72 



Westfield. 



Good points : - 



1. Fine quality. 



2. Hardy. 



3. Productive. 



Bad points : — 



1. Poor color. 



2. Not good as a cooker. 



(15) Northern Spy. — The Spj is one of the few im- 

 portant commercial apples which Massachusetts cannot claim, 

 as it originated in I^ew York. It is one of mj sincere regrets 

 that the Spy does not succeed better in Massachusetts. There 

 are certain sections where it does admirably, particularly in 

 Franklin County, but as a rule it has the reputation of not 

 being a success with us. Whether it altogether deserves this 

 reputation is a question, but certainly we do not grow good 

 Spies in many sections. The tree is all that could be desired 

 in health and vigor, making a fine-shaped, large tree, and 

 living to a good old age, but it is very slow indeed in coming 

 into bearing, in this respect standing at the foot of the list of 

 reputable varieties. The fruit when well grown is about all 

 that could be desired, being a fine, bright, pinkish-red in 

 color, with a smooth, waxy skin, making an extremely attrac- 

 tive apple. The flesh is firm and crisp, but tender and juicy, 

 and has a flavor that no one will forget, once he has eaten a 

 well-grown, well-colored Spy. Both fruit and foliage are 

 decidedly subject to the attacks of the scab fungus where this 

 disease is prevalent, and its tender skin and flesh make care- 

 ful handling necessary. But, with all its faults, I should say 

 that in sections where it is known that the Spy succeeds it 

 ought to be put down as one of our leading varieties. In 

 other sections it had probably better be tried only on a small 

 scale ; but even here, unless it has been tried under favorable 

 conditions, with modem treatment as to spraying, etc., I be- 

 lieve it is worth experimenting with. 



Good points : — 



1. High quality. 



2. Fine appearance. \ 



3. Healthy, hardy tree. 



Northern Spy. 



Bad points : — 

 1.' Slow in coming into bearing. 

 2. Often does not succeed well. 



