192 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Plantations of commercial proportions have been very profitable 

 undertakings for those who have given the business the required atten- 

 tion. We find this ti'ue, especially, in the older counties along the 

 Missouri river. Orchards, vineyards and small fruit plantations are 

 proving exceedingly profitable in this section and much of this land is 

 better suited for fruit culture than for any other use. The soil is rich 

 in potash, phosphates and other elements favorable to the best develop- 

 ment of both wood and fruit. Its texture is such that it readily absorbs 

 the water of heavy rains and melting snows. Then due to its sponge-like 

 nature it is able to hold sufficient moisture in reserve. The topography 

 of the land provides for good drainage, both soil and air, which are im- 

 portant factors to fruit production. 



We believe this section of Nebraska is unexcelled, everything con- 

 sidered, by any and equaled by few of the widely advertised sections of 

 the country for commercial fruit growing; that with the same energy 

 expended in growing apples and some of the small fruits commercially, 

 better returns for the investment may be secured than is secured in 

 many of the famous fruit sections of the country. The advantage of 

 being from 800 to 2,000 miles nearer the principal market, than Western 

 fruit sections, thereby saving the growers much in freight charges and 

 loss from the long haul that the Western fruits are subjected to. are 

 also great advantages to the Nebraska growers. 



As a result of the success of a few commercial apple growers in this 

 section who have practiced thorough and up-to-date methods of handling 

 their orchards, a revived interest in this business is shown and indica- 

 tions now point to more thorough methods being pi-acticed in handling 

 the old and heretofore neglected orchards and to more planting of 

 orchards for commei'cial purposes. During the seasons of 1909 and 1910 

 growers reported returns of from $100 to .$1,000 per acre from their 

 orchards. 



Vineyard and small fruit plantations have also been proving very 

 profitable. Numerous instances may be cited where such plantings have 

 returned from $800 to $1,000 pet acre. 



With the natural conditions favorable to fruit growing in this section, 

 growers by observing four important factors, i. e, cultivation, pruning, 

 spraying and heating, can make crop failures very rare jind the business 

 a source of great profit. 



We recommend that this congress go on record as favoring and en- 

 couraging the development of the fruit industry in eastern Nebraska to 

 its fullest capacity and that the attention of the farmers and growers of 

 fruit in general be called to the much neglected condition of the orchards 

 and fruit plantations of the state and that they be urged to give better 

 care and culture to their orchards and fruit gardens. 



(The above report was unanimously adopted.) 



