The Green Forest tribune., 1903-03-14


 sprayed. The year this was done l think three fourths of the apples fell off before gathering time, but for the past five years they have been full of fine fruit, hanging on the trees until pulled and have never varied but few barrels in their yield.
 believe, barring very extreme weather, there is no reason why we should not have annual crops of apples. A man to succeed in most any line must love his work. can't see how any one can help loving our profession-horticul- ture. It.is a noble calling, it is elevating, refining and brings a man who is in his orchard in nearer relation to Him who made all things. A man who loves his profession will read horticul- tural papers, study the bulletins, attend horticultural meetings, visit the most successful orchard men and see how they manage their orchards. I believe an up- to-date apple grower can, in a measure, master all pests, save wet weather and wind at bloom ing time. If we spray so as to produce strong, vigorous, healthy foliage we shall get the develop- ment of fruit buds that will stand where weaker buds are lost. I find a great difference in apples of same varieties grown on neg lected and cared for trees. A we'll developed apple of the much abused Ben Davis variety from a strong, healthy, vigorous tree is fine, and I will stand by this statement a while.
 Young men, I know of no field that affords more and better op- portunities than that of growing new and better types of apples, for believe it possible for us to grow better fruit than we have today. We cannot grow too many apples for at least generation to come. We may make them cheaper, which would be a bless ing to our felloWman.
 The apple is king of all fruit and is destined in all future time as in the past to lead in variety, in value, in quantity, when com pared with any fruit industry in the world. Itis abundant, cheap, it's qualities enduring, and last, but not least, the multiform uses in which it can be utilized. The practical horticulturist has the sunshine of his profession in his soul. It is a study through life, delving deeper and expanding more year by year. Who can approach an orchard in spring time, the trees in full bloom, smell the sweet odor and hear the hum of bees and song of the birds; look on these and you will feel another higher world. What perfection Heaven has put in fruit! What a marvel of beauty is a tree we'll filled with ripe ap- ples! A well formed apple must please the eye of Great Jehovah, let alone man. That coloring with it's graceful curves, the colors of all the Indias cannot compare.
 Apples, if used properly, will in my mind, induce health and pro- long life. We are told that the Scandinavians, when they be- come old and infirm, use apples as a medicine to relieve pain and prolong life. We are also told that U. s. Senator Francis Marion Cockrell, of Missouri, is able to accomplish more work than any man in the senate, and this IS ac- counted for by the use of apples as diet and for many years he has lunched on apples alone.
 Now, gentlemen, believe it an admitted fact that all valuable things require effort and labor to produce or obtain them and grow ing good fruit is no exception to the rule. The longer 1 live the more I become convinced that the principal difference between men is energy and determination. A purpose once fixed, then Death or Success. These qualities in man will do anything in this world