g^ HANDBOOK OF CONNECTICUT AGRICULTURE. 



FRUIT GROWING IN CONNECTICUT. 



The tender stone-fruits have been grown more or less in 

 the State for a long time, but only _in a small way. About 1 2 

 years ago a few growers began to give special attention to 

 peaches for market. They were successful. They organized 

 a society for mutual benefit. This soon grew into the pres- 

 ent very active and prominent State Pomological Society. 

 This association has disseminated much valuable information. 

 The result has been to develop the peach business into a very 

 important industry. The Japan plum has also at the same 

 time become one of the very important fruit crops of the state. 

 These two fruits to-day occupy thousands of acres which, 1 5 

 years ago, were used for pasture or ordinary farm crops. 

 Planting of both classes is still extensively done each year, 

 the growers supplying the home market and reaching out for 

 those still larger which are within easy shipping distance. 



With all small fruits the State is nearly fully supplied 

 by growers living in each section where the fruit is marketed. 



Apples have always been largely grown, but with the gen- 

 eral decay in other agricultural branches the apple orchard 

 was also neglected, and as a natural result returned but little 

 profit. The nearness to large markets and the profits in other 

 fruits has again brought apple growing into notice. Old 

 orchards are being renovated and cultivated, or are removed 

 and new ones planted and attended according to the latest 

 ideas of successful growers. Much land otherwise of little 

 value is being devoted to this crop. Much more yet can be 

 profitably employed in the same way. To aid in developing 

 apple growing, the State Agricultural College has planted 

 quite an extensive orchard of trial varieties, which is just 

 coming into bearing. Last year it also planted a ten-acre or- 

 chard for commercial purposes, with the idea of determining 

 the cost and best methods of treatment. Several plans of 

 inter-planting and filling are being tried, as well as the meth- 

 ods of cultivation now deemed to be the best. It will be a 

 valuable object-lesson in the near future. 



