FORTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT. 81 



was perishable and could not wait. After this a succession of hard 

 winters, followed by an epidemic of fruit tree diseases and insect pests, 

 discouraged many growers. Orchards were neglected and soon fell a 

 prey to their enemies and were soon destroyed and removed, and today 

 one may see bare and in many cases badly gullied and washed fields 

 where once grew fine productive orchards. The farmers, however, who 

 stuck to the business, giving their orchards proper care, have found them 

 increasingly profitable. 



There is no good reason why Kent county should not be producing 

 more fruit toda}' than ever before. It is true conditions have changed. 

 The fruit grower of today must })e a specialist. Fruit cannot be grown 

 in the old careless manner; indeed, I doubt whether the general farmer 

 from now on will be able to produce fruit for home consumption. It is 

 a serious question if he can afford to do so. It is a business by itself 

 and gradually we must grow up a new generation of men who will be 

 primarily fruit growers and not farmers, and when that time comes 

 Kent county will again take its rightful place as the banner fruit sec- 

 tion. Our splendid market, excellence and diversity of soils, elevation, 

 immunity from frosts, all combine to make this the ideal location if we 

 but meet the changed conditions. I know of no more pleasant and 

 profitable occupation or one that will more surely and quickly respond 

 to intelligent effort. 



We hear a great deal said about over-production. We have always 

 had the same talk, but the facts are that when production reaches a 

 point at or above local consumption and an outside market must be ob- 

 tained, the greater the supply the greater the opportunity to interest the 

 buyers; in fact, until we can furnish solid cars and in large quantities, 

 we cannot expect to command any considerable outside trade. Buyers 

 will go where there is an adequate supply. 



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