414 



SELECT FRUITS FOR THE NORTH. 



second and third winters. This was occa- 

 sioned by early frost, preceded by very 

 warm weather, bursting the bark near the 

 ground, and turning the sap of the tree 

 brown. While the Shropshire, Summer 

 Harvey, Red Astrachan, Blue and Sweet 

 Pearmain, Latham, and some native varie- 

 ties, with the Crabs, stood unmolested. 



" On my alluvial soil, I have succeeded 

 but little better with the Baldwin. On the 

 hill land I have had but little trouble in 

 raising nearly all the desirable varieties of 

 the apple, pear, plum and cherry. But 

 while my trees have been killed the worst 

 in the valley, on my clay, and alluvial soil, 

 and near the river; others engaged in the 

 business, have succeeded the best on some 

 low ground, near some large pond or lake, 

 and that, too, sixty miles north of me. 

 Nearly all our valleys and low grounds in 

 New-Hampshire and Vermont, which are 

 contiguous to streams, are more unfavo- 

 rable for the raising of most kinds of 

 fruit and fruit trees, than are the hills, 

 while the banks of a lake or large pond 

 prove favorable. Such as Champlain, Mem- 

 phremagog, Winnipiseoge, and some large 

 ponds. Will you or some one give me 

 your views on what makes the difference ? 

 Were it the ocean, instead of ponds and 

 lakes, we should readily say it was the 

 humid atmosphere during winter. It has 

 proved to be a great object here, to select 

 our choicest native fruits for cultivation, 

 still there are many varieties, from a more 

 favored clime that are among our very best 

 fruits, after being acclimated, and some be- 

 fore ; such as the Early Harvest, Porter, 

 Baldwin, Northern Spy, 20 ounce apple, 

 Crier [?] Sweet, Gravenstein, &c., with 

 some pears, and nearly all the varieties of 

 plums. 



" The first Baldwins I raised here were 

 as green as grass, with not a tinge of red 



on them till March. Now, they are very 

 red, bear as well, are of a higher flavor, 

 keep a month or two longer, and are deci- 

 dedly a more valuable apple than in Mas- 

 sachusetts. The Northern Spy makes a 

 strong growth, and comes through the win- 

 ter well, and promises to make a most va- 

 luable variety for a northern climate. 



" As to your question, ' were I restricted 

 to three trees, what varieties would I select 

 for my location V I hardly know what to 

 say to you. Had you said twenty-five, it 

 would have been an easy task. But I will 

 answer it as it is. Still, I am conscious 

 that I shall not meet the views of every 

 fruit grower. 



"Apples. Three best — Shropshire, Sha- 

 ker's Pippin, and Baldwin. 



"For the six best — Early Harvest, Wil- 

 liams' Favorite, Porter, Shaker's Pippin, 

 Jewet's Red, and Baldwin. 



" For the twelve best — Early Harvest, 

 E. Sweet Bough, Summer Harvey, Porter, 

 Gravenstein, Jewet's Red, Dexter, Danver's 

 W. Sweet, R. I. Greening, Baldwin, Real 

 Nonesuch,* and Northern Spy. 



"For the extreme north, or unfavorable 

 locations, I would recommend the Red As- 

 trachan, Shropshire, Summer Harvey, Tay- 

 lor's Spice, Shakers' Pippin, Buel Sweet, 

 Pound Sweet, Sweet Pearmain, Blue Pear- 

 main, Morey's Melon Apple, Latham, Dex- 

 ter, Punch Bowl, and Latham Pippin, (late 

 keeping.) 



" In selecting the number of varieties, I 

 might add half as many more ; between 

 which and those named, there would be 

 but little choice. 



" In my selection, I have had reference 

 mainly to their superior value for extensive 

 cultivation, when considered in all their 

 habits. They are all great bearers. 



" As to ' how many sweet apple trees to 



* This is the " Canada Red" of western New- York. Ed. 



