THE BALDWIN APPLE. 



BALDWIN. Thatcher's American Orchardist, p. 121. 



> of some American Collections. 



PECKER, 



LATE BALDWIN, 



STEELE'S RED WINTER, 



THE Baldwin is the most popular apple of New 

 England, and is cultivated to a much greater ex- 

 tent than any other variety. Several large and 

 fine orchards are to be found in the vicinity of 

 Boston, some of which produce about one thou- 

 sand barrels of fruit every bearing year. For ex- 

 portation, it is much sought after; and the large 

 number of fifteen hundred barrels have been sent 

 to the East Indies in one season. Considering 

 the hardiness, vigor, productiveness, and adapta- 

 tion to all soils, of the Baldwin, and its size, 

 beauty, long keeping and superior flavor, it must be ranked among the 

 very finest apples which this country has yet produced. 



The Baldwin originated in the town of Wilmington, in Middlesex Coun- 

 ty, about a century ago ; and the most correct account of it we have ever 

 read, appeared in the Magazine of Horticulture for 1835, (vol. i.) The 

 original tree grew on the farm of Mr. John Ball : this farm was situated 

 about three miles southeast of Lowell: Mr. Ball purchased the farm, 

 then wholly uncultivated, about the year 1740, and, not long after, this 

 variety came up in a lane leading from the house to the barn. Its cul- 

 tivation was confined to the immediate neighborhood for many years, 

 when the late Col. Baldwin, of Woburn, became acquainted with it. He 

 at once perceived its great excellence and brought it into notice, and from 

 him it received its present name. In 1817, the original tree was alive, 

 but, between that period and 1832, it disappeared. 



From Woburn, the cultivation of this apple extended to the adjoining 

 towns, and, in West Cambridge and Watertown, the orchards which were 

 planted were chiefly filled with Baldwins. From the period of its first 

 introduction to notice, it has continued to increase in popularity, and, at 

 the present time, notwithstanding the increase of new sorts, the variety 

 which is in the greatest demand with nurserymen, as well as that which 

 is the most sought after in the market, is the Baldwin. 



The Baldwin grows vigorously and forms a large and handsome head, 

 rather compact, unless judiciously pruned. It appears adapted to all 

 soils ; but that which suits it best, and in which the finest and highest- 

 colored specimens are produced, is a strong, rich loam. 



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