Historic, Archive Document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. FRYEBURG: MAINE INFORMATION FOR GRO\ Varieties Ysed Balsam Fir, Norway Spruce, Douglas Fir, White Spruce, and in some states Scotch Pine and Austrian Pine. The variety depends largely on the varieties in best demand in the cities nearest the plantation. Balsam Fir is usually first choice for a Christmas tree, but Norway Spruce is being more generally planted as it costs less, is easier to grow, grows faster, and therefore gives a larger and quicker return on the investment. In some locali- ties pines of various kinds are in demand but do not usually bring the price that spruce and fir command. Age The age of tree to use depends largely on the condition of the land to be planted. If an old field, not cultivated, use only four-year 2-2 stock (2 years in the seed beds and 2 years in transplant beds). In the case of land that has been tilled, three-year 2-1 stock (2 years in seed beds and 1 year in transplant beds) may be used. In some very rare ipstances where careful attention may be given after planting, two-year 2-o seedlings may be used. Under no circumstances use trees that have been more than two years in either seed or transplant beds without being transplanted. Such trees usually have been so crowded that the roots are under-developed and the tops are so tall and spindling that they rarely grow into well- shaped trees. WING CHRISTMAS TREES S e We recommend spacing three feet by three feet. This is in anticipation of cutting out every other row when the trees are 3 to 4 feet tall, and every other tree from the remaining rows when a height of 4 to 5 feet has been attained. This leaves the balance of the trees to reach a height of 7 to 10 feet. As fast as trees are cut from a plantation as described above they should be replaced by small ones. In this way you will have, after the first 3 or 4 years of waiting, an annual crop to sell. Four- year Norway Spruce should attain a height of 3 to 4 feet in about 4 years after planting, and a height of 7 to 8 feet 7 years after planting. The other varieties mentioned above do not grow quite as fast as the Norway Spruce. The rate of growth is determined by the soil conditions. Good rich soil with the proper amount of moisture will grow good trees nearly twice as quick as poor dry soil. Number of Inrees te the Acre In round figures, 3 ft. by 3 ft. spacing requires 4800 trees per acre. In the plan of cutting already described you would have to sell about 2400 3 to 4 ft. trees, 1200 4 to 5 ft. trees, and 1000 7 ft. and larger. The largest ones of course bring the most money but it costs very little to have the others growing on the same piece of land. Cost and Method of Planting On areas that have been cultivated furrows are sometimes plowed and the trees planted in these furrows. The furrows will then collect water for the trees when it rains. If the field is not level do not use furrows as the water will run in them and wash the trees out. If the land is not prepared the same general methods of planting should be fol- lowed as for planting forest trees. The average man will plant between 500 and 1000 trees a day. The cost of planting, therefore, is determined by the daily wage scale. Care Christmas trees can be and are grown without any care whatsoever. We believe, however, that proper and judicious pruning for shape after the trees are two feet tall will greatly increase the value of the crop at very little cost to the owner. The question of fertilization has been greatly de- bated, some claiming that fast growth produced by fertilizer causes the whorls of branches to be so far apart that the trees do not bring top prices. Others claim that the fertilizer enables them to market their trees in fewer years and thus give a greater profit, although the market price per tree is less. Selling the Jrees The method of selling depends entirely upon local conditions, and the circumstances of the man who grows the trees. The man who is ideally situ- ated to grow Christmas trees is the farmer who has a few acres of land which can be devoted to this purpose. He can cut the trees himself around the first of December, take them to the city with his own truck and sell them from house to house at from 75¢ to $2.50 each. The business man, how- ever, who grows Christmas trees, can usually sell his trees to a store or Christmas tree broker in the » city at wholesale prices which IS from 25¢ to 759. | Westen Maine Gonresl Nursery it: GROWERS OF EVERGREEN TREES T. C. EASTMAN, Ov r ee Fnyelburg, Maine Living-Tree Time — 1946 Dear Friend: Thank you for your inquiry. Twenty-four years ago Fryeburg folks smiled at Cliff Eastman. He had just planted the first seeds for our Nursery. Folks smiled at the "Eastman boy" who was planting Evergreens when most of thé land around here was already covered with them! They smiled at his idea of sending LIVING TREES by MAIL! But their biggest smiles came when he said he would GUARANTEE HIS TREES TO LIVE! "Cliff," friends told him, "you can't do it! Suppose your customers don't plant ‘em right? Suppose they let the roots dry out? And what about people who'll say their Trees died just to get more free?*® But Cliff knew our Trees were strong and hardy. He knew they were easy to grow. But most of all — he had FAITH in folks who plant Trees! He was sure that folks who love Evergreens would treat them carefully. He believed that folks who cherish their homes and gardens are the most human people alive — and if he was honest and fair with them, they'd be the same with hin. And he was right! In the years since then, we've sent out millions of Living Trees to our customers. But the thing that has brought the greatest happiness to us is the friendly spirit that has grown between our customers and ourselves. They have liked our Living Trees so well that they have told their friends about then, and so a sort of endless chain of friendliness has been established. They Say We're the Biggest Cranks on Trees in Maine! We're glad to be called cranks, because we know that it means the very finest _ quality in Living Trees. ‘Course we have to give Mother Nature her share of the credit for the hardiness and beauty of our Trees. You see, here in Maine, our Ever- greens have to stand hot, dry Summers — then long, freezing-cold Winters. We don’t give them any special care after their first year, except to transplant them at the right time, which gives them room to develop their roots. The result? Every Tree we send out is a fine, healthy specimen, ready to grow in your town. Right now it's still Winter and the snow is on the ground. But it will be Spring Planting time soon, and we want you to have first call on the finest of our Trees. Our new Spring folder of Tree Bargains is enclosed. Read it carefully. Picture the many ways these Evergreens can give YOUR home more beauty — more value - for only pennies a tree! Choose the Trees you want. Enter them on the enclosed order blank, slip it with remittance into the envelope enclosed and mail it NOW. I'll see that your Evergreens reach you in time for Spring Planting! Sincerely yours, CO GO ae One of the Nursery Folks A AG ey ’ AG ht b aay i} ; iS. a, : ¥ ange pi Pana he Y & I MAD bh. pt py Aa A Eg ii AP ag LM pu eh kG el A eta pk Se AIA Nin Hl i