24 FRUIT BOOK. 



Much difference of opinion exists in regard to 

 the necessity or advantage of sweating fruit previous 

 to its being packed. Some disapprove of the prac- 

 tice, and say that the flavor is thereby considerably 

 injured, and that the fruit does not keep so well ; 

 while others contend, and not without apparent 

 reason, that, by getting rid of a portion of moisture, 

 the fruit keeps better, and retains its natural flavor 

 uninjured. 



THE APPLE. 



Of all the fruit produced in our climate, com- 

 prising such an extensive variety, none is brought to 

 so great perfection and with so little trouble, as the 

 apple. The duration of the apple tree is supposed 

 by Knight to be two hundred years. The soil best 

 adapted for the apple, says Rogers, is that of a soft 

 loam, containing some sand ; a great depth is not 

 requisite, eighteen to twenty inches being quite 

 enough, provided it be on a dry sub-soil. If the 

 bottom soil is wet, the trees should be set shallow, 

 and the ground drained. Apple trees do not thrive 

 if the roots enter into a cold substratum. 



Autumnal planting we prefer in light soil, and 

 spring planting on those of a strong and wet nature. 

 In forming a collection of fruits, it has been justly 

 observed, that it is better to be contented with a 

 few good kinds, that produce well in most seasons, 

 than to plant those for the sake of variety, of which 

 perhaps a crop may be obtained once in three or 



