66 VARIETIES OP APPLE. 



prolific character of the tree, that it may safely be planted, in 

 limited quantity, for market ; for as it is not a long keeper, it is 

 not safe to attempt to handle a very large number of barrels, 



Baldwin. — Steele's Red Winter. — Woodpecker. — This very 

 popular variety originated in the State of Massachusetts, and is 

 ■weU deserving of the high estimation in which it is held. In 

 rich alluvial soils which are deficient in lime, the fruit is not as 

 jfinely colored, nor as high flavored, as in limestone soils, and is 

 subject to spots of bitter or dry rot ; and in such soils, especially 

 if there be a cold, wet subsoil, the tree suffers, becomes diseased, 

 and in cold winters is badly injured, and sometimes destroyed. 

 The tree is not sufficiently hardy to withstand well the cold of 

 our more severe latitudes ; yet in dry soils, abounding in lime, 

 it will withstand, unharmed, quite severe cold, as may be inferred 

 from the fact that it is successfully cultivated in the apple 

 region of Nova Scotia. In the Ottawa and St. Lawrence dis- 

 tricts of Ontario, the Baldwin is reported as tender, though it 

 succeeds in Frontenac and westward, through the greater part of 

 the Province. 



The tree is a vigorous, upright grower, forming a spreading 

 head, and exceedingly productive. The fruit is large, roundish, 

 but narrowing towards the eye, yellow in the shade, but nearly 

 covered with red in the sun. The flesh is yellowish white, crisp,, 

 sub-acid, ranking in quality as " very good." It ripens in De- 

 cember, but is usually in its best condition in March, and will 

 keep in a cool cellar until the middle of May. This is one of 

 the most profitable varieties for market with which we are 

 acquainted, when grown in favorable soil and climate. Com- 

 bining early fruiting mth great productiveness, good size, hand- 

 some appearance, very good flavor, and long keeping, with a 

 toughness of skin and firmness of texture which admit of being 

 handled and transported without injury, it stands in the front 

 rank of profitable varieties for the orchardig^. 



Benoni. — This apple also originated in the State of Massa- 

 chusetts, and is worthy of more attention than it seems to have 



