76 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



VALUE OF ORCHARD LANDS. 



In view of the recognized value of the orchard crop, it is- 

 indeed surprising that orchard land, in close proximity to rail- 

 road and steamboat points, should be held so low. It is more 

 surprising that there are not numerous syndicates for the 

 exploitation of these orchard lands. There is not the slightest 

 doubt that with proper management the owner of apple orchards 

 in New England is surer of a liberal return on his investment 

 than is the owner of orange groves in Florida or of silver mines 

 in the West. 



One of the best orchard lands in Maine may be bought for 

 from $5 to $50 per acre ; and I know of hundreds of acres 

 within 100 miles of Portland that might rival the great orchards 

 of the Ozarks. 



Orchards already in bearing, as in one case already cited,, 

 are sold at surprisingly low figures. But there is every indi- 

 cation that the tide has turned and that the fruit interests of 

 the East are to receive a measure of the attention which their 

 importance demands. 



I would not minimize the difficulties attending fruit growing. 

 Mice and countless hordes of insects and fungous enemies 

 demand that the fruit grower be ever on the alert. But there 

 is no business or occupation which will permit a man to "sit 

 and sing himself away to everlasting bliss." The successful 

 ochardist must wage an eternal warfare, just as is the case with 

 any other successful business man. 



AN INVESTMENT PLAN. 



A few years ago the Secretary of the Maine State Pomo- 

 logical Society outlined a scheme for forming a fruit growers' 

 stock company, which, while it semed altogether feasible, has 

 not, so far as I am aware, been carried out in New England — 

 though similar organizations are very successful elsewhere. In; 

 the West and South companies have purchased land, planted 

 trees on a large scale, sold capital stock, and declared satis- 

 factory dividends. What has been done there can be done ini 

 New England. 



There are few if any absolutely safe investments that will 

 appreciate in value as rapidly as a New England orchard.. 



