192 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Some kinds of fruits are pretty uniformly good in a variety of 

 soils and amid other differing conditions. Other kinds depend for 

 a profitable degree of success upon the existence of some one con- 

 dition, or of several conditions, which are not essential to others. 



To illustrate the influence of one of these conditions, viz., the 

 character of the- soil, let me state a fact observed in Kennebec 

 county. Extending from the town of Monmouth, through Win- 

 throp and Sidney to West Waterville, there is a formation of pyr- 

 itiferous slate. In places, the rock is so strongly impregnated with 

 sulphuret of iron, that copperas has been made from it. The soil, 

 of course, partakes of the nature of the yoc\, which, it may be 

 observed, decomposes more rapidly than many others. This ridge 

 of land is remarkable for the ease and abundance with which the 

 Roxbury Russet apple is grown upon it, and also for the size, fair- 

 ness and excellence of the fruit. I was informed that although 

 the trees were not often overloaded, they bore well and regularly, 

 every year, so that, taking a series of years, more bushels were 

 obtained of this Russet, than could be from the Baldwin or from 

 any other sort. Large orchards are there to be found consisting 

 almost entirely of this variety, which, as may well be supposed 

 under the circumstances, is found to be the most profitable for ex- 

 tensive culture. 



On either side, and even within a short distance of this ridge 

 overlying the copperas rock, it is not so, and other varieties are 

 more productive and profitable than the Russet. Cases so clearly 

 marked, and distinctly defined, as the above, arc not frequent, but 

 something like it is by no means uticommon in many sections, and 

 a study of the facts, in any given location, before deciding what 

 sorts to grow most extensively, will be likely to lead to important 

 and valuable results. 



The circular before referred to, as having been sent to orchardists 

 in various parts of the State, contained several inquiries as to the 

 best apples for quality and for profit. In response to one as to 

 the two best summer or early apples. Bell's Early was recommend- 

 ed by the largest nupiber. This is doubtless owing in part to the 

 fact that it has been more widely disseminated than any other as 

 g(?od. Next to this, and with nearly as many voices for them, are 

 the Red Astrachan and Early Sweet Bough, each having an equal 

 number, and Williams' Favorite had nearly as many. Next to this,* 

 Early Harvest, then High Top Sweet, and then a few for Summer 



