POSSIBILITIES or WORN-OUT ^RMS. 



47 



on the place was sold on the stump at S4.00 per thousand, instead 

 of spending time and labor in clearing. 



During the first three years the young orchard was cultivated 

 and planted to corn, the old trees being in pasture, but there was an 

 annual application of 8 to 15 pounds per tree of fertilizer made up 

 of 200 / nitrate of soda, 600 f muriate of potash, 600 §■ ground bone. 



As indicating the earliness of fruiting, one of the top grafted 

 trees, the third year from grafting, produced three barrels of 

 Baldwins, and the fifth year five barrels. The tenth year (1896) 

 there were sold from the place 275 barrels of Baldwins at $1.00 

 per barrel, mostly from the top worked trees, of which there were 

 about three hundred. 



In 1900 there were sold 600 bbls. at $1.43^ per bbl. 



The high prices realized are due to the excellent fruit and the 

 fact that it is held in a storage house — built on the place from the 

 profits of the orchard — until the price is satisfactory. In 1900 

 and 1904 the net returns from this small hillside orchard on one of 

 Maine's abandoned farms were nearly $500. In 1905 the net 

 returns were $700, and the orchard is not yet at its best bearing age. 



In 1886 this gentleman in question was in debt $1500. In twenty 

 years he had raised a sturdy family; paid every debt, and about 

 $1000 in doctors' bills; built a stable, a storage house, and repaired 

 other buildings; and has a snug bank account, substantially in- 

 creased by the past year's returns. Best of all his boy is an enthu- 

 siastic helper and will follow in his father's footsteps. 



The case cited is not an isolated one. There are hundreds of 

 farms in Maine, and no doubt in other sections of New England 

 as well, that would give even better returns on a similar investment. 

 Last year a farm of 57 acres, on which is a thrifty Baldwin orchard 



* Serious attack of pink rot. 

 t Sold in November. 



