32 



reflected odium of this trash in the markets, and their fruit 

 ranks correspondingly high with consumers and with every- 

 body who loves a fine thing. Only a few days ago the writer 

 was provided by the secretary of the State Board of Agricul- 

 ture with a box of apples for demonstration purposes which 

 cost $5 in hard cash. That was the market rate for these 

 apj)les, held over in cold storage. They are less at the begin- 

 ning of the season, of course, but such is their reputation 

 that they are always high. 



The foregoing discussion presents the main facts of the 

 orchard situation, both east and west, as the writer sees them. 

 It only remains to " sum up the case," and to make some 

 specific suggestions as to putting our orchard industry on its 

 feet in accordance with the general principles already given 

 — as to adopting some western methods. The writer sug- 

 gests, to those who may be thinking of planting an orchard, 

 the following points : — 



First, if possible, put out as much as 10 acres of orchard. 

 The equipment for running the orchard costs as much for an 

 acre as for 10, and the cost of setting it is very little indeed, 

 comparatively. An orchard in which the writer is interested 

 cost less than 6 cents per tree to fit the land and set the trees. 

 The trees themselves for 10 acres ought not to cost over 15 

 cents each. Furthermore, with an orchard of this size one 

 can afford to do many things, and will be enthused to do 

 many more, in caring for it which one would not with a 

 smaller orchard. By all means make the orchard large 

 enough. 



Second, use the greatest care in choosing varieties. Get 

 prolific ones, for there is no profit in growing an orchard 

 which doesn't bear. You must get the bushels if you are 

 going to get the dollars. If possible, get varieties which 

 have been grown in that particular locality. By all means 

 choose high-quality ones. In the writer's opinion, the Ben 

 Davis ought never to be planted, — in Massachusetts, at all 

 events. Possibly it may be allowable in parts of Maine, 

 where better sorts will not grow ; but an eastern Ben Davis 

 is such a poor thing, as compared with those of the middle 



