industry, not cniy in Maryland, but in the adjoining states 
as well. The industry is still in its infancy, and is probably 
less develéped in Merviand than in Virginia and West Virginia. 
The goppertunities are just as great in Western liar; land, how- 
ever, and the people are rapidly awakening to « realization of 
them. 
"he apple soils of this region are composed chieriy of 
gravel, the result of the breaking down of shaie, mixed with 
clay from a further decompositien of the same shale, and 
with a small percentage of sand. 
fre price of land for orchard »surposes varies with the 
character of tne soil. Brush land, which when cleared will 
produce good orchards, can be had for from wi0.00 to wel5.00 
per acre. It casts from yib.00 to 920.00 to clear such land 
at the Lowest estimzetes, Cleared land ranges in price from 
$15.90. to $60.00 per acre, while Land upon which crchards are ¢ 
prowing, 18 hard to buy, and is held et from ¢74,00 to y200.00 
per acre. Trese prices readily sugpest that the value of the 
orehard land is iittile realized in this iecality. Nany invest- 
ors have taken advantage of this oppertunity, and have bought 
_large areas, upon which they are promoting orchard develop- 
ments. The value of land in tnese sections is rapidiy rising, 
and is destined tc rise even more rapidly within a few years 
z (-11-) 
4 
ts 
<a oe sigehen 
ty aE eee ns 
