REPORT OP COMMITTEE ON FRTIIT RAISING. 191 



REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FRUIT RAISING. AT THE STATE 



CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT CONGRESS. 



LINCOLN, FEBRUARY 23-24. 



Mr. President: Your Committee on Fruit Raising begs to submit the 

 following report and recommendations: 



The experience of farmers, fruit-growers, and planters in general in 

 Nebraska has proven that the natural conditions, soil, climate, etc., are 

 favorable for fruit production in the state. Pioneers coming to Ne- 

 braska found splendid wild fruits growing along almost every water- 

 course extending out into the state where protection from forest fires 

 was afforded. They found wild plums, grapes, crabapples, raspberries, 

 blackberries, etc., growing in abundance and which were finer flavored, 

 larger, and in every way better than wild fruits growing in other sec- 

 tions. The varieties were also greater and aside from the annual prairie 

 fires conditions seemed to be ideal for the growth of these wild fruits. 



General J. C. Fremont and other real pathfinders for the Western 

 pioneers noticed this indication of natural and favorable conditions for 

 fruit development and referred to it in their early writings. General 

 Fremont said: 



"The best indication of the richness of the Nebraska river (Platte 

 river) country is the luxuriance and prodigality of the wild fruits, 

 found growing wherever there is the slightest protection of trees. Our 

 men gathered and enjoyed more than twenty different varieties of plums 

 and grapes, all very much finer than any we had ever before seen. There 

 were also many varieties of blackberries, raspberries, dewberries, and 

 other kinds of berries that were new to us." 



General Dodge, in one of his reminiscences of the building of the 

 Union Pacific railroad, said: 



"We were seldomly without an abundant supply of some sort of wild 

 fruit during the time we were working in Nebraska, throughout the 

 season from June till September, and from the Missouri river to the 

 Rocky mountain foothills. The rich lands produced the finest wild 

 fruits we have ever seen, with the finest flavor and in (he greatest 

 varieties." 



Since that time there has been great developments in fruit culture 

 in the state and today almost every farm-home has its orchard and fruit 

 garden. Many mistakes have been made and many orchards and small 

 fruit plantations have not been profitable to their owners. We find, 

 however, that the natural conditions are not responsible for these condi- 

 tions but that lack of information as to the varieties best adapted, loca- 

 tion, culture, etc., and neglect of these important factors which are 

 essential to successful fruit culture are usually responsible for failures. 



On the other hand we find that in practically all of the state where 

 proper varieties have been planted on suitable locations, and where 

 reasonable good care has been given, that apples, grapes, cherries, and 

 other fruits grow remarkably well and bear fruit of good size, color and 

 quality. 



