28 APPLE. 



than in any part of the world. The most celebrated apples 

 of Germany and the North of Europe are not superior to 

 many of the varieties originated here ; and the American 

 or Newtown Pippin is now pretty generally admitted to 

 be the finest apple in the world. No better proof of the 

 perfect adaptation of our soil and climate to this tree can 

 be desired, than the seemingly spontaneous production of 

 such varieties as this, the Baldwin, the Spitzenburg, or the 

 Snaar, all fruits of delicious flavor and great beauty of 

 appearance." 



Though the apple will live in almost any soil and situation, 

 it thrives best in strong loamy soils, that are rather heavy 

 than light and sandy. Clayey loams, if well drained, are 

 favorable fruit soils. There are some exceptions to this soil ; 

 the Yellow Belle-Fleur is thought finer to be grown on a 

 sandy soil ; and, to quote the same excellent authority above 

 mentioned, " the Newtown Pippin will only arrive at per- 

 fection in a strong loam." But there are exceptions to all 

 rules ; and the distinguished author adds, " that calcareous 

 soils, of whatever texture, are better than soils of the same 

 quality where no limestone is present." 



Sandy soils, whose subsoil is also of too sandy a character, 

 are improved by top-dressing and manures. Top-dressings 

 of clay and heavy bog-earth, river-mud, and similar matters, 

 are recommended by the best cultivators as more lasting 

 manures, and calculated to work up a firmer, better soil, than 

 the common stable-manures. 



Every fruit garden, where the soil is not naturally good, 

 requires to be ploughed, or trenched two spades in depth ; 

 and it is better to do this one season beforehand, that is, 

 before setting out seedlings. 



The apple-tree has many enemies in the insect world, that 

 the cultivator must constantly watch, and endeavor to over- 

 reach. 



