2 
HARRISONS’ NURSERIES 
more strawberries are grown and shipped than from any other point in the 
entire country; peaches, tomatoes, apples, and other fruits are grown in almost 
unbelievable quantities. 
While nature has been lavish with soil and climate suited to fruit-growing, 
the development of the industry has been fostered in a large measure by the 
great nursery interests located at Berlin, Maryland. This nursery, which at 
present covers more than 2,500 acres, was founded nearly thirty years ago by 
the late J. G. Harrison and his son Orlando. 
Under the original management the nursery made a marked and rapid ad¬ 
vance, but the road to its present success was marked out after it came under 
the immediate control of Mr. Orlando Harrison, who from the very first has 
been ably seconded by his brother, Mr. George A. Harrison. 
The Product of the Nursery 
The force and energy of this team compelled success, and the nursery grew 
from a hundred acres or so to five hundred, then to a thousand, and finally 
they have come to be the largest growers of fruit trees in the world. 
The nurseries now form the largest industry in the pleasant little town of 
Berlin, employing from 300 to 500 people, and contributing in a very large 
degree to the prosperity of the place. 
Natural conditions in location and climate, combined with human ability 
and skill, have produced a certain distinctive quality in the trees grown in this 
nursery. Berlin is only seven miles from the Atlantic Ocean. This body of 
water tempers the climate so that the Peninsula never has the severe early 
frosts of many other sections, nor the long cold winters of the northern states. 
The winters are short, and the growing seasons are long, so that stock grown 
here is likely to be larger and stronger than stock of the same age from other 
districts. 
“Is the stock hardy?” did you say? “Will it do well in colder climates?” 
Positively yes, it is hardy, adaptable, and will do well in any section. We have 
strong, cool winds direct from the ocean; the temperature goes low enough to 
put vitality and cold-resisting powers into every tree; the stock becomes dor¬ 
mant early enough to permit digging and shipping to any point for fall and 
winter planting. For spring planting we can ship at any time you desire. 
A planter should always remember that it is the variety of the fruit that is of 
the greatest importance. If you select and plant a sort that is thriving in your 
general locality, you may be satisfied that you will have equally good results. 
Where the tree is grown is not so important as variety. 
Prosperity on the Peninsula 
Under the guidance of Mr. Orlando Harrison the business has been so organ¬ 
ized that the brothers have been able to give more or less time and thought to 
public affairs on the Eastern Shore. A person not familiar with conditions in 
this section a few years ago will hardly appreciate what that statement means. 
Eight years ago there were practically no modern, improved roads on the 
Peninsula. Ocean City (seven miles from Berlin, and the most important sum¬ 
mer resort on the Shore) is located on a small peninsula; and to reach it, a horse 
or automobile must be driven on the railroad bridge. The State College of 
Agriculture had never received adequate support. The State Horticultural 
Society was hampered by lack of funds. The various agricultural interests of 
the state of Maryland had never been under the control of a central body. 
And as for a Farm Demonstrator, or County Agent—no one here knew of 
such a position or dreamed of having one on the Eastern Shore. 
