is not question of ability but matter of choice; any man who has a farm can and will have an orchard if he desires one strong enough to prompt him to reasonable eXertion.
 "There are few sections of the United States so highly favored for growing fruit, especially the big red apple as North Ark ansas. The opportunities are so tempting, yea, l will say so alluring, that business men and professional men of all classes are neglecting their chosen oc- equations and are putting out large commercial orchards. l don t need to mention the names of your doctors, merchants and lawyers in order to sustain this assertion, and if you don't know that there are numerous business and professional men in North Arkansas who realized more from the products of their orchards last year than they did from their profession it is because you have not made proper investigation.
 ..In connection with this, l wish to say that the brainy edi- tors, who have necessarily urg- ed that the people should turn their attentions to raising fruit, are 'practicing what they preach by putting out large orchards. Some of the best writers have thrown down the quill, hung up ] the scissors and have set to work to train up the trees in the way they should grow and predict that they will not only find health and enjoyment but will fiud it more profitable than wait l ing for the delinquent subscriber to come in and settle up his sub- scription of long, standing.
 "Look at the contrast ln the value of farm lands! A few days ago a man stated to me that he and friend secured farms adjoining. His friend set out a large vineyard and orchard. He said he neglected to put out an orchard. Today one of the l farms is valued at 5000 and the other could not be bought for S25. .OGO. You can buy farms without orchards for a mere trltle, compared with those which have orchards. In fact, if a farm without an orchard sells, it is generally considered to be at a sacrifice price, and in some cases, 1 eon lace than the cost of improve