Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1906-07-19

/ produce as readily as we can make
shoes, cotton cloth or wooden nut
megs.
Over much of the area of New Eng
land apple trees are growing almost
spontaneously, and wherever. in the
past, seeds may have been scattered,
We may find trees growing. These
old trees, though neglected and broken
by storms, usually 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, regrafted to varieties
of recognized merit, become the most
valuable assets of the farm. In this
connection | have in mind an old Or
chard in southern Maine. set more
than so years ago and naturally some
what decrepit now. In three success
sive years recently, this orchard, COW
ering about 21a acres, yielded $50. 400
and $50 bushels respectively; which
brought the owner $3.50, $500 and $3.50.
or an estimated net profit to the
owner of rs per cent. These old
moss+covered neglected veterans,
hardy as naples and refusing to die.
stand as living witnesses to the posi-
bilities of New England's hillsides
Nor is the testimony confined to these
old veterans. Very many modern in
stances of men who have accumulated
competence from old rocky pastures
by the aid of the apple tree might be
cited
In view of the recognized value of
the orchard crop it is indeed surpris-
ing that orchard land in close prox-
unity to railroad and steamboat points
should be held so low. 1t is more
surprising that there are not numerous
syndicates for the exploitation Of
these orchard lands. There is not the
slightest doubt that with proper man
agement the owner of apple orchards
in New England is surer of liberal
return on his investment than is the
owner of the orange groves in Florida
or OF silver mines in the West Some
of the best orchard lands in Maine
may be bought from IS to $50 per
acre, and I know of hundreds of acres
within 100 miles of Portland that
might rival the great orchards of the
Ozarks. The orchards alraedy in
bearing are sold at surprisingly low
figures. But there is every indication
that the tide has turned and that the
fruit interests of the East are to re-
ceive measure of the attention which
their Importance demands.
would not minimize the difficulties
attending fruit growing. Mice and
countless hordes OF insects and fun
gus enemies demand that the fruit
grower be ever on the alert. But
there is no business occupation which
will permit man to "sit and sing
himself away to everlasting bliss.
The successful orchardist must wage
eternal warfare, just as is the case
with any other successful business
man.
There are few, II any, absolutely
safe investments that will appreciate
in value as rapidly as a New England
orchard. Excellent fruit land may be
bought almost anywhere in New Eng
land for $40 to $50 an acre. If SCI
with desirable sorts of apples and
given intelligent treatment these
same lands WILL at the end of 10
years, be worth, at a low estimate,
500 an acre; while in Is years they
will be returning a handsome divi-
dend on valuation of from $500 to
$500 an acre. The increasing value
OF the orchard from year to year. I'D
to rs years OF age, is an important
factor In the problem. To be sure, the
orchard must be cared for and pro
tected during the first 10 years; but
this is not by any means a dead load
to carry. Many of the lands which
may be included In the tracts bough,
already contain profitable bearing or
chards. Small fruits or sweet corn,
potatoes or other hoed crops, may be
grown In the young orchard to meet
the expense of cultivation and fertI-
lization. "Fillers of Wealthy" or
some other early-maturing sort. which
will come into bearing in five years,
will pay the expense of the orchard
before the main trees reach their
prime. An investment OF this nature
will certainly stand investigation at
ho -