Summer Meeting. 147 



four Porter, t^vo Alexander, two Wealthy, four Famuse, and two each of 

 Transcendent and Whitney Crabs. The Lowell and Porter, are fine 

 large apples, excellent bearers, stick well to the tree and are unexcelled 

 for drying purposes. The Alexander makes a fine show and is a good 

 cooker. The Wealthy is a very desirable eating apple. The Faniuse 

 is a prolific bearer and, with proper care will last for eating purpose until 

 Christmas. For winter and good keepers I would make about the fol- 

 lowing selection: Ten each, Ben Davis, Jonathan, and Willow Twig, 

 with about six each of Dominie and Yandevere Pippin. These are all 

 hardy, sure bearers, commence bearing young, and yield well. The 

 Yandevere might be said to be a little shy as a bearer, but its fine size and 

 most excellent cooking qualities and also for drying, makes it worthy 

 a place in a family orchard, for Mercer county. Stewed Yandevere 

 makes the very best sauce for table use, try it and you will have no use for 

 apple butter while the Yandevere holds out. The Dominie comes next 

 in order in this line. The Winesap and the Janeton, one of the leading- 

 apples of the county, are on the wane. Of late years they have not been 

 a success. A quarter of a century ago they ranked first in the county, 

 as an all purpose apple. They were sure bearers and good keepers, but 

 for the last few vears thev have not done well. Yet I would not hesitate 

 to plant a few of each in an orchard of one hundred trees, they may come 

 all right as the seasons change. The Jonathan is the apple for winter 

 eating, succeeding the Famuse, the Ben Davis and the Willow Twig- 

 are good bearers and excel as keepers. They stand head in all points 

 except quality, in this respect they fall far below all others, but when all 

 others are gone they fill a good place and are always in demand. The 

 Ben Davis is the all-purpose apple. 



The cherry is a desirable fruit for family use during its season, and 

 for canning for future use. I would plant from four to six Early May 

 for first use, with two or three English Morello to succeed them. Thev 

 are both sure bearers almost any season. Four or five Wild Goose 

 plums might be added for variety, but plums and pears have not proved 

 profitable for me. They are very good when you get them, but too much 

 a prey to insects and blight to be profitable. Neither is there any advan- 

 tage in giving much space to peach trees. A strawberry bed should be 

 on every farm. I have found the Crescent one that succeeds well and 



