The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1912-08-21
.THE APPL INlBslRl
IL NEST I!RgIAA

(By J. II. stewatt Agricultural
Agent Baltimore & Ohio RRilfoad.l
In recent. years west Virginia has
forged rapidly to the front as. a large
producer OF the finest apples in com.
merclal quantities. The growers are
familiar with the enemies that beset
apple trees and their fruit. andgknow
how to combat and control them.
They have learned much also aboutI
the proper classification and packing
Of apples and understand what the
markets demand. Most OF the grow
crs know and practice approved
methods OF pruning and spraying thell
trees, aud are well up in the best.
management OF orchard soils. Al
ready the state has become famous
rs large producer Of superb apples.
! and every year now the biggest buy.
ers OF other states and OF Europe and
South America come to the state In
order to enrich their stores for the
following winter from orchards Of
Ni,st Virginia,
In some regions OF the unto where
some exceptionally handsome apples
are produced the areas suitable for
apple culture are very restricted lnS
deed, while some other regions hav'
Ing good soils apple growing will al.
ways be impossible by reason OF In
sufficient rainfall and unavailable wa.
ter for irrigation. But this Is not SO
in West Virginia, for In every one OF
her counties there is large acreage
suitable In every way for profitable
apple growing. All OF the conditions
essential TO making money in nipple
orcharding. such as 9 fertile soils,
abundant rainfall, proper air drain,
age. absence, Of winter killing, fro
quency Of drought and damaging
frosts, unsurpassed home iinafkets,
splendid transportation facilities and
proximity to the great markets OF the
east, are all found in West Virginia
The fact that these conditions prevail
throughout the state has been abund
antly demonstrated. Commercial or
Guarding, however. IN n strict sense.
thus far has been largely confined to
the alleys Of the Ohio and Potomac
rivers and In the north and east pan.
handles, where the industry is most
highly developed. In these sections
the records show that total failure
Of the apple crop never occurs and
that the production Is continuous and
uniform. IfiIcI 'a1p.uufI ~
Under the cry favorable conditions
which SO generally obtain Throughout
the state the apple tree lives to be
very old. Once an orchard has been
brought up to bearing In proper con
dition and viii proper treatment II
may be relied upon to yield annually
heavy crops pi apples Of the finest
appearance and superior quality. Not
withgtanding the very considerable
deelopmcnt OF the apple industry.
there Is not one county In which at
much as 5 per cent. of the va'lable
choice apple land that has yet been
planted, and In most parts OF the state
the Industry has scarcely hegun.
OF the 100000 acres Of wholly un.
deeloped lands there Is very large
per cent which is splendldly adapted
to apple culture. These lands lie we'll;
they are vel watered: they are rich
in landscape beauty; they are close
to first class railroad transportation;
they are we'll settled communities \
where society Is well ordered; there
are splendid schools, good roads, fine
markets and wellsupplled churches Of
all the prominent denominations; the
climate is delightful; the winters are
EHSll unu lHV netl VI lut eululutl IL
no oppressIe. 1t Is lend of beauty
and a delightful place In which TO-
live. 49, ...j.. .r,
That apple growing in West Virgin
ia Is profitable has been proven over
and over. The writer Is familiar with
What has been done by most OF the
growers an dknows definitely Of many
instances OF what they have accom-
plshed from time TO time. For exam
pie, the owner OF 40 acre orchard
IL years old In one county refused
100000 in cash for lO-year lease
upon his orchard, and ample protcc
ton for the orchard and It's owner
was provided for In the contract, a
compound interest the 100000 would
in 10 years become $4,000. The les
see would provide for all expenses
including taxes, In caring for this
rroperty. and at the end OF 10 years
the owner would have 22-year;olG
orchard In tts prime and In perfect
81 nm l.. o,,k r..