VINEGAR FROM WINDFALL APPLES. 



363 



careful observation, we have certain data 

 which enables us to know ust what varieties 

 to plant in order that the pollen from one 

 may be ripe at the same time as the pistil of 

 another. It also gives us an idea of the or- 

 der in which to plant, so that the greatest 

 amount of pollen may be transferred in the 

 most simple manner, namely, by the wind. 

 For instance, by consulting our record, we 

 find that Spy, which by many is considered 

 one of our best winter apples, is in full 

 bloom at the same time as Ben Davis and 

 Princess Louise,- and but one day later than 

 many other varieties. Now, if one desires 

 to plant Spy he would in so far as the date 

 of blooming is concerned, be safe in mixing 

 with them a few Ben Davis or some variety 

 blooming about the same time. Any num- 

 ber of desirable combinations may be 

 worked out to suit each individual planter's 

 conditions. 



In regard to those varieties which have 

 proven themselves to be self-fertile it would 

 probably be safe to plant them singly. It 

 is, however, seldom advisable to plant ex- 

 clusively with one variety. Mixing of the 

 varieties which we wish to grow will give 

 us more certain results in every case, even 



though some of them rank as self-fertile. 

 The reason for the necessity for mixing 

 self-fertile varieties is that a variety which 

 proves to be self- fertile in one place may 

 prove self-sterile in another, and under dif- 

 ferent management, as is the case with the 

 Kieflfer pear in many parts of the United 

 States. 



Growers are often prone to condemn a 

 variety because it produces no fruit, even 

 though the tree rhay blossom profusely. In 

 such cases it would be well to ascertain 

 whether this so-called sterility is due to de- 

 fective pistils, lack of vigor, lack of pollen, 

 self-sterility, or lack of mutual affinity be- 

 tween it and surrounding varieties, before 

 condemning it as unprofitable. If the 

 cause be defective pistils, which rarely hap- 

 pens, they may be right in condemning it. 

 If lack of pollen, let them try mixing with 

 a few trees of some variety which produces 

 pollen freely. If self-sterile, the last-men- 

 tioned remedy may tend to fruitfulness if 

 the mutual affinity be perfect. 



To insure the greatest number of fertile 

 blossoms in the orchard, it is just as neces- 

 sary to have the varieties intelligently mixed 

 as it is to prune, spray, or cultivate. 



VINEGAR FROM WINDFALL APPLES. 



^r^ HOSE windfall apples will make good 

 1 vinegar if gathered up and run 

 through a cider mill and then the juice thus 

 obtained allowed to ferment. The riper 

 the apples the stronger the vinegar they will 

 make. If the apples are very green a little 

 sugar added to the cider before fermenta- 

 tion sets in will improve the quality of the 

 vinegar very much. The cider should be 

 placed in wooden or earthen vessels and set 

 in the sun until fermentation has run its 

 course. It then can be stored in the cellar 

 or other convenient place for use. 



Windfall apples in the Experiment Sta- 

 tion orchard at Stillwater, Oklaa., were 

 gathered July 31 and made into cider. 

 These apples made an average of 2^ gal- 

 lons of cider to the bushel. In thirty days 

 the cider had finished fermentation and was 

 a vinegar of fair quality. Pipe peaches 

 were gathered on the same date and the 

 juice pressed from them and placed in jars 

 for fermenting. In thirty days this was a 

 vinegar of a better quality than could be 

 found on the local market. — American Gar- 

 deninsr. 



