New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-12
A FRUIT TREES WORTH
The Playmate of Children and
Supporter of Men.

Andrew S. Draper. Commissioner of Edu-
cation Of the State Of New York, when
asked few days ago TO express himself
relative 10 Arbor Day with the idea of
emphasizing some particular feature that
# would be we'll for the public schools OF
the country to develop, said:
1T IS being urged, and wisely, that a
good proportion of lawn trees might we'll
be fruit trees. In this the schools might
well make beginning.
With one or more fruit trees on every
school ground. the opportunity to study
the tree and its fruit at first hand would
be quite impracticable," the Commissioned
continued. This would not only add in
terest TO the school activities. but would
also arouse the community to knowledge
OF the value OF fruit products"
Yes New York State is great on fruit"
said the reporter VINO hadn't seen a fruit
tree for three years and whose statistical
knowledge OF the subject halted for lack
Of fuel at the belief that New York pro-
duces more and better apples than any
other commonwealth.
New York State folk know too little re-
gardlng their home products" observed the
Commissioner. taking note Of the reporter S
NcNA4NE III llllS ItsDttl. No HdHc Juoe
pride in our great state. That is not
enough. We should be able to explain why
We are great and in what respects we
excel
New York ranks among the states OF
the Union first in the production of apples
and small fruits second in grapes and
pears, third in plums and fourth in cher
r!es
"Chautauqua County alone produces
moro value in grapes than any state eX-
cept California. Niagara and Monroe
counties produce over one-half the peaches
In the state. One-ffth of the plums and
prnnes are grown in Niagara County, and
Cs'umbia County is the leading cherry
growing county OF the state. The counties
OF the Hudson Valley produce about one
NTH the entire fruit crop of the state
Asked the value OF the apple production.
MY Draper replied:
AS an adjunct to our food supply the
apple is fully recognized. and the income
" the growers OF the state Is rarely less
than 900 or S15 10000. New York has
produced for many years from IA TO 10 per
cent OF the entire crop OF apples In the
United States. In 1911 It produced over
."V0p barrels more than all OF the New
england States. 10000 more than the Cen
uai Western States over 100000 more
man the Southern States and nearly 1000
w more than the highly exploited crops OF
SViorado, Idaho. Utah. Montana, California.
oregon and Washington combined. Six
counties in this state produce more apples
'han any state I'm the Union except Penn
sylyania
-. IN March, 1911, there were in storage in
western New York over 10000 barrels OF
eppies' quantity greater than was pro-
euced the same year in seventeen apple
growing states.
New York has always led in apple pro-
.Oeuon' The crop here is more reliable
ian elsewhere. Soil and climatic condi-
S are unsurpassed. There 10 scarcely a
oetsiul orchard in the state from which
may not see dozen sites suitable for
e"uhg There is opportunity for great
pansiOn IN the production of apple cult
IL II deemed wise to do So"
"hiie there were certain localities
'oushout the state known as great fruit
,s' yet there were, he said, excep-
Una Opportunities for fruit growing even
-. shah orchards in every part OF the state.
"e'e is no better time 10 give serious
usht to our fruit trees than on Arbor
H Mr. Draper confined, with enthusi-
Every tree has It's place and func-