No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 727 



young trees may be grown. The nurserymen will charge you only 

 a small sum for the grafting and there is nothing diilicult about 

 growing the trees. This plan will bring certain results without 

 any anxiety of getting trees not true to name. Another plan is to 

 plant vigorous growers where the trees are to stand permanently, 

 and when well-established^ top-graft with scions from the most de- 

 sirable and profitable trees. Northern Spy is a vigorous grower 

 admirably adapted to form the stock. 



VARIETIES FOR THE COMMERCIAL ORCHARD. 



It is generally conceded that winter apples are more profitable 

 than summer or fall varieties. There is frequently an overpro- 

 duction of early ripening sorts, rendering it difficult to sell the fruit 

 at remunerative prices. Winter apples may be placed in storage and 

 held until prices are more satisfactory. 



It is not our purpose to furnish a list of apples which should be 

 planted in the commercial orchard. Each individual grower must 

 decide this matter for himself. Local conditions and markets have 

 much to do with the selection of varieties. The following points, 

 however, should be considered: The ideal winter apple should be 

 bright in color, at least medium in size, smooth, regular in form, 

 good in quality, texture fine, white flesh usually preferred, tender 

 and juicy. The fruit should hang well to the tree so that the per- 

 centage of windfalls will be small, and should keep well in storage. 

 The tree should be hardy, vigorous in growth, upright or spreading 

 in habit of growth, and bear large annual crops with a low percent- 

 age of small fruit. The ideal winter apxjle has not been found. 

 York Imperial and Baldwin are the most extensively grown in Penn- 

 sylvania. Other winter apples, which at the present time are re- 

 ceiving considerable attention b}^ commercial growers are, Rome 

 Beauty, Winesap, Stajman, Paragon, Oliver Red, Sutton, Stark, 

 York Stripe and a few older varieties as Northern Spy and Smith's 

 Cider. 



THE FAMILY ORCHARD. 



It is to be regretted that the family orchards of our State do not 

 receive the attention that they deserve. Many are disappearing 

 very rapidly because of old age and neglect and on many farms no 

 effort is made to start young trees. The number of trees on our 

 farms should be, at least," maintained for the pleasure and benefit of 

 whoever is to occupy the farms. It would be a splendid practice for 

 at least a few trees to be planted annually on every farm, particu- 

 larly in nooks and corners and along the roadsides. 



