Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-12-22

tense desire TO Dc nelptui 10 tnOSc III
terested and engaged in the same line of
work as myself. While haven't been a
scholar i'm a class room since was
fifteen years old, / have tried to be a
good student since that time, learning
those lessons that have daily come be-
fore me and mastering those problems
as they have arisen to perplex and annoy
me.
Without question, education along
agricultural lines was never more need
ed or more desirable than to-day. Need
ed, not only that we may know how to
do certain things, and do them right and
well, but desirable because education In
any form should give US correct habits
of thought and greater powers to con-
tinue our study and Investigations along
any special line. But the door is not
locked and barred to any who may not
be favored with opportunities for &C.
quiriug what may be called liberal
education.
So many books at reasonable prices
are published that a good library on
agricultural and horticultural subjects
may be acquired at comparatively
small expense. Our agricultural press
is helpful as never before. Our states
and nation are doing grand and lasting
work through institutes, experiment sta
tions, and by sending bulletins on
special subjects to all who may desire
them. There are correspondence
schools, using the best of text books,
whereby those that are engaged in prac-
tical work may come in touch with
those minds who have made an exhaust
i've study of the theoretical side of the
subject. The Grange furnishes me-
dium whereby all may exchange ex-
periences and thereby each learn from
the other. / think can safely assert
that never before were more agencies at
work or available for the benefit of the
farmer than to-day. And other things
being equal a mans advancement must
be in proportion to the love and zeal he
has for his work and the manner in
which he takes advantage of these many
helpful agencies.
The inspiration for the text Of this
article came from letter which the
writer received from one Of Names
most able and successful agriculturists.
In the communication he speaks OF the
apple situation in Maine as being some
what disheartening, due to loss of many
productive orchards by the killing of the
trees and the unsettled state of mind Of
many of the famous fruit growers re-
garding the care of orchards already
established, of varieties to plant and
methods of packing and marketing fruit.
To my mind this temporary embar-
rassment and perplexity Of mind can
best be overcome by at once assuming
that apple growing is special and dis
tinct line of agricultural work and not
until the farmers of Maine realize this in
its fullness can they expect to make
fame for their state az they have done in
their dairying and through their potato
industry. Old orchards, when favorably
located and when producing desirable
varieties, should be renovated. 1t is
safe to assume that if one-half of the ap-
pie trees were made into fire wood a
good start would be made towards pro-
noting the apple industry. Orchards
should be planted on high ground where
the soil is sweet and where there is bet.
ter surface and atmospheric drainage
than exists in many places.
SuTbly uU otdIc III NOW LOO
more areas suited for the planting OF
apple trees than Maine. While an ap-
pie tree will grow most anywhere, right
here is where science steps in and COM
pels the judicious selection of sites as
the correct starting point in all orchard
operations. More cultivation should
be the rule with judicious feeding of the
tree. The covering of the ground in
midsummer with some crop to check
tree growth and to allow the fruit to
color better. Better methods of prun-
ing TO enable fruit to become OF better
size, color and texture. All of these
qualities being essential in production
of the fancy apple of to-day. Spraying
must be resorted to to protect trees aud
fruit from the myriad of insect and fun
gOus pests.
Should the same amount Of spray
mixture be applied to the apple trees of
Maine as is used on the potato fields the
results would be surprising to the apple
growers. Better methods should also
prevail regarding picking, packing and
marketing apples. More businesslike
methods should be adopted and perhaps
greater than all should be an increased
appreciation of the apple as commodity
of trade and of the amazing growth OF
large towns and cities which are con-
stantly demanding more and yet more of
this wholesome food product.
To-day there are millions yet unborn
who are to feed upon the fruit OF the
tree that is just planted. The apple
grower must, of all people, look ahead
aud see what is to be and shape his
course from that outlook. Every man
with dairy, that has suitable soil and
location and with any kind of adapt
ability for the work can easily establish
an orchard that may be source Of
pleasure and of large revenue. The
years between tree planting and fruitage
will soon pass.
When Maine shall be dotted with hun
dreds and thousands of these small, well
cared for orchards and when capital and
brains may unite in large commercial
orchard operations, then surely will the
apple be found to be the asset to the
agricultural life of the state, undreamed
of to-day, and second only to the dairy
cow in Importance and value.-E. Cyrus
Miller, Hillside Orchards, Haydenville,
Mass, in Maine Farmer.