THE CULTURE OF THE APPLE. 103 



of these originated in Middlesex County, the Roxbury Rus- 

 set in Norfolk, and the Hubbardston in Worcester County. 

 Here is a fact worthy of note : that these varieties, that are so 

 popular in all the New England States, are the very leading 

 sorts throughout the far West, where millions of bushels are 

 grown every year. For a list of twelve sorts extending 

 through the seasons of summer, fall and winter, we would 

 recommend for summer. Red Astrachan, Williams, Sweet 

 Bough and Golden Sweet; for fall, Gravenstein, Porter, Pip- 

 pin and Hubbardston ; for winter, Rhode Island Greening, 

 Baldwin, Roxbury Russet and Tolman's Sweet. We might 

 extend this list, but we believe that the above covers all that 

 are Avorthy of growing for the market or home use. There 

 are several varieties of crab-apples that are very profitable 

 to grow. 



For the local market very early sorts are the best, but for 

 a distant market late sorts command the most remunerative 

 prices. Large, handsome red sorts sell more readily tlian 

 light- colored ones, which show the slightest bruise. For home 

 use the highest flavored should be chosen. As a rule, early 

 apples seldom retain long their flavor or beauty after being 

 picked. A word about keeping apples : they will keep better 

 if picked a little before they ripen, so as to fall from the stem 

 in autumn, and they should be kept in as cool a temperature 

 as possible, just above freezing-point, and subject to a little 

 variation. They will thus retain their flavor and form. Imme- 

 diately after gathering, spread in a dry, cool apartment, with 

 a free circulation of air. They should not be covered up or 

 headed up tight in boxes or barrels for two or three weeks 

 after being gathered, as they must sweat or throw off their 

 natural moisture to keep well. 



Fruit-culture, whether considered as a branch of profitable 

 industry, or as exercising a most beneficial influence upon the 

 health, habits and tastes of the people, becomes a great 

 national interest ; and whatever may assist in making it better 

 understood, more interesting and better adapted to the various 

 wants and circumstances of the community, cannot fail to pro- 

 mote the public good. And at the very head of fruits stands 

 the apple. When we consider its value as an article of food, 



