266 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



periment with very few new varieties and let these be recog- 

 nized for superior quahty, hardiness of stock and j>ersistence 

 in bearing. The curse of the business today Hes in the difh- 

 culty in getting trees true to name. 



The tree agent or nursery owner cares only for your order, 

 and what variety is best for your locality you alone can deter- 

 mine. My experience is that the best one with them is the one 

 they have the most of, or find the hardest to sell. It is per- 

 fectly safe to assert that it does not pay to grow early fall 

 fruit, unless it be the better class of cooking apples like the 

 Duchess. Even the Wealthy is losing its popularity in the 

 markets, and among growers, who are turning to the Mcintosh, 

 Baldwin, Spy and Stark for the bulk of their crop. Don't 

 multiply. The extra expense in handling and selling cuts 

 out all surplus. Make a record for one variety and let that be 

 one popular in all markets. Aim at 200 barrels, or more, yearly, 

 from these 200 trees after ten years old. What is true w^ith 

 apple trees holds with all small fruits. My word to the buyer 

 of a ten-acre farm would be to grow into the production of 

 all small fruits and cover the range from early strawberries, 

 raspberries, currants, gooseberries, blackberries, the volume to 

 be increased as one learns to keep healthy and productive and 

 to market at best advantage. Avoid novelties and rely on 

 tested varieties. To realize $800 to $1,000 gross income, every 

 rod must be invited to contribute. Idle land is an expensive 

 luxury. In all garden work, aim at two crops yearly, if not 

 three. This means the organizing of every rod for business. 

 Knowing something of your market and its demands, decide to 

 lead, not follow. Be ahead of the game. This necessitates 

 that one commence planting, on paper, in December. Only 

 he who maps out his garden in advance can hope to avoid costly 

 errors at planting time. To so organize an acre that it can be 

 kept busy throughout the season, calls for careful thinking in 

 advance of planting time, and here is where income is to be 

 determined. 



Extensive, intensive work necessitates the greenhouse, but 

 that imposes expense and skill beyond every-day farming. The 

 cold frames, six by six feet, can be made a decided help to 

 anyone wanting early vegetables. Planting in rows four to 



