APPLE ORCHARD SURVEY OF NIAGARA COUNTY. 283 



Hardy, healthy, vigorous and productive; wood rather long jointed; 

 leaves large, thick, leathery and downy, often double-lobed ; bunch 

 medium to large, 8 to 14 ounces in weight, compact and often shouldered ; 

 berry large, roundish to oval, uniform in size, with tough but thin 

 skin, pale green changing to yellow when fully ripe ; flesh soft, tender, 

 sweet and pleasant, and of good quality. This grape has attained a 

 permanent place as the leading white grape of Ohio, New Jersey and 

 New York, and is extensively planted in the grape districts of central 

 and western New York. 



Somerset apple. The Somerset is reported as having originated in the 

 town of Somerset. It was first brought to notice by 'C. L. Hoag of Lock- 

 port. Somerset is an early apple of sprightly flavor, and considered good 

 for family use. The fruit is somewhat below medium, roundish conical 

 in shape and of a deep golden-yellow color. The flesh is nearly white, 

 tender, juicy, with a rich aromatic flavor. The quality is very good. 

 The tree is upright and spreading in its growth. Somerset is especially 

 noted for its earliness. It is said to be very productive. 



Pomeroy English walnuts. These were introduced into Niagara 

 County in 1876. Norman Pomeroy brought several walnuts home with 

 him from the Centennial at Philadelphia and planted them in his garden 

 in Lockport. From these native-grown nuts he raised a number of 

 trees. Several varieties were obtained, and the best one "was named 

 by H. E. VanDeman the Pomeroy walnut. This variety has proved 

 hardy and productive, and each year the nuts are saved for nursery 

 plantings. A. C. Pomeroy is now in charge of the walnut nursery. 



THE OUTLOOK 



That this is encouraging, there is no question whatever. The pro- 

 gressive, prudent apple grower of Niagara County should be, and is, 

 prosperous. Notable examples of successes by men who engaged in the 

 business under exceedingly unfavorable circumstances are not rare. 

 When failure has occurred, it may usually be charged to one or all of 

 the following causes : lack of capital, enterprise or knowledge, and 

 extensive rather than intensive efforts. The bane of many beginners 

 is insufficiency of capital, but this is not so fatal as inadequate knowl- 

 edge. Then, many beginners develop too rapidly. A slow, steady growth 

 is much better than a rapid, unhealthy growth. Niagara County pos- 

 sesses substantial natural advantages for growing fine apples. Much 

 of the soil is admirably adapted, the climate is favorably tempered by 

 proximity to Lake Ontario. A large and growing market is near at hand, 

 while the transportation facilities are much better than the average. 



