River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1911-08-10
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:. -. hocausa of the difficulty of obtaining
annles that had been packed with extreme care
that many large buyers,-particularly those Duy-
ing for foreign markets,-some years ago IN
augurated the practice of buying the apples
on the trees and themselves attending to the
nicking and shipment. The plan has proven SO
satisfactory to both growers and buyers that it
has been paid for the fruit ION the trees in a
single orchard OF course, the grower does not
get as large a lump sum as he would for the
packed apples, but his net return is as great or
greater and he saves himself no end of trouble
and worry and controversy. The apple buyer
who purchases an apple crop on the trees in
this fashion may bring in his own expert pick
ers to harvest the fruit or he may merely en-
ploy the labor in the neighborhood.
1t is sometimes declared that considerable
portion of the American people has to put up
with what are, in effect, second-grade apples
while the proudest products of our orchards go
scooting past doors enroute to castles and
hotels and mansions beyond the Atlantic. OF
course, this is true, only in measure. I'M
mense quantities of all the high-priced varieties
of American apples are consumed right mere at
home, although it may be admitted that the bulk
of the supply for the populous eastern cities
comes from the orchards of New York, New
England and other districts that are close at
hand. But by the way, it may be added that
the apple growing industry in New England is
taking a great brace regards the quality
of the fruit produced. Stony hillsides, particu-
lary in Connecticut are, under the advanced
methods of cultivation being made to yield
heavy crops of huge delicious apples and If thiE
sort of thing keeps on the time is coming when
New England apples will vie in the markets of
the world with the prize specimens from the
west coast.
A noticeable characteristic of the American
apple growing industry in all sections OF the
country is found in the immense numbers OF
people who are entering the field. There seems
to be something of a general mania to take up
fruit raising which exceeds in extent the STAN
pede of a few years ago to get into the poultry
raising business. A good many of the newcom-
ers have had little experience in fruit raising,
or indeed in farming of any sort and those who
are laborng as many of them are, under the
delusion that frut-raising is "easy money"
proposition requiring neither experience nor
hard work. would seem doomed to a rude
awakening. On the other hand many Of the
men who have lately taken up apple raising as
a serious business are shrewd business men of
energy and determination who will win out in
the end even if they do stumble a few times at
first. What is more number Of them have
the capital back of them to stick at the game
and this is important inasmuch as the apple in
dustry is liable to prove waiting game,-not
only with young trees which have not reached
the bearing stage but also to some extent with
mature orchards when a late frost or other in
suspicious conditions may ruin crop and allow
the grower no chance for profit until full
year hence.
Some of the apple growers have expressed
fear within the past year or two that this i'm
mense influx of apple producers will serve to
in time glut the market and force down prices
The best-posted authorities, however, take lit
tie stock in any dire predictions in this direc-
ton They point out that not only is apple con-
sumption bound to have a natural increase pro
portionate to the growth in the population of the
country, but, more significant still is the cir
cumgtance that the American people are learn.
ing to make more extensive use Of this supreme
ly healthful fruit, serving it in variety of new
forms which will make the fruit what is ought
to be-a staple on every American table.