No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 731 



Notwithstanding the kicks and cuffs aimed at the Ben Davis, it is 

 probably to-day planted as largely as any variety, and this, perhaps, 

 upon the principle that it will stand more neglect in the orchard and 

 produce a red apple than for any merit as to quality. 



It is to be feared that York Imperial planting like Kieffer pear 

 planting will be overdone. This is not said to discourage the plant- 

 ing of this variety; but let it be emphasized that there are other 

 varieties as good, and in better demand, if the care is bestowed on 

 the tree that orchard trees deserve. To the inquiry. What varieties 

 do best? The following are named: Ben Davis, York Imperial, Smith's 

 Cider, Baldwin, Winesap, R. I. Greening, Northern Spy, Fallawater, 

 Red Astrachan, Maiden's Blush, Grime's Golden, Summer Rambo, 

 Stark, Delaware Winter, Gano, Duchess of Oldenburg, Hawley, 

 Smokehouse, Rome Beauty, Early Harvest, Rambo, Paradise, 

 Ladies' Sweeting. Hubbardston, Jeffries, Wealthy, Primate, Ewalt, 

 Belleflower, Major Nottingham, Nevvtown, York Stripe. No doubt 

 many varieties known only locally are omitted here, and if dissem- 

 inated would be very valuable. 



PEARS. 



There was a surplus of Kieffer pears. Of other varieties the yield 

 over the State was an average one. A few report a total failure. 



This fruit is mostly grown in a limited way, and for home use or 

 nearby markets. The varieties mentioned as doing best are Bart 

 lett. Clapp's Favorite, B. d'Anjou, Sheldon, Seckel, Lawrence. Duch- 

 ess, Howell and Kieffer. The last named should be at the top on 

 the score of doing best, producing the largest quantity of fruit. 

 The Clairgeau is hardly mentioned. This is a large showy pear, 

 about as good or better than Duchess, a thrifty grower and an earlj 

 and abundant bearer. 



PEACHES 



Taking the State over there was probably a half crop of this fruit. 

 In a number of localities the late ripening fruit was a failure, due 

 to a continued spell of wet weather wJiich caused the fruit to rot 

 on the trees. The "yellows'' continues to be the great obstacle to 

 peach culture. The inference from reports of correspondents is 

 that "yellows" is just about holding its own over the State; in- 

 creasing in some parts, while in others it is less prevalent. The 

 correspondents from Bedford, Bradford, Lawrence, Mercer and sev- 

 eral other counties don't know of this disease in their localities. 

 Some report trees dying from neglect, others report serious ravages 

 by the San Jose Scale. 



Feeding and cultivation are indispensable conditions to success- 

 ful peach culture. 



Mr. Day reports peaches a failure in his county, except for one 

 man, who was all right. He sprays and cultivates and has good 



