FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 3G5 



TJie Wagener. 



This apple has had a run of poi)ularity in all ])arts of the State, nearly equal 

 to, and in sections surpassing that of the Baldwin. Although experience has 

 somewhat lessened the confidence of growers, it has characteristics of botli 

 fruit and tree, that will commend it to the attention of planters iu spite of its 

 defects. 



As a nursery tree it is unsurpassed in vigor and beauty ; and this is one rea- 

 son why it has been pushed into notice so persistently, often beyond its deserts. 

 Nursery men like to grow it, and men who go to the nursery and choose trees 

 by the eye are sure to buy it. 



In early productiveness there is nothing in all the list that -will compare with 

 it. It is only necessary to get it well established, and it begins to bear at once, 

 not a few specimens, but a full crop for the size of the tree. Even from 

 nursery rows of only three or four years' growth, the fruit will often pay for 

 the gathering. 



It will not hold like the Baldwin, but keeps fairly, and sells at about the 

 same price. It has a thin skin and tender flesh, consequently, like the Spy, it 

 requires careful handling, and like that variety, keeps better in open crates 

 than in tight barrels, where a large quantity is to be stored for the spring 

 market. 



For its early productiveness, however, which is one of its chief recommen- 

 dations, something has to be discounted from its ultimate value. 



The habit of bearing at an early age is so persistent that the trees become 

 permanently dwarfed, or so much so that at fifteen years, when the Baldwin 

 will be producing four or five barrels, or more, the Wagener will give only half 

 as much. And it is reasonable to suppose, and here we have not demonstrated 

 the fact from experience, that the longevity of the tree must be impaired. It 

 must be conceded also, that quite often a large proportion of the crops is de- 

 fective, and that it is rather inclined to fall prematurely. Still where a man 

 has no fruit, as in the newer parts of the State, it is no doubt the best of econ- 

 omy to plant it quite largely. 



Golden Russet. 



This sort, while not so generally successful as it is a hundred miles or so 

 north, has some claims to attention. The tree is as hardy apparently as the 

 crab-apple, and is more to be relied on for a partial crop in seasons of general 

 failure than any of the foregoing, except the Spy. 



The fruit is usually fair, but rather subject to the attacks of the apple worm ; 

 and it does not keep, grown here, as it does grown farther north. It sells well 

 late in the spring, when other sorts are out of market, but buyers do not call 

 for it in the fall as for some others. 



While it is probably one of the best for the latitude of Grand Traverse, it 

 cannot be recommended to be planted in the southern part of the State as 

 freelv as some other kinds. It is not as large as the Ivoxburv Russet, nor is it 

 as good a keeper. But the tree of the latter is tender here, while that of the 

 Golden Russet is hardy. All things considered, it is probably the most valua- 

 ble of the russet family for tlie west. 



There are a few other kinds that may perhaps, after further trial, be added 

 to this list, that are grown to some extent in this part of the State. Among 

 these I will mention the Jonathan. This is a beautiful apple, though rather 

 small. It is a good keeper, the tree a free bearer, and entirely hardy. 



