Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1912-11-28


River cup offered at the American
Land Show, In New York City, for the
best fifteen-box exhibit Of apples open
for competition to exhibitorp from
III states east Of the Mississippi river.
In the face of very numerous entries
and the most severe competition, it is
: source Of pride and qualification that
Mr.. Steck win rebound to the advan-
tage Of the apple industry Of this sec
ton, emphasizing, ~ It does. the favor
able natural conditions that prevail
here for raising apples of che finest
texture, finish, flavor and appearance.
While this is great tribute to the
personal ability Of Mr.. Eteck ass an
apple grower, yet without satisfactory
natural conditions, no human ingenuity
could dictate methods by which apples
could be grown to such perfection as
TO carry off the most valuable prize
that has ever been offered in America
for apple exhibits.
This calls attention most forcibly to
the very exceptional natural advan-
tages that this section possesses for
raising apples. There is no other Sec
ton where soil and climate are so cos
mopolitan and where 80 many different
varieties thrive to perfection.
The Pippin. Jonathan. Delicious and
other varieties grown in the irrigated
sections Of the Northwest grow to just
as great degree of perfection as do.
the Baldwin, Greening and other va
rieties grown in New York state, Can
ada and Nova Scotia.
1t is said by experts that all COM
mercial varieties Of apples, with prop
or attention, can be produced to per-
lection In the Winchester fruit belt.
Of the apple districts of the Shenan-
doah Valley the territory in Clarke and
Frederick counties seems to spossess=
advantages over other sections. For
instance, in ten years there has been
no damage by frost In these two coun-
tiss, while frost is greatly to be feared
In Augusta county, Virginia, one hum
dred miles to the south. There has
been no considerable damage by hail
In Frederick and Clarke counties.in re-
cent years, while Berkeley county,
twenty miles to the north, experienced
q most disastrous hail storm last sea-
son.
There is certainly every indication
that ii time the apples produced in the
section around Winchester will become
the most famous in the world. AL
ready the apples grown here command
the highest market prices.
The irrigated sections of the West
and the great apple section of New.
York state will be eclipsed by reason
of the advantages Of this section in
climate, soil and proximity to the mar
kets and the flavor Of the apples.
In the government census of 1910,
in Frederick county there were A73, PAS
apple trees of bearing age, and 1884,
1927 apple trees not of bearing age.
and this developement is being increased
each year.
With modern and intensive methods
of spraying, culrivating and thinning.
the production of this section will be
greatly increased each year, so that
in q few years the average crop of
Frederick county should not be less
than one million barrels each year
The three essentials of apple grow
ing, soil, climate and proximity to the
markets are possessed to marked
degree by this favored section. The
mellow clay loan lands, well drained,
friable and capable Of maintaining the
maximum amount of moisture, in con-
nection with the mountain climate,
enables this section to produce an
apple equal to any In high color and
appearance and excelled by none in
deliciousness of flavor.
The cool autumn nights gives the
&ppACS HAOWn IA tuAo 5GNttOn q wrap.
ness and high color rarely obtained
elsewhere, and to the discriminating
eatera Of apples. the apples grown in
the Valley of Virginia are always in
great demand.
Combined with these great natural
advantages is the great advantage of
proximity to the markets of the world.
For the freight rate of Is cents per
one hundred pounds to New York City.
Virginia apples can be delivered in the
metropolis fresh and unchanged thir-
ty-six hours after shipment, while APP
pies from the Northwest are in transit
over three. weeks and have to pay 9
freight rate Of 81 per hundred pounds.
God. in his wisdom, has given to thil
section advantages Of soil, climate and
proximity to the worlds markets moi
possessed by any other apple produc.
ing district Of the world. It now re
mains for man to institute such meth,
1 40la nf intanaiun aeiantifif hnrticuIfurf.