50 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



BEST AND ^lOST PROFITABLE APPLES FOR 



PISCATAQUIS COUNTY. 



Will E. Leland, East Sangerville. 



It is only until within a few years that apples have been 

 numerous enough in Piscataquis county to attract buyers. We 

 have learned that the older orchards contain far too many vari- 

 eties, making it necessary to take a smaller price for the fruit, 

 even though the quality is good, than we could command if 

 this were not the case. The question then of best and most 

 profitable varieties to retain becomes one of great importance,, 

 and the elimination of the others a task which we should not 

 neglect. 



We have a large and growing market in northern Maine. 

 One buyer shipped last season, from the B. & A. station at Dover 

 over I200 barrels into Aroostook county. The demand is for 

 large apples of good quality. They will have no Ben Davis,, 

 neither do they want the Fameuse. It is not large enough for 

 these hustling potato growers. 



One of the most profitable varieties in our experience is the 

 Rolfe, an apple that originated in Piscataquis county. At the 

 present time it is too well known to need special description: 

 but a short sketch of its early history may be of interest. It is- 

 supposed to be a seedling from the Blue Pearmain. The nur- 

 sery in which the seeds were planted was located in the town of 

 Abbot on the farm of a man known as "U^ncle Rolfe," who, 

 when the trees were large enough for transplanting gave a dozen 

 of them to the first settled minister in the town of Guilford. 

 This minister, the Rev. Thomas Macomber, lived near that part 

 of the town which is known at the present time as the "Centre.'^ 

 The twelve trees, it is said, nearly all produced food fruit but this 

 one, which is known as the Rolfe, was so far superior to the 

 others that when its fame became known it bothered the good 

 elder and his wife to secure enough for their own use. The 

 original tree being one of the first in the town of Guilford is now 

 dead. As a variety it is very productive and hardy. Its choice 

 quality and handsome appearance command the highest price. 

 We received the present season 62 i-2c per barrel more than 



