Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-12-21
The Orchard Ground Of America.

our land is the soil better adapted tG
fruit culture than In old New England
For years the finest favored and highest
colored apples grown in America have
come from this corner of the earth
Since the time of the first settlers apple
trees have held an important place upor
every farm but not until within recent
years have apples been regarded as one
of the important crops upon the farm
Scarcity of fruit caused by the steady
increase Of population and by the fact
that there are but few places where the
| apple will thrive have created new i'm.
pulses among the New Englanders. Al.
ready there are plenty Of evidences that
large share OF New England will be
gradually converted into one vast or
chard.
The land rock ribbed with granite has
soil that Is especially we'll adapted to
apple growing. Trees como up in this
section from seed of their own accord
and make as rapid growth as do the
maple and pine. Nursery stock thrives
equally as we'll and bears In five or six
years. Scions set In mature trees bear
even sooner.
The climatic conditions for apple cul-
ture are of the very best. With the
trees blossoming in MAY and the frnit
ripening in October no injury is caused
by frosts. The hot summer causes
quick growth of both the tree and the
fruit and the slanting rays of the bright
autumn sun tint the fruit with such
delicate hues that 1t attracts the eyes of
every people Of the earth.
The prolificacy and fruitfulness of the
New England apple is subject of re-
mark. It is not uncommon for an apple
tree to bear for half century and con-
tinue bearing until disease or death
takes away its life. Five to eight bar
rels of fruit are not uncommon to q
single tree. Many trees bear every year
but the common rule is every other year.
Oftentimes so heavy laden are the trees
their limbs need additional support.
There Is new interest being manifested
in apple culture in New:England. The
recognition of the adaptability of the
soil and the high prices and good mar
kets are no doubt the result of this new
awakening. In one place and another
entire farms have been turned into apple
orchards that have redounded with sue
cess. More attention is being paid to
the orchards on every farm. The spray
er plays an important part and cultivat-
ing and fertiizing the trees have been
found to pay for the extra effort. In
place of -four barrels, new barrels and
boxes are now being used and more
pains are taken in sorting and packing
the fruit.
This new spirit that has taken hold of
the New Englanders may have been
caught from the apple growers of the
northwest. Their new ideas and moth
ods have revolutionized market apples
and have won for them in the matter Of
packing, sorting, neatress, md ability to
appeal to the eye the first place in the
markets of the world. But In the two
essentials, the striking color and splen-
did flavor northwestern apples fall far
short, while in this respect New England
leads the world.
Nowhere is there section OF America
adapted to fruit raising nearer the great
markets of the world. This fact alone
gives New England the prestige and ad-
vantage over all other sections OF the
country and renders her the most logical
fruit growing section on the globe.
The conversion of New England farms
into apple orchards is becoming an
established fact. There are instances
where already 10000 barrels are grown
upon one farm In single year and this
is in the Granite state. The state COL
leges are live factors in calling the atten-
tisn of the people to this profit paying
industry within the reach Of every one.
There are hundreds of farms In New
England that are paying no profit while
If they were set out to apples they could
be made to blossom like the rose and
yield good returns.
No apples grown In any part of the
earth can compete in the market in
color, flavor and keeping qualities. The
markets of the world are yawning for
New England apples. 1t but remains
for her to produce them in greater guam
titles each year until every farm shall be
converted into q literal apple orchard
and put upon profit paying basis. This
industry will cause the real estate in this
section to rise in value as fast as Its
money earning capacity becomes known.
Surely there is opportunity in New Eng
land to reap golden harvest from her
rock rihhad hilla and da1ea