CHAPTER XV 



SHALL I BE A FRUIT GROWER? 



Unlike many types of agricultural production, fruit grow- 

 ing is decidedly a long-term proposition. In contrast, the 

 individual deriving a major part of his income from annual 

 crops may usually change to crops other than those which he 

 has been growing, provided that there is indication that the 

 change will be more profitable. Such is not the case with the 

 fruit farmer, for once the fruit plantation is established, only 

 through a sacrifice of values, capital and effort, can he change 

 his field of endeavor. Were it possible to look into the future 

 at sufficient length, many of the problems and hazards asso- 

 ciated with fruit growing would be eliminated. The long 

 period which usually exists between the planting and harvest- 

 ing of a fruit crop tends to intensify the risks w^hich the indi- 

 vidual engaged in this type of agriculture must take. There 

 is every need for the closest consideration of the factors which 

 may affect the profit-making ability of the enterprise. The 

 multitude of situations over which there is no control serves 

 but to emphasize the necessity for careful investigation of all 

 available information in guiding one^s decisions in the selec- 

 tion of a vocation. 



The potential fruit farmer should not be content to base 

 his decisions in choosing a vocation solely on the probability 

 of financial return. To be sure, this is very important, but 

 few men have the will power to make a success of a business 

 in which they have no personal interest. The following ques- 

 tions should be answered: 



1. Have I a sincere personal interest in the problems con- 

 cerned with the management and operation of a fruit farm? 



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