SUMMER MEETING AT OREGON. 69 



orchards of the Hudson were famous; the opening of the Erie canal and 

 the lake border was fast bringing central and western New York into 

 notice westward, the valley of the Ohio was rapidly becoming the center 

 of a large fruit trade, and so commercially, where transportation was ob- 

 tainable the attention given to fruit growing rapidly increased. 



In our boyhood apples were brought from Clay connty in wagons 

 to our town and Fort Leavenworth, even thirty miles further on to St. 

 Joseph. A few years later wagons came from Kansas to Platte and 

 Buchanan counties, from Nebraska and Iowa to Holt and adjoining coun- 

 ties for their supply; many wagon loads season after season have supplied 

 Denver before the time of railroads. Thus it is seen by this retrospect- 

 ive glance that little by little the great foundation was laid, calling into 

 existence such an immense trade and the industry designing to meet it 

 at the present time. It can not be said here, where the orchard should 

 be planted. But as the matter of transportation to the railroad station 

 becomes a point to consider — it should be of easy access, the roads lead- 

 ing from it during the busy season kept level and in the best repair; of 

 course we mean those upon his own premises, if his influence could ex- 

 tend to the public, he ought to know where his interest lies. In the 

 choice of varieties, his aim will be to plant mostly of those in demand at 

 the market which he expects to supply, but on this point he should not 

 be restricted; the communications we now have open up various markets 

 to him. The character must be well considered, those of good shipping 

 qualities, slow to decay, those that do not show bruises too readily. 

 Those in size averaging from fair medium to large, smooth, well formed, 

 bright in color — red predominating. 



There seems to be a tendency to plant too largely of only few var- 

 ieties, especially of the later or winter. Since the older orchards are 

 passing away, a scarcity of late summer and fall apples has been made, 

 seriously felt by the shippers. This, causing good prices, irduces the 

 throwing on the market much fruit prematurely, the trade would rather 

 not deal with and the fruit be better on the trees a few weeks longer. 



The person, unless confining himself to a few kinds for certain sea- 

 sons, in planting will always find the later summer and fall varieties pay- 

 ing, especially where good fruit is produced. 'Tis very true a few var- 

 ieties will out produce others, but we believe that seasons will come 

 when some of the shy bearers will be the very ones to bring in the profits 

 Such has been the experience in some localities, it would be reasonable 

 to suppose that it was so in others. A few years ago we had fine Ben 

 Davis and others. Winesap, W. W. I'earmain and many more of that 



