No. (i. DEPARTMENT OF AC.RICULTURR. 253 



In recent j'^ears the commeicial idea in the cultivation of apples 

 in I'enusylvania has made some progress. We have learned by 

 practical experience that certain localities are specially adapted 

 to llieii' profitable culture, and iluit wliik* sonui varieties will 

 succeed admirably almost anywhere, others have local preferences 

 of soil and altitude. 



V\'e are encouraged, therefore, in the hojte that the large plant- 

 ings in recent years in the counties of Bedford, Adams, York, Frank- 

 lin, Cumberland, Mifflin, Juniata, Monroe and elsewhere are but 

 the forerunners of a movement that will eventually make this one 

 of the greatest of apple-producing and exporting states. Year by 

 year the laws governing the principles of fruit culture are being- 

 better understood and more intelligently applied, and while there 

 are many local conditions of soil and methods of culture that must 

 be studied and practiced we are progressing slowly, but surely. 



To succeed, we must study more closely the adaptation of varie- 

 ties to localities; and above all, in the case of commercial orchards, 

 confine ourselves to as few varieties as is consistent with a proper 

 succession of crop and proper fertilization, while in the blossoming 

 season. It is far better, for market purposes, to have five varie- 

 ties of winter apples than have twenty, or even ten. 



In fruit culture, as in agriculture, we must feed our crops that 

 they may feed us in return. Unless we sow we cannot reap. The 

 same intelligent care and attention given an orchard as is given a 

 business or mercantile pursuit, or a crop of potatoes, corn or hay, 

 will usually bring more profitable returns. But the growing of 

 fruit is not the alplia and omega of this calling. Gathering, stor- 

 ing, packing, shipping and selling are equally important jn'oblems, 

 requiring, not only intelligent judgment, but some business tact. 

 Just here let an earnest plea be made for fair and honest packing. 

 The market for first class fruit of all kinds is practically unlimited, 

 and if we would establish and maintain a permanent demand for our 

 products it must be along the line of a superior grade of fruit, 

 honestly and tastily placed before buyers. If we would wa'est from 

 the Pacific coast fruit growers any of the prestige they have es- 

 tablished for fine fruit, it must be done by imitating their methods 

 in reaching the great markets. 



But our possibilities as a fruit-growing state are not confined 

 solely to apples and peaches. The same soils and conditions that 

 will insure profit and success in those fruits will do the same with 

 pears, plums, cherries and quinces and the entire line of small fruits. 

 In a state teeming with cities, towns and villages, the inhabitants 

 of wbit^i are chiefly consumers and seldom producers, there is an 

 ever-growing demand for all these fruits at remunerative prices. 



This report would be incomplete without reference to a bulletin 



