ORCHARDING ON THE FARM. IO5 



ORCHARDING ON THE FARM. 



THOS. E. CASHMAN, OWATONNA. 



Viewing this subject from a farmer's standpoint, the writer has 

 only to look back to his boyhood days on the farm, where the trials 

 of Hfe were the caring for the stock, milking cows, putting in crops 

 and tending them during the summer. After the harvest, which 

 was not always a bountiful one, was carefully put away, the re- 

 mainder of the season was spent in planning for the crops the fol- 

 lowing year. Rapidly enough the years rolled around, finding us 

 content with what he had and thankful for small favors^ and not 

 the least of these was the pleasure of eating apples from a few 

 trees which father had planted some time before, for, as the story 

 goes, an oily tongued tree agent's argument prevailed and, reluc- 

 tantly but hopefully, a few Duchess and crabs were planted. I will 

 assure you that they received little attention, for father had little 

 confidence in Minnesota as an apple state and felt that time spent 

 in taking care of the orchard would be lost. 



There was no fence built to keep away the stock, and, conse- 

 quently, a number of the trees were broken off. When the fifth 

 summer arrived they showed some fruit, and, I will assure you, it 

 was well appreciated, and our respect for the tree agent went up 

 several points. More attention was now shown the trees, like the 

 self-made man, whom every one is willing to help after his greatest 

 trials are over. Nor was this attention without avail, for the trees 

 grew rapidly and bore apples almost every year. 



About that time more trees were planted, for we realized that 

 although Minnesota had had desperate failures in apple raising 

 it was due chiefly to the fact that the trees had not received proper 

 care or the varieties adapted to the climate had not been planted. 



The number of our hardy varieties bearing fruit of commercial 

 value is somewhat limited, yet it is great enough to supply our 

 wants and give us good, luscious fruit almost the entire year. 

 Many thanks are due to the horticultural veterans who have worked 

 so hard and diligently for the happiness and comfort of mankind. 

 If Peter M. Gideon had not lived, where would be the Peter or 

 Wealthy and other good varieties of apples originated by his never- 

 tiring zeal to do something for his fellow man? Dozens of others 

 have contributed to the hardy list, until now we find ourselves com- 

 peting with localities more favored in markets, as well as at in- 

 ternational exhibits, and carrying away laurels that would do 

 credit to the apple districts of Michigan and New York. 



