Oxford Democrat., 1906-12-25
New EnsIand's HllIsldes.
PROFITABLE oRCHARDING POSSIBLE ON
LANDS NOW SPOKEN OF AS ABAN-
DONED.

really misnomer, aS most OF tnem nave
been used, partially at least, as adjuncts
to other farms, while many have been
merged into other farms.
In outlining the reasons for this par
tial abandoning of these farms the
speaker mentioned the inherent unrest
OF the American people, the opening up
Of the more easily cultivated lands OF
the Middle West and the failure on the
part of our people to meet the home
problems In forceful, intelligent way
also the failure to appreciate nearby
possibilities. The statement Is made
that "the bushy pasture of our day may
be the most valuable part of the farm in
our children's day." After carefully
outlining the causes of wornout lands
the speaker set himself to the real task
of the lecture by calling attention to the
possibilities of fruit growing.
Over much of the area of New Eng
land apple trees grow almost spon-
taneously, and wherever in the past
seeds have been scattered we may find
trees growing. The old trees, though
neglected and broken by storms, usual
ly produce some fruit every year, and
are frequently loaded to the ground.
When given half the chance of ordinary
farm crops these same old trees regraft-
ed to varieties of organized merit be-
come the most valuable assets of the
farm, In this connection have in mind
an old orchard in Southern Maine, set
more than eighty years ago, and natural
ly somewhat decrepid now. In three
successive years, recently, this orchard,
covering about two and one-hslf acres,
Welded $50, 400 and $50 bushels, re-
spectively, which brought the owner
$3.50, $500 and $3.50, or an estimated net
profit to the owner of IS per cent.
These old moss covered neglected vet
Grams, hardy as naples and refusing to
die, stand as living witnesses to the
possibilities of New England's hillsides.
Only few weeks ago in conversation
with the owner of an abandoned farm In
Maine the following interesting facts
we're brought out: The owner, a resi-
dent of Waterford, Oxford County, was
a young married man and wished to
branch out somewhat in his farming
operations. In 1885 an abandoned farm
of l38 acres, one and half miles from
his home, was bought for $3.50. This Is
what is known as a hill farm, and apple
seedlings grew almost spontaneously
At the time of purchase there was a
thick growth of natural apple seedlings
over the abandoned fields. Some OF
these had been top-worked, and that
year yielded twenty barrels OF fruit.
The same year the owner set three hun
dred trees and began grating the other
seedlings. Such wood and timber as
there was on the place was sold on the
stump at 81 thousand, instead oi
spending time and labor in clearing.
During the first three years the young
orchard was cultivated and planted to
corn, the old trees being in pasture, but
there was an application OF eight to
fifteen pounds tree of fertilizer made
up of two hundred pounds of nitrate OF
soda, six hundred pounds Of muriste OF
potash and six hundred pounds OF
ground bone.
As indicating the earliness Of fruiting,
one of the top-grafted trees the third
year from grating produced three bar
rels of Baldwins, and the fifth year five
barrels. The tenth year (1S98) there
were sold from the place 275 barrels OF
Baldwins at 81 barrel, mostly from the
top-worked trees, of which there were
about three hundred.
In 1900 there we're sold 600 barrels at
81. .43 1-2 barrel; in 1901, 80 barrels at
$3.50 a barrel; in 1902, $50 barrels at
81. .25 barrel; in 1908, $50 barrels a,
S1.75 a barrel; in 1904, $50 barrels at
81. .43 a barrel, and in.19O5, 375 barrels al
81. 2.85 a barrel.
The high prices realized are due to the
excellent fruit and the fact that it is
held in a storage house-built on the
place from the profits of the orchard
until the price is satisfactory. In 1900
and 1904 the net returns from this small
hillside orchard on one of Maine's aban-
doned farms were nearly $500. In 1905
the net returns were 500, and the Or
chard is not yet at its best bearing age
In 1886 this gentleman In question was
in debt $500. In twenty years he had
raised sturdy family; paid every debt
and about 81, 900 in doctors bills; built
stable and storage house and repair
ed other buildings, and has snug bank
account, substantially increased by the
last years returns. Best of all, his boy
is an enthusiastic helper, and will follow
in his fathers footsteps.
am personally familiar with the last
farm named, and am also very sure thai
it is not by any means an isolated case
| OF course, no one should infer that these
returns will come without intelligent
labor. The insect and fungous pest.
must be controlled; the problem Of
fertilization must be met and mastered
but none of these are insurmountable
they yield to the hand Of the close OBJ
server of conditions, and the work done
| in these directions tends to improve the
quality of the fruit, puts the owner in
closer touch with his work, and gives
him ambition to reach the top as . pro
ducer of first class fruit. Professor
Munson's lecture should be given fret
circulation among those who are looking
toward the land for source OF income
either az life work or as an investment
l-B. Walker McKeen in Tribune Farmer