114 NEBRASKA STATE HOlt'l'U'I LTLKAL SOCIETY 



fruit, which is the most deli.nhtful and health-giving product that enters 

 into the diet of our people. It is to be hoped, also, that the fruit growers 

 of the future will plant and deal on the plan of reasonable profits; 

 growing largely with a view of feeding the masses, and that the trans- 

 portation companies will be liberal in their dealings, so that the blessings 

 of cheap fruit may be extended to all, whether they reside in our favored 

 portion of the realm or not; so that the vast grain country of the North 

 may be supplied, the rich mining regions of the West as well, and the 

 overcrowded cities of the East. And the time will come, the writer 

 believes, when the people of the islands of the sea, and the people of 

 the Oi'ient as well, will gladly eat oi our surplus fruit. Our habit of 

 eating tropical fruit is well established, and why should not the people 

 of the tropics desire and receive our fruits in return? A few years ago 

 the citrus fruit growers of California secured a shipping rate across our 

 continent and to Europe at as low a rate as for comparatively a short part 

 of that distance; thus the California grower was enabled to reach a 

 distant market and sell his product at a profit, and after the fruit-eating 

 habit had been formed even higher prices only measurably reduced the 

 consumption. Apple growers have never, so far as I know-, even attempted 

 to do what the citrus fruit growers succeeded in doing, as to special 

 rates, but the time will come that all will be put on an equality, and then 

 the apple grower will come into his own. 



Encouraging Outlook. The fact that success has attended the efforts 

 of our best planters in the past should be an encouragement for the 

 future. We have the benefits of the experiences of the past, and there 

 should be fewer mistakes in the selections of varieties and locations. 

 Conditions generally have changed for the better, and the prospects are 

 bright for the apple grower who will devote intelligent energy to the 

 production of our best and most profitable market varieties. If he has 

 not experience, information is at hand for the asking, and he can avoid 

 the costly experiments and experiences of the past; for the signboards 

 of success are numerous; for many varieties have succeeded and some of 

 them remarkably well. And right here comes one of the dangers, at 

 least one of the things to be avoided; and that is, too many varieties for 

 the commercial orchaid. There is a temptation to plant too many sorts 

 and to try new varieties. Visiting a large apple grower, just as he was 

 finishing up his pack last autumn, his complaint was that he had too 

 many varieties, and yet he had but about six in all. According to his 

 views but two or three of these varieties were enough for a commercial 

 orchard. He was located away from any large center of population, but 

 even if near a large city it is easy to get too many varieties. 



Essentials of Success. In conclusion, then, in summing up the essen- 

 tial things necessary to success: In addition to splendid soil with good 

 air drainage, suitable climate for the production of apples of the best 

 quality, all of which you have to a remarkable degree, add proper prepara- 

 tion of the soil, discrimination and elimination in the selection of varieties, 

 proper planting, thorough cultivation, protection from vermin, proper 

 pruning, spraying, and care; in fact, giving proper attention to every 



