No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 467 



inexperienced and the busy farmer with his many cares. Those 

 who have also given this subject but little if any study are likewise 

 included among its audience and are very kindly admonished to plant 

 apple trees, even though it be but half a dozen, on the village lot 

 or a few more in the old orchard of the homestead: 



"Set out trees! yes, plant an orchard, 



Dear, good farmer do you know 

 Of the wealth there is in fruit trees, 

 • For the labor you bestow? 



"Let the home be so attractive 



That the boy that is to-day, 

 When he shall arrive at manhood 



And in foreign lands will stray, 



"May turn with longing heart and loving 



To his home these hills among. 

 Thinking how the trees are thriving 



Which he helped to plant when young. 



"Have the children's playground shaded, 



And the public walks as well. 

 And the Joj^s from these arising 



Coming ages glad will tell. 



"These shall live and grow and gladden. 

 While we moulder 'neath their leaves,— 



Let us then improve the present. 

 Leave behind us priceless trees." 



To some it may seem somewhat surprising, but nevertheless it is 

 true, to find farmers — and so-called successful farmers too — who 

 do not raise apples enough for use in their own homes, and thus 

 depriving themselves and their families of one of the best and most 

 healthful luxuries of the land. There is not a farmer in Pennsyl- 

 vania, though small his possessions, but what should grow apples 

 sufficient, at least, for use in his own family, and the product of 

 which, in some form or other, should be found on his table every 

 day of the year. There is probably no section in this great State 

 of ours — at least none of any comparative importance — in which 

 apples will not grow. While it is true, no doubt, there are localities 

 that produce crops of greater abundance and fruit of higher perfec- 

 tion than others, yet in speaking of the farmer in general, the pre- 

 diction can be safely ventured, that to him an apple orchard, at least 

 for home or family purposes, would be a timely and profitable in- 

 vestment. The family orchard and the commercial orchard must be 

 viewed from different standpoints, the former being a branch or 

 adjunct of mixed or general farming, while the latter represents 

 the business or vocation of the specialist. While it may be a fact, 



