STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 75 



the net returns were $700, and the orchard is not yet at its best 

 bearing age. 



In 1886 this gentleman in question was in debt $1500. In 

 twenty years he has raised a sturdy family; paid every debt, 

 and about $1000 in doctor's bills; built a stable, a storage house, 

 and repaired other buildings ; and has a snug bank account, 

 substantially increased by the past year's returns. Best of all, 

 his boy is an enthusiastic helper and will follow in his father's 

 footsteps. 



The case cited is not an isolated one. There are hundreds 

 of farms in Maine, and no doubt in other sections of New 

 England as well, that would give even better returns on a sim- 

 ilar investment. Last year a farm of 57 acres, on which is a 

 thrifty Baldwin orchard of 150 trees, was placed upon the 

 market at $1000. This same farm has repeatedly returned $500 

 from the apples alone. The rest of the farm has been in hay 

 until it is one of the "worn-out" farms ; but the buyer of such 

 property is sure of liberal interest. 



I have not referred to the brilliant successes of Terrill and 

 Kinney of Vermont ; Ricker of Maine ; Solon Chase, whose 

 record with "Them Steers" is familiar to many; nor to the 

 large operators like Hale of Connecticut, and others of Massa- 

 chusetts, who have shown the possibilities in fruit growing. 

 Suffice it to say, there are hundreds of small orchards through- 

 out New England which during the past ten years have aver- 

 aged their owners a net profit of 15 to 40 per cent on the invest- 

 ment. And this is better than raising corn at 25 cents per 

 bushel 2000 miles from market, or than ten hours' daily work 

 in the factory. It is better than raising hogs or even peddling 

 milk. It is an occupation which takes a man out into God's 

 sunlight during the day ; which develops his powers of observa- 

 tion and his love for growing plants ; and which leaves oppor- 

 tunity for home life, for study and for social development during 

 the long winter evenings. 



(The speaker here introduced letters from practical orchardists 

 showing what had actually been done on "abandoned farms.") 



