416 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



the sfround after being put in barrels. Market when the fruit is in 

 its best condition. 



[From H. A. Spragde, Charlotte, Washington County.] 



I would state that as 3"et a majorit}- of the farmers of this county 

 do not realize the importance of fruit culture, or rather apple culture, 

 for this appears to be the onl^' fruit, (except perhaps some of the 

 small fruit) , which has as 3'et been proved to be profitable here. 

 Our farmers are, however, graduall}- seeing the profits of the apple 

 crop, and more attention is being given to this branch of agriculture 

 each year. As 3'et Washington count3' does not produce apples 

 enough for home consumption, but I think the time is not far dis- 

 tant when she will have a surplus for export. 



I have but little to add to what I said two 3'ears ago in regard to 

 varieties tested in this vicinity*. Of the King Sweeting, I think I 

 ought to have said half-hardy, instead of hard3'. 



My Tolman's Stceets have borne ever3' year since commencing, 

 but bear heaviest in even 3'ears. 



Ben Davis continues to sell well alter Baldwins are out of the 

 market, and many people think the3' are good, when the3' have no 

 better ones to compare them with. 



Wealthy, I think, will be for this latitude what the Baldwin is fur- 

 ther south. 



Magog Redstreak, I think, will prove hard3', vigorous and pro- 

 ductive, but is not as good for eating or keeping as the Wealth3'. 



Scotfs Winter has a good flavor in spring, and I think will, 

 when well known, be more popular than Ben Davis. 



Alexander has not fruited with me yet, but is said to be profitable 

 b3' those who have it in bearing. 



The greatest draw-back to fruit culture in this count3' is insects ; 

 and the greatest cause of the multiplication of insects, is the destruc- 

 tion of birds and toads ; and the greatest destruction of birds and 

 toads is caused b3' summer tourists. The3' kill the birds for sport, 



or for taxidermic purposes, and both toads and frogs for pickerel 

 bait. 



