258 BULLETIN 226. 



About 1860 men began to plant real commercial orchards. For the 

 first time in the history of the new world, large commercial apple orchards 

 were planted with a view to selling the fruit. It is no wonder that 

 some mistakes were made. The old ideas gained from the kitchen 

 orchard and cider manufacture were naturally carried over into the new 

 industry. Little was really known about the apple-tree. No one knew 

 much about insects and fungi, or how to treat them. Nor did they know 

 how to market fruit. Transportation and markets had to be developed. 

 The poor fruit and low prices discouraged many men. A few even cut 

 down their orchards. 



But these years accomplished much. The cheap apples educated 

 the taste of the public and created a demand for more apples. Together, 

 the farmer and Experiment Station man have worked out methods of 

 culture, and have learned how to control the enemies of the apple. 



But it takes time for new ideas to become established. The farmer 

 is conservative. It is well that he is so. Because he moves slowly, he 

 moves surely. He never needs to retrace his steps. We cannot ex- 

 pect every one to accept all the new ideas in orchard treatment as 

 soon as they are advanced. It has always required a generation of 

 men to establish any new agricultural system. Changes must largely 

 come through the new generation. Some mature men can readily 

 adapt themselves to new conditions, but it is usually the young man, 

 born under these conditions, who really accepts them. 



The many neglected orchards are records of the agriculture of the 

 past, the growing number that are well cared for are the forerunners 

 of the new. In the next fifty years the lake counties of western New 

 York seem destined to become one continuous fruit farm of apples, 

 pears, peaches, cherries, plums and small fruits. 



The change from general farming to fruit farming has been very' 

 gradual. The decrease in the fertility of the soil and western compe- 

 tition have forced men who were trained in grain farming and who 

 preferred that work to become fruit growers. The grain crops have 

 generally ceased to be profitable when grown for market. This has 

 directed attention to the small apple orchard which has so frequently 

 supported a family when the remainder of the farm gave no profit, or 

 an actual loss. There are many men who still neglect the orchard 

 to care for the field crops when there is not time to take good care of 

 both, but others take the businesslike view and tend to the most profit- 

 able crop first. 



