The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-04-19
HENDERSON IN
LIST CITED BY
STATE EXPERT
Rainfall, Types Of Soil,
Sunshine And Long
Season Are Factors

the United States east Of the
Rockies adapted to the growing
CT some of our principal fruits
is 10 be found in Western
North Carolina"
This statement, made recently
by H. K. Niswonger, extension
horticulturist of North Carolina
State College, applies chiefly to
the five mountain counties of
Madison, Haywood, Buncombe,
Henderson and Gancey.
According to Nj. Niswonger,
"1he abundant rainfall, varied
types of soil, bright sunshine,
lCng growing season and near
ness to Southern markets" en-
nance to large extent possibi-
Eties for large and profitable
production Of fruits in the noun
tain area.
Hlr. Niswonger speaks with
authority on this subject Of fruit
growing in the mountains. An
horticulturist of long and varied
experience, he has spent much
time in Henderson and the four
other counties mentioned, engag-
cd in educational and demonstra-
ton work connected with or
chards and the profitable, proper
growing Of fruits in them.
In these five counties, accord
Jig to Mr.. Niswonger 100000 or
Ia0re bearing apple trees are
growing with as many as 20
standard varieties in many plant
ingS, including those now in pop
u!a~ demand. Here may be found
small paintings Of strawberries,
IaSpberries, grapes, sour and ma
tive cherries. Peach and early
blooming plums are not so much
il evidence on account Of the
danger Of late spring frosts,
which makes the growing of
these fruits somewhat hazardous.
This information also comes from
L-r. Niswonger, who has supplied
the following figures ON fruit
growing in Madison, Haywood,
Luncombe, Henderson and Yam
Cey. taken from the 1880 gov
eminent census:
Apples, sol, 220 bearing trees;
l36.GG3 non-bearing trees; total
PRODUCTION. 1896 barrels an
L.a!ly.
Strawberries, 2G2 acres; total
production annually, 1&,408 81.
quart crates.
Raspberries, ~ acres; total
production annually, 1890 81
quart crates.
Grapes, 81 acres; total produc-
ton annually, ESQ tons.
Discussing the situation fur
tEer, Mr.. Niswonger says:
Since this census was taken
r2any of the newer apple or
chards have come into bearing
and the acreage devoted to the
small fruits enlarged until the
fotentialities Of production have
increased considerably a ov e
those reported in 1880. Hay
wood county heads the list in the
total number of apples and in the
largest average yield per tree.
Buncombe leads in the production
OF raspberries, strawberries and
grapes.
AT the present time, the pro-
Guction of apples is consumed
within our own borders and in
the industrial centers of states
to the north and south of US.
The other fruits are consumed
al home since the present pro-
duction just about meets the To-
cal demand. The casual observ-
er and lover of fruits often Won
ders at the scarcity of our high
quality apples on our local mar
kets. while carloads of similar
varieties shipped in from elsewhere
appear annually on these same
markets. The truth of the mat.
ter is, there are not enough OF
these good apples to go around
The orchardists' methed of mar
keting is another reason why
competition with western apple:
is not met. Our fruit growers
feel that they receive greater
net return per tree by selling
their apples as tree run through
the medium of the automobile
truck peddler, or as bulk graded