98 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



I expect other markets will be opened up for our fruit, especially 

 evaporated and canned apples. If we can compete with other por- 

 tions of the country in anything we can in orcharding. Orchardists 

 should be prepared so that, when prices are too low, thej' can put 

 their apples in shape to keep till there is a call for them, by evapora- 

 ting or canning, and I think b}^ so doing they can make the business 

 as profitable in any year as any other branch of farming. 



'•The best of apples can be raised in Maine on land that is not, at 

 present, worth five dollars per acre. Not much capital required for 

 the business, eh? Some brains though, and more perseverance." 



By way of postscript he adds: "I have evaporated nine tons of 

 apples this year and expect to evaporate more if prices of green 

 apples should not improve." 



Now, my friend?, let me say right here that I believe in orcharding 

 as an industry on Maine farms. And I will tell you why I believe 

 in it. I will tell you, also, wherein it excels as a profitable factor in 

 our Maine agricultural operations. 



I do not believe every man who takes up the business simply for 

 the money be thinks he sees in the near future, will succeed in fruit 

 culture. Also the same may be said of most other specialties of the 

 farm. 



There is a necessity for special fitness and training for special 

 objects. The careless man, the bungler, the easily discouraged and 

 short-sighted farmer, will make a failure in orcharding, as he will be 

 likely to in everything else, because he lacks application and faith 

 in his work. 



TWO ADVANTAGES. 



There is a two-fold advantage to be derived from fruit culture, a 

 point in its favor often over- looked by those engaged in it. Besides the 

 value ot the fruit grown, it increases the value of land. But I hear 

 some one say, "I don't want to sell my farm," Perhaps not, just now, 

 but hundreds do, just the same, and there are but few farm homes in 

 Maine but some time in the past have changed hands, or will in the 

 future. 



Right here occurs to me one example. I know an old homestead 

 in Androscoggin county where the late occupant, the second in lineal 

 descent to foster the paternal acres a few years ago, when the family 

 were in health, it seemed as though other generations in the line 

 were likely to hand down the rich inheritance of a fine fruit farm. 



