330 The JlppU Orchard. 



ered as wholesome to the consumer, — and hence its real 

 value as a fruit. 



Having given a statement of the qualities of the apple, 

 I shall now endeavor to point out some inducements to the 

 culture of the apple orchard. The fruit for some years has 

 been abundantly plentiftd to supply every demand, and 

 surplus for exportation. This plentitude has in a measure 

 reduced the value in the eye of the purchaser ; but a scar- 

 city will soon bring its due value to the consumer. I think 

 there are reasons to show that the average produce of the 

 apple, at no very distant day, will not be equal to the demand 

 of the increasing population. In the first case, an increasing 

 population demands a greater supply of fruit; and, secondly, 

 it greatly decreases the product, by the rapid growth of 

 towns, villages and the like, where the apple tree is cut 

 down to give place to stores and dwellings, which is exem- 

 plified in almost every town, and apparent to every observer. 

 The constructing of rail-roads, canals and public thorough- 

 fares, also deter, in a measure, the formation of the apple 

 orchard in almost all parts of the country, which will be seen 

 by observation. Many trees are also cut down, owing to old 

 asre, and many for fire-wood and other purposes of domestic 

 use ; but few young trees are planted at the present day, to 

 fill up the deficiency of those decaying, and yearly dwindling 

 away, which, in time, must prove, that scarcity will be the 

 result in general, especially if the crops are light. 



Upon a careful examination of the principal apple orchards 

 now extant, it will be seen that the trees are mostly old and 

 past bearing. These orchards were probably planted some 

 sixty or one hundred years ago, at which time it appears 

 that it was customary for almost all householders to plant 

 this fruit about their premises for their use. As in most 

 cases, such plantations are found to consist of appropriate 

 varieties for such purposes. The increase of produce 

 obtained from these plantations havingbeen very productive, 

 has proved to be quite equivalent to the demand of the 

 public; and hence the neglect of new plantations in most 

 sections of the State. But old age and decay is now sweeping 

 away rapidly these once fruitful orchards. Such aged trees 

 are also liable to the casualties of decaying nature, and 

 suffer under many pending injuries, as insects, heat, cold, 

 &c., more than trees of the same variety, under the same 

 circumstances, in a young and thrifty state. 



It would be useless for me to treat, in this place, of the 

 culture of the apple, which is well known to every intel- 

 ligent person, and which will require a larger space than 

 could be admitted at this time in your Magazine; but should 

 this communication prove to be a correct statement, and 



