54 THE BOOK OF THE APPLE 



practically all care and labour bestowed on the culture 

 of the trees are really lost. There are many varieties 

 that are not worth growing, so that to expend years 

 of toil upon cultivating such would obviously be an 

 unsatisfactory task. It is essential, therefore, to grow 

 the best varieties of apples, and the best only, for there 

 is an ample choice of good kinds, and no necessity 

 whatever even in making a numerous selection to 

 include any worthless ones. We will first take the 

 dessert varieties. It is usually the object of the planter 

 to include in his collection those kinds that will provide 

 a supply of fruit over as long a period as possible. 

 For instance, he will choose very early, early, mid- 

 season, and late ones, so as to ensure an unbroken supply 

 of apples throughout the winter. In order to suit the 

 needs of both small and large planters, we shall give 

 lists for the guidance of each. 



It is advisable for the would-be fruit grower to 

 ascertain if, in his particular district, there are varieties 

 that succeed unusually well, for much useful infor- 

 mation may often be gleaned in this way. Should 

 it be found that certain kinds are uncommonly good, 

 then it would be unwise not to plant at least a few 

 trees of each of those particular ones. Occasionally 

 one comes across a very good local variety, that is 

 to say, one that is known only in a certain neigh- 

 bourhood, and does not appear in a general catalogue 

 of fruits, simply because it is restricted to a small 

 district. 



Ripe apples may be had even in July, although 

 they will not be very large. One cannot, however, 

 be too exacting at such an early season, for, no 

 matter how well fruits stored in the previous autumn 

 may have kept, there is always a certain brisk and 

 palatable flavour about fresh apples that makes them 

 more enjoyable, and one is therefore glad to be able 



