FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL. REPORT. 121 



Of course, I was enthusiastic and possibly in my ignorance I was 

 thinking how foolish of him to work so hard Avhile this fine orchard on 

 which apples and dollars would grow, with (in my estimation) so little 

 effort. 



We sometimes call these "pipe dreams" when others arc affected the 



same way. 



Well, i got the orchard on my own terms; secured a light crop the 

 first year and insisted on more pruning the second year than he was 

 willing to do, so we changed the arrangement whereby I paid him cash 

 rent, took all the responsibility of trimming and full care of the orchard, 

 having all the fruit. 



We trimmed quite thoroughly, our Avork being approved by the 

 field men of the college, so it was done near enough right for experience 

 to endorse. This second year we secured a full crop, got good prices and 

 the owner was sick of his deal and inclined to explode occasionally be- 

 cause of our success. 



As is often the case, success made us anxious to get into the busi- 

 ness on a larger scale, so we secured more orchards and interested sev- 

 eral apparently reliable men in a way that looked reasonable to prove 

 profitable to both parties. Last year these men were successful in 

 securing a very creditable crop, but we did not get on the market just 

 right and the profits were not on the right side of the ledger to make 

 it look good to them. The consequences was, they flunked and left 

 the whole contract for trees on our hands for this year, so we have 

 had about 4,000 trees over a territory that you can scarcely cover in 

 a day's drive, with an automobile. 



However, Ave have handled it this year with even less expense then 

 when the others were interested. Have done some trimming in every 

 orchard, luiA-e sprayed so that the fruit is as good as the average spray- 

 ed fruit (which is beloAV the standard Ave aim at) and yesterday we 

 finished picking. In one section the orchards were hit by hail early in 

 the season, injuring the fruit to such an extent that none of it could 

 be barreled. We haA*e a large number of Greening trees, but because 

 of the winter, these and some of the BaldAvins had very few, and in some 

 cases, no apples. 



We have harvested about 3,500 barrels, 1,000 boxes of good fruit, six 

 cars of bulk stock and perhaps five cars of cider apples. Now, what 

 have Ave learned? 



First, the terms of contract must give the renter absolute control 

 of the orchard for a term of years that will warrant expenditures, 

 trimming and spraying for scale, as feAV OAvners are Avilling to expend 

 sufficient amount of money for trimming to bring about satisfactory 

 results. 



Second, that the aA 7 erage farm orchard has too many varieties, part 

 of which at least are of little value for market, even Avhen they produce 

 a crop. We believe rent should be paid only on standard varieties, 

 but that the renter should have all apples except what is needed for 

 family use for the spraying and care of odd varieties. 



Third, the distance from a market or from the loading station is a 

 big factor in the fall of the year. Teams are always expensive and some- 

 times very difficult to obtain at any price. Consider this well in rent 

 ing an orchard. 



