1890.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 27 



Question. How does the Oldenburgh compare with 

 that ? 



Mr. Augur. It is a handsome apple, but I do not 

 compare it at all with the Gravenstein in quality. There 

 is a most delicious aroma about the Gravenstein. Stewed 

 with a little sugar, it makes one of the finest desserts, and 

 one of the cheapest, too. It does not take very much 

 sugar, and I know of no fruit, unless it is the peach, that 

 compares with it for cooking. Where a man has room for 

 only one apple tree, I should recommend him to put in the 

 Gravenstein. In the Boston market, when the Porter, 

 which ripens about the same time, brings $1.25 a barrel, 

 the Gravenstein brings about $2.00. I think there is about 

 that difference. 



In regard to the Baldwin apple, a commission merchant 

 from New York was in my orchard this fall, and he com- 

 plimented me as having the best orchard of Baldwin apples 

 that he had seen. They were very highly colored, and he 

 made the remark that the Baldwin, other things being 

 equal, was valuable in proportion to its color; and I think 

 so too. A high-colored apple, whether it be a Baldwin or 

 a Northern Spy, is the apple for me. It has quality, as well 

 as being more merchantable. 



Question. Is there not considerable difference in Bald- 

 wins ? I mean different kinds ; some that redden up a good 

 deal more than others ? 



Mr. AuGUK. Well, I should not lay so much stress upon 

 that as upon the environment of the tree. People some- 

 times ask if there are not two or three kinds of Rhode 

 Island Greenings. Well, so far as that is concerned, I might 

 say there are twenty ; but I think it is owing to the circum- 

 stances and surroundings more than anything else, although 

 when we are grafting trees we like to select scions from the 

 very best trees. I think that is always in order, either with 

 apples or anything else. 



A word in regard to the planting of young orchards, — 

 for our old trees are disappearing, and, in order to have the 

 next generation supplied with fruit, we must plant orchards. 

 It seems to me that we should pay very much more atten- 

 tion to getting a fine quality of nursery stock. I am very 



