THE FRUIT GROWER 15 



7. THE FRUIT GROWER 



1. Importance : This worker provides a large portion of the food 

 of the human race, a portion that is absolutely necessary for 

 the preservation of health and strength. Fruit growing is a 

 leading division of agriculture in all countries and is of especial 

 profit and interest in temperate climates and the longer summer 

 season. It is the leading horticultural industry in America. 



2. Work done : Studying soils, fertilizers, and the various kinds of 

 fruit-bearing trees, vines, and shrubs; cultivating the soil; 

 raising plants in the nursery; setting out and grafting trees in 

 the orchard and shrubs and vines in the garden and in the field; 

 pruning and spraying; gathering fruits; canning and pre- 

 serving; marketing. It is easier to begin fruit growing on an 

 established farm than upon new land. 



3. Advantages: Outdoor life, and the enjoyments of trees and 

 vines; the profits of scientific fruit culture; the constant de- 

 mand for good, well graded fruit; the abundant supply of 

 fruits possible for one's own use; the possibilities in the occu- 

 pation for a person in poor health; the favorable climatic con- 

 ditions, for human life, of the regions in which most fruits are 

 grown; the permanent profits of most orchards, year after 

 year; the quick returns of some kinds of fruits. 



4. Disadvantages : The difficulties of the proper fertilization and 

 cultivation of the soil; the poor returns for fruit growing in 

 some localities; the cost of raising fruits in large quantities; the 

 large amount of handwork necessary in this occupation; the 

 fact that many fruits must be produced far from large markets; 

 the losses that arise from insects and disease, overproduction, 

 wide competition, the decay of fruits in storage, and in sending 

 to distant markets; the difficulty often of getting labor; the 

 difficulties of the small profits of off years in the growing of 

 apples and some other fruits; the danger from low tempera- 

 ture, frosts, and freezing; the long period of waiting for profit 

 in growing some kinds of fruits, and the short life of most fruit 

 producing vines. 



5. Preparation: A full course in an agricultural school, or fruit 

 culture courses in high or technical schools, and experience in 

 home fruit growing and in serving as a helper in orchard, field, 



