THE BALDWIN APPLE. 



Baldwin. Thatcher's American Orchardist, p. 121. 



Pecker, 1 



Late Baldwin, > of some American Collections. 



Steele's Red Winter, } 



The Baldwm is the most populai' apple of New 

 England, and is cultivated to a much gi-eater ex- 

 tent than any other variety. Several lai'ge and 

 fine orchards are to be found in the vicinity of 

 Boston, some of which produce about one thou- 

 sand barrels of fruit every bearing year. For ex- 

 portation, it is much sought after; and the lai-ge 

 number of fifteen hundi'ed barrels have been sent 

 to the East Indies in one season. Considering 

 the hardiness, vigor, productiveness, and adapta- 

 tion to all soils, of the Baldwin, and its size, 

 beauty, long keeping and superior flavor, it must be ranked among the 

 veiy finest apples which this country has yet produced. 



The Baldwin originated in the town of Wilmington, in Middlesex Coun- 

 ty, about a century ago ; and the most correct account of it we have ever 

 read, appeared in the Magazine of Horticulture for 1835, (vol. i.) The 

 original tree grew on the farm of Mr. John Ball : this farm was situated 

 about three miles southeast of Lowell: Mr. Ball purchased the farm, 

 then wholly uncultivated, about the yeai' 1740, and, not long after, this 

 vaiiety came up in a lane leading from the house to the bam. Its cul- 

 tivation was confined to the immediate neighborhood for many years, 

 when the late Col. Baldwin, of Woburn, became acquainted with it. He 

 at once perceived its great excellence and brought it into notice, and fi-om 

 him it received its present name. In 1817, the original tree was ahve, 

 but, between that period and 1832, it disappeared. 



From Woburn, the cultivation of this apple extended to the adjoining 

 towns, and, in West Cambridge and Watertown, the orchards which were 

 planted were chiefly filled with Baldwins. From the period of its first 

 introduction to notice, it has continued to increase in popularity, and, at 

 the present time, notwithstanding the increase of new sorts, the variety 

 which is in the greatest demand with nm-serymen, as weU as that which 

 is the most sought after in the market, is the Baldwin. 



The Baldwin grows vigorously and forms a large and handsome head, 

 rather compact, unless judiciously pruned. It appears adapted to all 

 soils ; but that which suits it best, and in which the finest and highest- 

 colored specimens are produced, is a strong, rich loam. 



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