Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-12-17

with the various fruits. Eastern fruii
growers can learn great deal from The
methods and practices of tho Pacific
apple growers. Nevertheless, 1t would
seem unwise for the Eastern grower tc
discontinue bis other farm enterprises
and put ell bis capital and his labor into
apple production.
Marketing.-Owing to the great dis.
tance from market the fruit growers ol
the Pacific states have been compelled ia
effect selling organizations In order to
dispose of their fruit at profitable prices.
These organizations have been success
full, and have placed the fruit products
of these regions In all the large markets,
not only OF this country, but Of foreign
countries as we'll. Conditions In the Pa
cific states have made 1t easier to organ
ize such agencies, for the reason tha,
the farms are on an intensive scale, are
near to one another and are confined to
small agricultural districts. Having
only few produots:to handle, the organ
izatIons have been able to sell their
fruit at very substantial prices. These
selling organizations OF the farmers In
| the Pacific states arc worthy OF tho at-
Another marked Characteristic OF the
fruit industry In the Pacific states 10 the
thoroughness In the farm work connect.
ed with growing all kinds of fruit. The
best growers use every precaution and
do every piece of work a. thoroughly rs
possible In order to produce . high
grade product.
Tho Industry as . Whole.-In sum-
marking the main characteristics In the
apple industry of the Pacific states, prob
ably the small size of the farm and the
lack of crop diversiacstlon are the two
most important factors which are liable
to affect the future development of agrl.
culture in these regions. Thoroughness
and extreme care In production, as
well az efficient marketing organizations,
are needed, but they are not OF nearly 20
great importance as we'll grounded
farm organization, such as 10 always
necessary for the substantial and perma-
nent development Of any agricultural re-
giou.
Editorial in ssmePaper.)
Although We have never had the priv.
ilege of visiting the orchards OF the
Northwestern States, We have always
been much interested In the industry
there because of Its probable effect on
the fruit growing of the Eastern States.
We have therefore studied 1t ~ thor
ouphly ss possible from this long range,
and We have obtained good deal OF in-
formation first hand from those who
have visited and studied the business
there on the ground. We have no wish
to "knock," for we do not believe tn
progress built upon the weaknesses OF
others, but to ne many facts make fruit
growing as It 10 now conducted In the
Northwest doubtful enterprise.
We have another reason for being IN.
terested In this industry In the North
west. Our information 10 that 1t is
eastern suckers who have purchased
the fruit land of this region at extrava-
CANT prices and whose poor judgment
and mismanagement have caused the
collapse of the boom which now seems
imminent. 1t Is not for them that we
care, however; for any man who will
leave behind the splendid opportunities
of the East to sink bis money In dis:
tant region, on the strength OF . real
estate agents representations, ought to
lose bis Investment. We arc Interested
in educating our Eastern growers to
stay at home and develop the superior
possibilities OF their own fruit lands.
Mr.. Thomson has presented the situ-
alton In . conservative way-too con-
servative, We think. Small farms ct abb
surbly high prices IN acre, with little or
no observation-disclosures even opportunity
to diversity because they are 30 far from
the great markets-represent the most
risky kind of farming enterprise. When
the pressure of large crops, severe COM
petition and lower prices comes its
effects will fall first and heaviest on this
kind of fruit growing and many will be
ruined In the crash. No such type Of
agriculture has yet prevailed, or will
prevail. for long.
Some of the better sections Of the
Enthusiastically Hood Riyer-have
taught the apple growers OF the whole
country the great lessons that 1t pays to
grow the highest quality of fruit, that
CO. cooperative marketing may not only re-
duce the cost of selling but increase the
selling price and that the growers OF .
community working together can accom-.
plish many things which the individual
working alone is powerless to do. For
these services all fruit growers are In.
debted to these Western communities.
In these things many Eastern oommu-
mites yet have much to learn. Il.
It seems to Us that the Importance OF
the Northwest as fruit producing re.
gion has been given weight out OF all
proportion to the facts. It appears that
the total production of the seven far
Western states, with total area OF 1885,.
492 square miles, was only 1913 per cent
of the total United States production In
1911 and only 11.5 per cent In 1912. As
compared with this production OF apples
New York's output from An area only
one-flfteenth a. great (47,654 square
miles) was 1915 per cont OF the United
States total In 1911 and 18 per cent OF It
in 1912. New York, Now England and
PENNSYLVANIA, with an area less than
oue.fifth OF the seven far Western states
of Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Montana, CAL
ifornia, Oregon and Washington, pro-
duced three times a. many apples, which
was also one third OF all those grown In
the United States. -,
We think that total production should
be given much more weight than 1t ID In
rating the relative importance OF any
fruit growing section. Western finish
can never overcome the quality and the
amount of Eastern fruit In the markets.
fiigh.cIass Farming.
Everywhere farmers are expressing
their faith In farming by training their
sons to be up-to-date farmers. Every
where farmers are turning 70 the col
legss of agriculture as their best friend
and helper in educating their sons. In