438 AXXCAT. REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



the Jaijan plums have been tried in some parts of the county with 

 very good success, being near market the early pears, such as Blood- 

 good, Catharine, Clapp's and Tyson are profilable. It has been 

 found that the elevated ground along the foothills of the mountain, 

 grow the best peaches, and the surest crops year after year. Varie- 

 ties of fruit are selected with a view to their market value. As all 

 kinds seem to succeed if properly cared for, small fruits of all 

 kinds, but especially strawberries, are grown in large quantities and 

 find ready sale in the Harrisburg, Carlisle, and Mechanicsburg mar- 

 kets. These are the three principal shipping points for the county. 

 While the soil in the valley is principally limestone clay, on the hills 

 we find a variety of saod, loam, shale and flint soil, all of which are 

 well suited to fruit culture. 



DAUPHIN COUNTY 



Contains a great deal of good fruit land along the banks of the Sus- 

 quehanna and on the elevated portions of all the valleys running 

 back from the river. The climate is mild, however, and apples ripen 

 early. Northern Spy ripens and must be sold in October. Baldwin 

 is in prime condition just before the holidays, York Imperial, Grime's 

 Golden and Strinetown Pippin have been successfully grown, and 

 are profitable winter sorts, when planted on moderately high land, 

 with deep open sub-soil. Peaches, pears, grapes and cherries flourish, 

 if planted on proper locations and judiciously cared for. Small 

 fruits have been grown in considerable quantities, but the industry 

 has not been as profitable of late as formerly, and in consequence, 

 the size of the plantations has been considerably reduced. 



DELAWARE COUNTY. 



Little attention has been paid to fruit culture for market. Al- 

 though all kinds of fruit do well if properly cared for, as is shown 

 by the character of fruit grown in the small orchards planted for 

 home use. Conestoga Seedling Cherry and Cumberland Seedling 

 have been found profitable. The Pyle apple originated and is grown 

 here. It is described as follows by Mr. Joseph H. Paschell, of Ward, 

 Delaware county: ''The Pyle apple originated in Thornburg, Dela- 

 ware Co., is very closely allied in characteristics to York Imperial, 

 but is a decided improvement, being better colored and smoother 

 shaped, bears better and sells better." Smokehouse seems to be the 

 leading market apple. Bartlett the leading pear. Elberta the most 

 profitable peach. 



