47 



on the end. The answer was that there is less superincumbent weight on the 

 fruit. Also the air circulates more freely among the barrels, and so keeps them 

 cooler. M. I. Wheeler of Great Barrington. asked if the apples must go through 

 a sweating process before packing. "They will not have any sweating process," 

 replied Captain Moore, "If they are put up properly and cool." The sweating 

 process is the preliminary of decay. If picked warm wait until they are cool and 

 then head them up snugly, crowding the top layer down about an inch, which 

 helps keep the apples in place, and keeps them from jarring about in the barrel. 

 Put them at once in the cellar, as they will be less liable to changes of heat aud 

 cold. Massachusetts is one of the best states for raising apples for exportation. 

 They are better flavor and keep better than New York or Michigan apples. Most 

 of the best varieties we have are natives of Massachusetts. The "Porter" 

 originated in Sherburne, the "Sutton" in Sutton, "Hunt's Russett" in 

 Concord, " Eoxbury Russett " in Boston, " Danver's White Sweeting" in Dan- 

 vers. "Holden's Pippin" and "Mother Apple" in Worcester County, besides 

 the "Baldwin," "Foundling," " Hubbardson None Such," and "Palmer Green- 

 ing," which he considered the peer of the " Newtown Pippin." These comprise 

 about all the best apples. Those apples that originated on a cold soil will 

 grow on any soil, but those originating on warm soil won't thrive on cold soil. 

 The Baldwin is the best market apple in the Eastern part of the State and is the 

 best for export. The apple originated in a warm soil. Captain Moore wants 

 a better apple for himself than the Baldwin and never puts it in his cellar. 



Mr. Wheeler asked if there is not danger of mutilating the roots of trees of theh 

 detriment in plowing and cultivating the land. There will be no damage to the 

 tree, said Captain Moore, if plowing is done with care. It does no harm to break 

 off some of the small roots. There may be a soil in which trees will do well in 

 sod. Wood ashes and bone dust are the best fertilizers for some soils ; air 

 slacked lime never did Captain Moore's trees in sandy loam soil any good. 

 Apples raised on sandy loam are earlier and of better color than when raised on 

 clay loam ; strawberries are also better on sandy loam. The bearing year is 

 sometimes changed by very late frost, and sometimes by the canker worm. 



Pears require a soil with some clay in it for their best growth ; they want much 

 cultivation aud much manure. Peaches will not grow so well on soil rich enough 

 for pears. The standard pear tree is preferable to the dwarf. He does not know 

 a remedy for the blight, of which there are two kinds. The ten best pears for 

 family use aud for market are the following : For summer, Gifford and Clapp's ; 

 early fall, Bartlett, Sheldon, Seckle ; late fall, Cornice, Bosc, Dana's Hovey ; 

 winter, D'Anjou, Lawrence. Josephine de Molines. 



Capt. Moore has raised peaches for many years, as did his father before him. 

 Were it not for the yellows peach culture would be the best of all. A south-east 

 exposure somewhat protected is the best and the orchard should be on high land to 

 escape frost. The trees don't want much stable manure; give them potash salts and 

 ground bone. If too rapid growth they are apt to winter kill. Let the trees grow 

 moderately for two or three years, and don't over fertilize. They require a par- 

 ticular pruning. It is usual to cut off the branches eighteen inches from the 

 ground. It is not a good way. It is better to start the branches five feet from the 

 ground, letting several branches remain near together, with the main shoot cut 

 back to one foot, being particular to leave the leading bud on the outside of the 



