Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-07-25

came in the even years-1S52-'54, ant
so on and the barren years came will
the odd numbers. Coles Fruit-BOOk
published in lS49 claims the honor OF
having discovered and published the
fact that the even years are the bearing
years in New England for most varie
ties of the apple. At that time, how
ever, it was noticed that in New Yorl
state the reverse was the case. 1t wa'
also admitted that certain trees in this
vicinity bore full crops in the odd years
and it was recommended to take scion:
from such trees for grating, though
the author believed that the trees would
gradually get back into their 'natura
habits"
Farmers still talk about bearing years
for the apple and other fruits, and it is
not strange since so large a proportion
of the apple trees planted the past fifty
years have been Baldwins, which art
such great bearers when they bear at all
that it requires year of rest before
another crop can be produced. At the
present time, however, the orchards OF
the country extend over such wide areas
that the crops of the whole country are
comparatively uniform as whole. A
short crop in one section is made up fol
by large yields in other localities.
| have no doubt that insects play a
prominent part in this matter of bearing
and non-bearing years. With full crop
of fruit on the trees such insects as the
codling moth find plenty of food with,
out spelling every apple that grows.
The insects come to maturity in great
abundance and the next spring are
ready for business in large numbers, so
large indeed that there are not always
apples enough to go round. In barren
wear | have counted as many as %
punctures of the curculio in the skin of
a single apple. The result is that in
barren years what little fruit there is
will be knurly and of little value under
the usual neglect it gets.
With an over abundant crop in a
locality the prices are usually low, some
times bringing little or no profit to the
grower. The crop of 1904 was so abun-
dant in portions of New England, and
barrels SO scarce and dear, that many
farmers neglected to harvest more than
what would be needed for home use.
At such times the feeling is general that
there is no money in apples, and the
trees are neglected and iu some cases
dug out to make room for more profit
able crops. In the near vicinity of Bos-
ton and other large cities there is no
doubt that other crops may be made to
pay better than the apple. l do not
blame people for pulling out trees when
they can do better with something else.
| once pulled out an acre of them which
had planted and watched till mature.
The land was not as well suited to the
apple rs had thought, and the orchard
was so near woodland that the buds were
picked off every winter by partridges.
found that could make better use
of the land than to raise apples in large
quantities for market. Land would
have to be very dear that would drive
me from trying to raise my own fruit in
variety and abundance. With me fruit
is both a luxury and necessity and
want it as nearly the year round as possi-
BILE. NY feeling is that every one with
even little land should grow fruit for
home use. One can seldom buy as good
fruit in the market as one can produce
right at home where it can be taken in
it's freshest and finest condition. 1t does
not require much land to produce a
family supply.
Many small owners are induced by
tree agents to buy and plant too many
trees aud of too many varieties. When
the trees are grown they are so near to-
gether that the fruit must of necessity
be inferior. All fruit needs abundant
light and air to perfect its quality.
With plenty of land one may get much
enjoyment from large variety of apples,
pears or other fruits. 1t is pleasant to
know many varieties and to be able to
treat friends with extra choice specimens,
even though such may not be profitable
as market fruit. 1t was once an object
to have many varieties for exhibition
purposes when prizes were given for
largest collections. Col. Wilder could
show over 400 varieties of pears at
September exhibitions. Others in the
vicinity of Boston have shown nearly as
many. But when Col. Wilder was ask
ed how many varieties of pears it was
advisable for persons to plant for profit,
he said they could all be counted on
ones fingers. If were planting for the
Boston trade | would be satisfied with
four kinds, the Bartlett, Bose, Seckel
and Dana's Hovey. Unless | could COM
niand cold storage / would not plant
many Bartletts for they are generally
low in price and will not keep long in
good condition.
For an apple orchard would not care
for greater number of varieties. These
should all be long-keeping kinds that
could be marketed without too great
hurry. In this | refer to large orchard
at distance from market. If were
near the consumers and dealt with them
direct it would be different. In that
case | might like to supply at retail
prices the different varieties as they
came along through the season. The
opening for a larger business in the pro-
duction of choice apples must be al
some distance from the cities where
land can be bought for small sums
And there are plenty of such oppOrtu
mites at the present time in localities
where apples will do as we'll as any
where in the world.
Some varieties of the apple will grow
and bear in an uncertain way on light,
sandy land, but for business purposes
would select strong, loamy soil that is
naturally retentive of moisture. One Of
my neighborS used to say that the rea
son sandy land is unfit for trees is be
cause sand will not hold the roots firmly
enough. The wind blows the trees
about and loosens them so they are
liable to injury by freezing and in othel
ways. Quartz sand does not have al
much potash in it ready to be dissolved
by the weather and growing roots as th'
trees may need. And thin soil with ;
loose subsoil of round gravel does no
hold moisture we'll enough for apple
trees.
The question of sod land or tillage fol
the apple is still an open question
Under certain conditions either method
may be the better. fhave been inclined
to the tillage method for / have noticed
the best fruit and the most healthy look
ing trees are generally found where
mature trees are kept under constan
cultivation. Orchards in sod are toe
often left too much to themselves, ant
without being fertilized, and in many
cases an annual crop of hay is cut ant
removed. The successful advocates o
sod culture always feed their trees b.
top dressing annually, and if the grass
is cut it is left on the ground to deca.
and prevent too rapid evaporation Ol