14 INTRODUCTION. 



From notes made 1646-48 in an interleaved almanac belonging 

 to S. Danforth, then probably a resident of Cambridge, we find 

 the dates of gathering several varieties of apples, the Long apples, 

 Blackston's, 1 Tankerd, Kreton Pippin, Long Red apples, Russetin, 

 and Pearmaines. They were all ripe in August and September. 

 " Apricoks " were ripe July 20 ; and the u Great Pears," August 

 1 , though what variety ripening at that season could deserve the 

 name of " great " must be a puzzle to modern pomologists. 2 



The correspondence of John Winthrop, jun., shows that he, as 

 well as his father, was interested in the cultivation of fruit trees. 

 Edward Howes wrote, "From our new howse in Lincolnes Inn feilds 

 near Prince's Streete," the 18th of April, 1634, " As for the Quod- 

 ling apple slipps, I spake to Mr. Humfries once or twice about it and 

 he sa}*d he would see for some. I hope he will bring some ouer with 

 him, and yet I doubt it because it is soe forward in the yeare." 8 



George Fenwick of Saybrook, Conn., wrote, May 6, 1641, "I 

 haue receaued the trees yow sent me, for which I hartily thanke 

 yow. If I had any thing heare that could pleasure yow, yow 

 should frely command it. I am prettie well storred with chirrie 

 & peach trees, & did hope I had had a good nurserie of aples, of 

 the aples yow sent me last yeare, but the wormes have in a manner 

 distroyed them all as they came vp. I pray inforrne me if yow 

 know any way to preuent the like rnischiefe for the future." 4 



John Mason, writing from Saybrook, January 28, 1654, prayed 

 the governor to " forget not to prouide for the planting some trees 

 at spring." 5 March 5, 1656, he wrote to Mrs. Elizabeth Winthrop, 

 " I haue sent ten apple trees by Goodman Stolyon to your selfe. 

 I suppose they will, most of them, be planted in the north end of 

 your orchard. I would haue sent more if I had thought there were 

 a place to receiue them. I haue alsoe sent Thomas Bayley thirty 

 grafted trees, as hee desired mee. They are in Goodman Stolyon's 

 boate. I would entreat you to acquint him with it. Hee told mee 

 hee would put it to Mr. Winthrops account. They come to thirty 

 shillings." 6 



The fruit of an apple tree, which, together with an acre of land, 

 was given to the apostle Eliot by the Indians, was exhibited before 



1 Can this have been the " Yellow Sweeting " mentioned above as originated by William 

 Blackstone? 



* Savage's Winthrop, Vol. II. p. 332. Ibid., Vol. VH. p. 419. 

 3 Mass. Hist. Coll., Fourth Series, Vol. VI. p. 499. Ibid., p. 421. 



* Ibid., p. 368. 



