FEETILIZEES AND FEUIT. 9 



Fertilized Fruits Much Better. 



" How did you come to use fertilizers so heavily ? " 



" Well, at home we used to farm on the old stable manure basis and 

 we were taught that manure was the only safe foundation for fertility. 

 I did not like such farming. There was too much work about it and 

 no profit at all unless you counted in a big manure pile as part pay- 

 ment. I do not care to do that when I can do a cash business with 

 fertilizers ! When I came to be a fruit buyer I found that the best 

 fruit came from farms where they used most fertilizer. It seemed to 

 me that a heavy use of fertilizers gave the best fruit, with least 

 expense in money and labor. I have been increasing my use of fer- 

 tilizers ever since I started with them." 



" What do you mean by best fruit ? " 



"I speak more particularly of peaches and grapes. With peaches 

 the difference is plainly evident to any one who will put two lots 

 side by side. Those grown with the fertilizers are of better color, 

 firmer and of better flavor. They will keep better. Grapes grown 

 with stable manure will not keep so well— they are soft and flabby 

 when taken from cold storage. I speak positively about this, for in 

 my business I have, had much experience in handling both kinds of 

 fruit. There is no doubt about it. Any dairyman will tell you that he 

 can make firmer and better butter from feeding corn meal than from 

 feeding bran. It is very evident that the difference is in the food. It 

 is no more remarkable that certain fertilizers will give better flavored 

 and firmer fruit than others. The difference is certainly as great." 



"How much stock do you keep then ? 



"Two horses, 40 chickens and a cat! I have hay enough for the 

 horses and some two acres of corn. The grain I feed, while the stalks 

 are exchanged for our milk and butter. I would not take any more 

 live stock as a gift— I have absolutely no use for it while I can buy 

 fertilizers." 



" How much help do you need on your farm ? " 



"We have 2 men for eight months steady, and about 10 pickers 

 and packers during the busy season. None of the men are boarded 

 here. We have our home to ourselves and are not slaves to a lot of 

 'chores' and hired hands. Talk about the 'freedom of the farm,' 

 there is very little of it, as some folks farm— spending the best part of 

 their time waiting on a lot of scrub ' manure makers.' " 



A Liberal Dose for Peaches. 



" You use fertilizers on peaches then ? " 



"Entirely. They not only give better fruit but healthier trees. 

 Manure is well enough on young trees, where wood alone is to be 



