Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-12-15

1 0IO0tVH VtotV kAVAOo8O 0m0 AAVk .
Interest in Orchsrding.
A greater potato acreage than ever be-
fore, decided awakening in the matter Of
fruit growing which will end in placing
the Maine apple ahead Of those Of Oregon,
and in general an improved condition in
things agricultural, are some Of the feat
ures voiced by DR.. @. n. Twitchell, Of
Auburn, president Of the Maine pomologi-
cal society, who has just returned from an
extended trip in various parts Of the State.
In IN interview DR.. Twitcheli said: II
have been going over Maine for twenty
six years, and with few exceptions have
never met that spirit Of enthusiasm mani
Testing itself to-day. This applies not
only to the potato crop but to all crops
and especially to fruit. II there is any
letting 60 1t is in some classes OF stock
husbandry.
ssMaine produced this year forty million
bushels OF potatoes and never in the his
tory of the State was there so much land
plowed for next years crop as to-day.
This is both promise and q danger. The
promise is ofllarger operations, the danger
thst Of putting our eggs ali in one basket.
ST there is to be one lesson enforced.
It is that Of reduced acreage in this one
crop and better care. No man can afford
to grow only 200 bushels an acre. The
cost carries him too close to the danger line
where cost eats up receipts. 1t costs
eighty dollars to grow an acre OF potatoes
and do good work, using one ton of high
grade fertilizer per acre. With short rows
this is materially increased. The line OF
fair profit hovers about 800 bushels per
acre.
Given fair season this is by no means an
extravagant yield. The best record have
found this year was 800 bushels from one
acre.
'sThe greatest value Of the potato crop
comes from it's forcing short term rota-
tion, for the grower soon learns that the
surest and easiest way to reduce cost Of
growing is through the blowing under Of
good second crop Of clover once in four
or at least five years. In some sections,
because Of thorough work in spraying, ex-
cessive rot is troubling growers, but this
affects only portion of the State.
Everywhere in the orn-growing port
ions OF Maine there is decided interest
in flint corn growing, while within the
territory covered by the factories there
will be full acreage next year. 1t is to
be regretted that so many have signed for
1901, for by standing together the price
could doubtless have been lifted another
quarter of a cent per pound. However,
the factories, led by those operated by
Gov. FerHald, raised the price voluntarily
from two to two and one-quarter cents,
making a substantial increase to all who
grow maximum CROP"
"Apple growing in Maine has received
most decisive uplift the past year, and we
are to witness in the immediate future
complete revolution of the industry. 1t is
going to be made an industry and not a
side line.
1.-THE faithful laborers Of interested men
in and out Of our State Pathological So
ciety, the passage of the fruit law last
winter by the legislature, credit which
must be given the State society, the earn
est efforts Of Prof. Hitchings, State ento-
mologist, and the holding of that remark
able New England fruit show in Boston,
has turned the current. 1t is to be more
fruit and better fruit from this day for
| ward, and the man who will not prune,
spray and protect his trees will make room
for those who do. Spraying is to be q
necessity, for in no other way can protect
ion be insured against pests, or size and
color obtained in our fruit. The two go
hand in hand.