76 ESSEX SOCIETY. 



to their final packing, which is then placed in sand, sawdust, 

 chaff, charcoal, dust or peat earth. In this country, we find the 

 practice of our most experienced growers, is to gather the fruit 

 by hand, and immediately place them in tight flour-barrels, 

 shaking them gently while packing, and then head them up 

 tight ; they are then placed in a cool, shady exposure, under a 

 shed exposed to the air, there to remain until it becomes cold, 

 freezing weather, when they are transferred to a cool and dry 

 cellar, placing the barrels on their sides, and keeping the cellar 

 dark. 



In making a selection of apples, we should, as far as is prac- 

 ticable, endeavor to fix upon those which are found to suit our 

 soil. We have heretofore remarked, that many kinds which 

 are good bearers when in strong and moist soils, for example, 

 the Pickman Pippin, Williams' Favorite, Blue Pearmain, Rox- 

 bury Russet, and Ribstone Pippin, are the reverse of this upon 

 our own soil, which is of a light sandy loam ; while the Bald- 

 win, Hubbardston Nonsuch, Yellow Bellflower, Dan vers Winter 

 Sweet, Minister and Fall Harvey, grow and bear well upon our 

 grounds. The Baldwin and Hubbardston Nonsuch, seem to be 

 at home in almost every variety of soil. 



In a report which was made to this society some years since, 

 we remarked that apples originating on any given soil, will be 

 generally better than most of those which are introduced into it ; 

 citing the Newtown Pippin, and Pennock's Red Winter, which 

 are first-rate at the south where they originated, but. when fruit- 

 ed in this locality, are found inferior to the Hubbardston Non- 

 such, Baldwin, and some others. A close observer at the West 

 (Rev. Mr. Beecher) has recently observed " that the soil and 

 climate so modify the flavor and other qualities of the apple, 

 that there is reason for believing that an apple originating on 

 any given soil, will be bet^r than many which are introduced 

 into it ; for though the apple is raised in almost every soil, yet it 

 is probable that each variety affects a particular one : thus I per- 

 ceive the most popular apples of New England are natives; this 

 to a considerable extent is true of the West." 



Among the best varieties of apples in Massachusetts are the 

 11 Minister," and the "Mother ;" they are of recent origin; the 



