72 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



acre. This increasing value of the orchard, 3'ear bj' 3'ear, forms an 

 important factor in the problem. Bat I am confident there is no 

 need of waiting so long for profits. Our nearness to good markets 

 and the promptness with which small fruits may be laid down in 

 good markets at a time when they are sure to sell at paying prices, 

 make it possible now to combine the raising of all the fruits that 

 flourish in this climate. So that while the orchard is growing, other 

 fruits will be paying a profit from the same land. My correspon- 

 dents in various parts of the State on this subject state positively 

 that their orchards are paying them a net profit from 15 to 75 per 

 cent. Not a single grower places the profit less than 15 per cent 

 and the average is nearer 50 per cent. Certainly an investment of 

 this nature ought to meet with favor at the hands of conservative 

 capitalists, more especialh' when it is considered that the orchard 

 may reasonably be expected, with good care, to bear for years to 

 come, and to steadily increase in value until the trees are fully 

 grown. 



In the South and West speculators have organized large fruit 

 companies, purchased land, planted trees and vines, sold capital 

 stock, paid small or no dividends, but promise great things in the 

 future. Now, suppose we should organize a veritable Maine Fruit 

 Company with a capital stock of $100,000 to be acquired by the 

 sale of stock as needed. At favorable points where there are 

 good local maikets for small fruits, purchase good fruit land 

 or land already set to trees, in lots of 100 acres or more. 

 Put some of our most successful fruit growers in charge of the 

 enterprise, and let them develop the industry by planting trees and 

 small fruits, erecting suitable buildings when needed, and purchas- 

 ing tools and appliances. Let them combine the growing of all 

 kinds of fruit, using the same land, and as soon as the apple trees 

 need all the land let the small fruits be abandoned or cultivated 

 elsewhere. The second year the small fruits will begin to respond 

 in crops, and from that time on there will be a steady increase until 

 the apple trees monopolize the land and are in full bearing. Under 

 the same management there might be a half dozen such fruit farms 

 in Maine and perhaps more. I have not the slightest doubt such an 

 enterprise well managed would yield satisfactory returns. Millions 

 of dollars are being invested in ^curities of doubtful value and sent 

 out of the State to enrich land and stock speculators. The Boston 

 Orange Growers' Company is organized with a capital stock of 



