Fruit Raising Suited to Amateurs 



An amateur who is about to take a farm can not do bet- 

 ter than to establish an orchard. Market advantages in a 

 thickly settled state are too important to be disregarded. 

 The keen demand for all kinds of fruit, not only in cities, 

 but in every small town, insures large profits. 



It would be wise to devote at least one acre in ten to 

 fruit. Thus on a farm of fifty acres there ought to be 

 a five-acre orchard. It is best to proceed with modera- 

 tion, for one needs practical experience. The proportion 

 of fruit may be increased as the owner acquires skill. It 

 is equally wise for the established farmer to give some 

 attention to horticulture. 



Cherries, apples and pears are among the hardiest of 

 the fruit crops and yield large returns. Late varieties 

 are safest in the north, as losses frequently result from 

 frost after trees have blossomed. Some varieties bud two 

 weeks later than others. 



The temperature can be controlled by artificial means. 

 The cost of heating per night depends on several condi- 

 tions. The cheapest and most reliable fuel is crude oil. 

 I have investigated several methods and have found that 

 the cost of running ioo burners one night is between 

 $2 and $3. At wholesale rates the heaters cost about 32 

 cents each. They will last for several years. I know of 

 one fruit crop worth $400 per acre which was saved at a 

 cost of $3 per acre. 



To be on the safe side, watch the temperature and start 

 the heater when it goes down to 32 degrees. This would 

 not happen more than once or twice in a season. Smudge 



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