8 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1895. 



an energy and persistence which has amounted to enthusiasm. 

 The land is first highly fertilized for the orchard and the trees 

 well planted. After planting and while growing, the trees are 

 constantly kept mulched and the soil stirred up. Crops of 

 buckwheat and other cereals are sown and then ploughed under 

 as fertilizers. The trees are kept pruned as they grow, and as 

 they come into bearing condition they are looked after with un- 

 remitting attention. In the early spring the trunks are washed 

 with soaps, those of the older trees being scraped. 



The foliage is sprayed with kerosene emulsions and Paris 

 green. Search is made for borers ; and with the first blossoming 

 the pruner begins his work. The fruit is thinned as soon as 

 set ; and from the first putting out of the foliage until the fruit 

 matures, the orchard is visited with spade and pruning saw.' 



The result of this care was seen in fair, perfect fruit, and a 

 bright, healthy foliage. 



The apple growers of the valley claim, that for fine flavor 

 and in keeping qualities, their apples beat the world. The first 

 claim I think is not sustained by fjicts. 



A collection of choice samples was sent to the Massachusetts 

 Society a few years ago from the Association ; and that Society 

 reported, that while conceding them a first place in keeping 

 qualities, yet in flavor they were second to Massachusetts apples. 

 But it is certain that no apples sell better in the London market 

 than the Province apples. They command a higher price than 

 apples from the States. 



But few varieties are in general cultivation. Those found the 

 most profitable for cultivation are the Gravenstein, Ril)ston (an 

 English apple). King of Tompkins Co., Blenheim, Golden Rus- 

 set, Fallawater and Nonpareil. The Gravenstein is the general 

 favorite. Ask any apple grower to name five or more best 

 varieties for general cultivation, and his list will always begin 

 with the Gravenstein. The Nonpareil is a long keeper. It has 

 been shipped to London in the last of May in perfect condition 

 and sold there for over two pounds per barrel ; the same apples 

 have been taken to Paris and retailed at ten cents an apple. 

 The Nonpareil is a small, compact apple, and allowing say six 

 hundred apples to the barrel, it yields you $60. 



