Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-12-03
APPLES IN IOWA.

The Council Bluffs NOnpareu reporIs
the success achieved by F. P. Spencer
an orchardist of Randolph, Iowa, from
\ thirty-eight acre orchard as follows:
In 1909 he raised 1000 barrels OF
merchantable apples; IN 1910 ne nad
= crop failure on account OF late
frosts; in 1911 he sold $500 barrels
and in 1912 5000. barrels.
The price secured per barrel was
not learned. but inasmuch as the stock
was largely Grimes Goldens, VINE
saps and apples of those grade, the
Nonpareil believes 1t Is safe to pre-
sumo that the price was not less than
three dollars per barrel. This would
make the income for the four years
included in the report $28,5O0, an an
nual average of $7,125. One out OF
the four years was a complete failure,
which with modern orchard heaters
will likely be avoided in future. Based
on the three years in which there we're
actual yields Mr.. Spencer's income
has been $500 annually from thirty
eight acres.
'"It should be borne in mind in this
connection" the Nonpareil says, that
the apple market is increasing-that
is the demand for apples Is increas-
ing faster than the supply. It Is true
that there Is a glutted market in some
ample sections of the country when
the apples ripen. But this is due to
an absence of foresight in making
provision for the care Of the apples.
During the larger portion of every
year good apples are more expensive
and more difficult to obtain than
oranges. This is due to the fact that
orange growers are better organized
and have the business of care and
distribution better. systematized.
"A man with well kept: orchard
has q. stock in trade that, with, proper
care, will not depreciate or 80 out OF.
style. Not only this, but he has q
good healthy job in peerless state
with q mans climate" ~@.
GOING BACK TO THE LAND.
"The back to the land cry has it's
extravagances and has caused some to
20 to the country who should have
remained In the city," the Chicago
Record Herald observes. consequent
ly caution is being manifested In much
OF the advice now being given to city
folk who contemplate becoming farm
ers. while an occasional note of pes
simigm rises from those who have
tried country life and failed. tl
"But the fundamental fact remains
that farm life now offers greater re-
wards to those who are fitted for it
and who prepare themselves to meet
its conditions than ever before Prices
Of all farm products have risen great
" in the last decade, and the experts
say they have come to stay. T.
cities offer fewer chances Of quick
acquisition OF wealth; the country
needs more farmers; it will need
more for many years to come: Life TN
the country has greater possibilities
Of comfort and of pleasure than ever
before, and these are increasing.
sWhoever considers carefully and
sensibly going from city to a farm
will take into account all the require
ments Of success in the country. There
are no rewards for idleness on farm
anywhere; the man who is not willing
to work hard with his hands and with
his brains will fail on a farm; the
woman who is unwilling to part with
some city conveniences and conditions
will become disconnected. But there
are thousands of Inhabitants Of every
city who would succeed and be happy
on farms"