STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 93 



little attention other than to gather tlie fruit when ripe. Tlie fact that 

 apple trees do sometimes succeed remarkably well thus neglected, should 

 be a basis for encouragement in adopting a better system of culture. No 

 other producing agent on the farm responds more generously to good 

 culture than does the apple tree. Yet no other farm crop is so generally 

 left to look out for itself. 



Fertilizers and farm manure are as essential to the best results in apple- 

 raising as in corn-raising. Land tliat is in good condition will produce a 

 little corn \\'ithout manure, and so will an orchard without fertilizers, 

 produce a little fruit. A heavy application of manure and fertilizers to 

 the corn-field produces a large crop of grain, and pays a handsome profit 

 on the expense. So the application of manures and fertilizers to the 

 orchard produces an abundant crop of large, fair apples whicli will sell at 

 a good price. If the trees are fertilized every year, tliey will bear a 

 pretty good crop of apples every year. The income of a large orchard of 

 grafted fruit well cared for, proves one of the most reliable of any crop 

 on the farm, and is one of the most substantial supports of the farmer. 

 There are many orchards in this State, that previous to 1875 yearly 

 brought more money to their owners tlian all the rest of the farm. 



It is not recommended that every farmer should engage in apple grow- 

 ing. Some farms are ill adapted to apple trees, and it would prove uncer- 

 tain business at the best, to attempt to raise them to anj- extent. Other 

 farms, however, seem peculiarly well adapted to the apple tree. The 

 trees grow thriftily, and are hardy and productive. Oftentimes such 

 ftirnia are stony and worth very little for other purposes except grazing. 

 The farmer who owns such land should make orcharding his principal 

 business. The apple crop should be his principal crop, and he should 

 apply his mamire and fertilizer to secure an abundant yield. In some 

 towns in Maine, most of the high land is eminently well adapted to apple 

 orchards, and the owners of such laud should engage extensively in the 

 culture of the apple. One man can attend to a large number of apple 

 trees, covering several acres, except when the harvest time comes, when, 

 of course, more laborers will be required. But, at other seasons of the 

 year, the farmer could attend to his orchard himself, without the aid of 

 the hired help, which would be needed if he cultivated hoed crops ex- 

 tensively. 



Some refrain from setting young orchards, because they think it will 

 require almost a lifetime for the trees to come into bearing. Much less 

 time than is usually supposed is required to bring young trees into bear- 

 ing. Trees set on suitable land, in good condition, cultivated, manured 

 and well attended to, will be in condition in ten years to begin to bear 

 considerably, and be a source of profit. Ten years is not a verj^ long 

 time to wait for a return for the money expended, and besides, he who 

 plants an orcliard, makes one of the best of investments for his children. 

 It is a better investment than town or city bonds. 



It is to be hoped that apple trees will be more extensively set the coming 

 year than ever before, and that the farmers will cultivate the ground 



