Fbuit Production in New York 1357 



let us approach our subject by outlining the ground to bo 

 covered. The fruits of this climate fall into three classes: tree 

 fruits, vine fruits, and small fruits. Orchards are plantations of 

 any of these but we restrict the term in this discussion, as in 

 common parlance, to plantations of tree fruits. To classify still 

 further, orchards are planted with two general objects in view, 

 namely, to produce fruits for home use and for the market. Again 

 commercial fruit growing is divided into that for a special market 

 and that for the general market. N^ecessary brevity forbids 

 specific discussion of these three divisions of orcharding but the 

 fruit grower must not lump them in this rough and ready way. 

 The ideals for each are distinct and the methods that succeed in 

 one division may not succeed in another. The very first question 

 for the fruit grower to settle is as to whether he is to grow for 

 home use, a special market or the general market. Upon this 

 decision largely rests the choice of location and the choice and 

 number of fruits and of their varieties. 



Still another division may be made. One may choose to grow 

 fruit extensively or intensively. In the first case the orchard is 

 the unit; in the second, the tree. Most of the orcharding in 

 America is extensive. Everything is done on a large scale. There 

 are many acres ; few varieties ; uniformity of method for all 

 varieties; wholesale packing and handling; and satisfaction 

 with a low price. In Europe fruit growing is intensive. Orchards 

 are small ; there are many varieties ; special conditions and treat- 

 ment are given each variety; individual trees are carefully 

 trained, pruned and fertilized ; the product is packed with all of 

 the niceties known to the trade and sells for a high price. 

 America will long continue to grow fiiiit extensively and condi- 

 tions are such that it is far best she should, but her fruit growers 

 can learn much from the intensive methods of the European fruit 

 growers, especially in the matter of looking more carefully after 

 the individual needs of trees. 



Wliatever the kind of fruit growing, the choice of place upon 

 which to grow it demands exceedingly careful attention. All sub- 

 sequent efforts will fail if a mistake is made in choosing the site 

 for operations. In growing fruit for the market economic con- 

 siderations, such as distance to market, means of transportation, 



