The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1904-06-17
FRUIT TREES ON ROADSIDE.
Why II Will BE a Good Many Years
Before They Can Be Planted
in Large Numbers.

II IS reported that IN some parts OF
Europe the municipalities have plant
ed trees by the roadside 10 such an eX-
tent that an annual crop Of fruit OF
considerable size is the result. We
have also heard Of the reported Gus.
tom among the spaniards Of planting
peach pits everywhere. that there may
be an abundance of fruit for the peo-
pie. To what extent this practice has
resulted in a greatly enlarged fruit
crop we do not know. But some of
the travellers In Europe testify TO the
Ecarcity OF fruit there. so II would look
as If the practice has not resulted in a
superabundance of the fruit. Annual
ly we are confronted by the question
Of how TO ornament our highways.
Our landscape gardeners and horti-
culturists have the most to say about
the matter.
Il Is easy enough TO solve the prob
lemon paper. but not so easy 10
solve It in a manner that can be
worked out. There have been a great
many schemes tried in this country,
but few II any have been successful.
so far as the use of fruit trees along
the highway is concerned. The one
great obstacle TO the planting Of fruit
trees by the highway is vandalism.
How they prevent this in Europe, #
they do prevent 1t, we do not know.
Perhaps they have enough watchmen
employed to look after the rlpening
fruit. In this country the fruit trees
planted or growing along the highways
are wantonly despoiled Of the bios
SONS in poisoning time and Of their
fruit In fruit ripening time, and often
the fruit is taken before It is fit to
use, TO prevent some one else from
getting 1t. How often have we seer
carriage loads Of people driving into
the city with big bOughs Of apple bios
SONS. taken from some orchard where
a tree happened 10 stand, not on. but
near. the public highway. The grab"
system Of living must be eliminated
before we can hope for much In this
direction. Last year was a good year
for wild crab apples. and the people
in the locality in which the
resides have the custom of go
ing into the woods and gathering what
need each year. And there are
generally enough crab apples for all.
But last year men from a distance
came into the locality at crab-apple
time. They had wagons, bags and
Dickers. They boldly invaded every
ield and wood where crab apples were
and skinned the trees Of their
'ruit. which was afterward sold I'm
South Water street, Chicago. This
shows just what would happen in the
.ase Of fruit raised on the public high
way. Those that did the work of car
ng for the trees would reap none Of
he benefits; nor would the general
Here and there in unfenced lots are
apple trees, and the treat
lent they receive shows what would
e the treatment Of trees likewise IN
rejected. Before the apples are hard
ripe people cont and shake or beat
hem of with clubs. The trees are
aft not only stripped but manned. and
fter a few seasons Of this treatment
a most unsightly appearance.
he writer knows Of one family that
ad a big tree full Of apples a few
undred feet from the house. One
light men came with a wagon and
the fruit, leaving only wheel
.acks for the owners of the fruit.
When we have a denser population
nd roads so valuable that men have
be constantly employed to keep
lard over them and repair them. we e
ay be able to raise fruit by the road
debut that time Is as yet far dis
nj .-Farmers' Review.