THE SECRETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 175 



cess may be said to be specially due to its large, coarse leaves, which endure all 

 climates and seasons through a wide range of country. The failure of a large 

 number of grapes of excellent quality may be laid to the lack of a leaf with the 

 health and vigor of the Concord. In the case of the peach it was early found 

 that many sorts deemed of high value in European climates would hardly 

 answer here at all, especially the serrate varieties, which our cultivators, nota- 

 bly in the Mississippi valley, are generally forced to discard. 



We might extend this article by multiplying instances, but we will resist the 

 temptation. What we desire to do, and if we have done that we have done 

 enough for the present, is to call the more general attention of our readers to 

 the importance of thick leaves. Seek varieties that have strong leaves, and 

 strengthen weak-leaved varieties by manuring and high culture, which, judici- 

 ously applied, strengthens and fortifies foliage against weather changes and 

 insect attacks. — Rural New Yorker. 



WHAT VARIETIES OF FRUIT TREES TO PURCHASE. 



Tree agents are assiduously plying their vocation over the country, and the 

 epiestion comes to every purchaser, " What trees shall I buy? " Our first advice 

 is to trust the judgment of no soft-spoken agent who claims to know just exactly 

 the trees o you are dying to plant out ; and again do not buy at all until you have 

 carefully canvassed the matter, for the planting and care of an orchard are not 

 the matter of a year, but the mistakes of the outset, are to be felt for a genera- 

 tion or more. 



Apples, for instance, that were standard varieties a few years ago are dis- 

 carded now because not sufficiently hardy for our climate. In fact, the first 

 consideration in the selection of sorts is hardiness. No matter how good a 

 fruit may be, if it is not adapted to our climate and conditions it is worthless. In 

 this matter we can receive little or no assistance from the lists prepared never 

 so carefully in other States. The advice of old fruit-growers in our own State 

 is worth a great deal in making a decision as to wdiat is hardy. Again, a matter 

 not often thought of is the succession of fruit for the family. This, when the 

 family depends largely upon the orchard for a good part of the living, is a lead- 

 ing consideration, because if apples are desirable at all, they are good to have 

 continuously when wanted. Then it is important to possess the earliest ripen- 

 ing variety that grows in the State, and follow it with those that mature 

 successively until winter fruit comes into use, then to possess those winter sorts 

 that will supplement each other and carry the apple season around almost to 

 apples of the next year. In the choice of other fruits than the apple the same 

 principle is involved. In these we can not make them go the year around in 

 their fresh state, but we wish to lengthen the season to its utmost limits. 

 When the quality of the fruit, and tendency to bear well is added to the items 

 already mentioned, there is a good basis upon which to found a decision. 



C. W. G. 



