Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 226, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 September 1911 — Indiana’s Early Orchards. [ARTICLE]

Indiana’s Early Orchards.

The Indiana State Horticultural society, behind the movement for the apple show in Indianapolis, opening November 6, is one of the oldest and most substantial institutfons in the state, it having for seventy-five years been a highly important factor in the development of the Hoosier land. Before Johnny Appleseed, the father of Indiana apple orchards, was in his grave in 1847, the society was at its work *of developing the state’s fruit resources, and the coming show will really be a celebration of its diamond jubilee and the most elaborate exposition it has ever held. In promoting apple culture, the society has, as the years have gone by, had to contend with constantly Increasing odds in the way of orchard enemies, which have not only, ravaged the orchards, but discouraged the growers until they learned how to combat these evil**":

The first orchards planted in the middle west were started by Johhny Appleseed, or John Chapman, who obtained his seed from the cider mills of western Pennsylvania and scattered them along the streams and through the woods ot the Indiana wilderness. From his day to this it has been evident to members of the society that Indiana has both soil and climate for frnlt culture, and what is nesded now is to revive the spirit and determination of the pioneers who brought the first orchards into bearing. TWs revival is expected to come through the apple show. Henry Ward Beecher, then living in Indianapolis, in 1843 stated there were 18 nurseries in the state, selling apple trees at twenty cents each and pear trees at twenty cents each, and ding a good business, while the long summers, brilliantly clear atmosphere, and great warmth and dryness during the toll ripening months, give our fruit great site, color and flavor. When the society toet In 1844, 180 weto