256 



SIX BEST APPLES FOR THE CLIMATE OF IJOSTON. 



country, all of which strongly point to the 

 freezing of the sap as the cause of the most 

 fatal kind of blight. 



Were the cause atmospheric, its effects 

 woidd always be see7i first at the points of the 

 shoots, the young leaves and the tenderest 

 sap vessels having the most direct connec- 

 tion with the atmosphere. Its first symp- 

 toms also would always develop themselves 

 in the growing season. 



Now it is well ascertained, that the first 

 symptoms of the frozen-sap blight are the 

 appearance of black and discolored patches 

 or spots on the bark of the limbs or trunk, 

 a long way from the extremities ; and also 

 that these are first seen in late autumn, win- 

 ter or early spring," while the tree is in a 

 dormant state, without leaves, and conse- 



quently least susceptible of atmospheric in- 

 fluences. A tree which matured and shed 

 its leaves, apparently in perfect health, will, 

 early in the spring, show these black and 

 dead patches, and that the branch or limb 

 on which they appear, will fall a prey to 

 the blight during the current season, may 

 then be predicted with certainty. 



While, therefore, we repeat our advice, to 

 prevent the injurious action of the frost and 

 sun by whitewashing pear trees, in locali- 

 ties where they are liable to suffer from 

 this form of blight, we by no means consi- 

 der this disease as thoroughly understood, 

 and would gladly gather from observers, in 

 all parts of the country, their own observa- 

 tions and facts as to the actual symptoms 

 of the disease itself. — Ed. 



The Six best Apples for the Climate of Boston. 

 BY B. V. FRENCH, BRAINTREE, MASS. 



[The remarks which follow are from the 

 pen of B. V. French, Esq., who is acknow- 

 ledged to be the best cultivator of the apple 

 in the neighborhood of Boston. The selec- 

 tion he recommends, is one based entirely 

 on his own practical observations ; and we 

 believe, he cultivates in the orchards on his 

 estate at Braintree, a larger collection than 

 any amateur in Massachusetts. — Ed.] 



In recommending the six best apples for 

 New-England culture, I must, of course, 

 be understood to be confined to this number 

 of trees. Where a larger space, and great- 

 er variety is permitted, several varieties of 

 high merit would certainly be added. In 

 selecting so small a number, you will un- 

 derstand me to bear in mind such qualities 

 of regular productiveness, fair habit of 



make a given variety a constant favorite 

 with the cultivator. 



I have also kept in view a succession of 

 fruit for the table and kitchen, so as to serve 

 as a continual supply from midsummer till 

 the succeeding spring. 



1st. Early Harvest. For the best early 

 apple worth cultivating, I should name the 

 Early Harvest. The tree, with me, is a 

 free grower, healthy, a profuse bearer, and 

 the fruit hangs well. It ripens the last of 

 July. The fruit is of medium size, round- 

 ish, rather flat, and if used when not quite 

 ripe, it is one of the most excellent for pies, 

 tarts, and cooking generally; and when 

 fully ripened on the trees, it becomes of a 

 fine rich yellow, and ranks high as a table 

 fruit. 



2d. The Porter. In succession this ex- 



growth, and adaptation to our climate, as ' cellent fruit follows the Early Harvest ; it 



