The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-09-20
Saluda Apple Trees, Planted Just
After Revolutionary War Still Bear
Delicious Fruit Although Neglected
Western Carolina Apples
First In u. S. To Mature
Ready In Orchards
BY w. B. HERlOI

SALUDA, Sept. 20-0rchards
of Western North Carolina are
now making their seasonal presen-
tation of apples of the finest quail
ity, flavor and color, grown IN the
world and the first to mature IN
the United States.
As usual judges at apple shows
will proclaim the superiority of
the fruit of these orchards with
appropriate awards which they
have received at shows in all parts
of the United States.
The transporting of this deli
cious fruit to market, perfumes
with fragrant arOmaS. the ribbons
of highways reaching out in every
direction from the orchards many
of which are atop of mountains
with scenic outlook quickening TO
the romantic appeal of this most
attractive occupation.
Apples grown in the United
States are available in England
and France and other markets Of
the world where they are shipped
in increasing quantities.
As the most popular fruit
grown in the United States the
apple conforms to larger num-
Der of delicious recipes than any
other fruit.
Apple trees planted in the Salu-
da section shortly after the Revo-
lutionary war. though badly neg
lected, are still bearing fruit of
delicious flavor though otherwise
ordinary quality. One of these
trees attracting especial atten-
ton has a trunk approximately
three feet in diameter.
The apple tree is most suscep-
tible to care of its growth and
development, responding in pleas
ing fashion to cultural acts of
man to whom it presents superior
fruits, fruits of thy labor" a
single tree yielding in some in
stances as many as forty-five
bushels. However, there are occa-
Sional seasons when the acts of
man are set aside by acts of ma
ture. This season the cold wet
weather gave "Scab" full sway
with the result of a quality per-
centage below the average. This
years total crop over the entire
United SteteS, according to the
government report, is the smallest
in 25 years. The North Carolina
horticultural department reports
for this state a crop of approx
mately forty per cent as compar-
ed with fifty-Seven per cent last
year.
Experience has shown that in
seasons of low grade and yield,
well cared for orchards have
earned larger profits because of
advanced prices obtainable for the
smaller percentage of good fruit
available.
Henry P. Corwith. past presi-
dent of the North Carolina HOr-
ticultural Society says: IF
there were sufficient apples pro-
duced in Western North Carolina
and graded and packed as they
should be, there would seldom
if ever be apples from any other
section, in the markets of the
Carolinas, Georgia and Florida.
The establishment of grading and
packing plants with which a
standard and uniform grade can
be put on the market is most es-
sential to the profitable develop
ment of this industry. HOrticul-
ture has increased the value of
mountain lands that are too
rough for general agriculture.
Many Of the best producing and
well kept orchards were set out
on land that cost, the developers
of the orchards, as little as ten
dollars per acre. An average
well cared for orchard will easily
produce five hundred bushels of
good quality apples to the acre
at a moderately young age.
There is probably no land in
North Carolina planted to crops
which show so large an increase
in value as lands planted to the
best variety of apoles. The ap-
pies industry is a pleasant and
profitable occupation, when con-
Quoted on right principles. North
Carolina will continue to make
progress with the addition of
these beauty spots upon it's land
scapes."