BEST APPLES FOR THE CLIMATE OF BOSTON. 



47 



old celebrated Mount Airy, and many of the old family seats of the Tayloes, the 

 Carters, the Bernards, &c., so distinguished for their ample dimensions, the 

 elegance of their hospitality, and the completeness of all their appointments. 

 How large must have been the fortunes, how sterling the virtues, of those who 

 have transmitted affluence and good names, even to the third and fourth genera- 

 lions ! Education, sagacity, honorable prudence and attention to modern improve- 

 ments in Agriculture, have, however, done much to resist in this region, among 

 some families, the effect of often recurring division and subdivision of estates. 

 Much is it to be desired that such conservative influences were of more universal 

 prevalence. Omoo. 



THE SIX BEST APPLES FOR THE CLIIVIATE OF BOSTON. 



The following remarks are made by B. V. French, and we take them from Downing's Hor- 

 ticulturist. The Editor says the writer " is acknowledged to be the best cultivator of the Apple 

 in the neighborhood of Boston. The selection he recommends is based entirely on his own prac- 

 tical observations : and we believe he cultivates in the orchards on his estate at Braintree, a 

 larger collection than any amateur in Massachusetts." 



To a person whose grounds are limited, and who must, of course, restrict his variety accord- 

 ingly, it is important that he should ma<le his choice understandingly and most advantageously. 

 It may be that the best six varieties in the vicinity of Boston may not prove the very best in that 

 of Philadelphia. [Farmer's Cabinet. 



In recommending the si.x: best apples for 

 New-England culture, I must, of course, be 

 understood to be confined to this number of 

 trees. Where a hii-ger space and greater va- 

 riety is pennitted, several varieties of high 

 merit would certainly be added. In select- 

 ing so small a number, you will uuderstand 

 me to bear in mind such qualities of regular 

 productiveness, fair habit of growth and 

 adaptation to our climate, as make a given 

 variety a constant favorite with the cultivator, 



I have also kept in view a succession of 

 fruit for the table and kitchen, so as to serve 

 as a continual supply from Midsummer tdl 

 the succeeduig spring. 



1st. Early Harvest. — For the best early 

 apple worth cultivating, I should name the 

 Early Harvest. The tree, with me, is a 

 free grower, healthy, a profuse bearer, and 

 the fruit liangs well. It ripens the last of 

 July. The fruit is of medium size, roundish, 

 rather flat, and if used when not quite ripe, 

 it is one of the most e.xcelleut for pies, tarts, 

 and cooking generally ; and when fully ri- 

 pened on I he trees it becomes of a fine, rich 

 yellow, and riuiks high as a table fruit. 



2d. The Porter. — In succession this excel- 

 lent fruit tiillows the Early Harvest ; it is also 

 a free growing tree, and a great bearer. The 

 fruit is conicakiblong, vellovv : the skin is 



at this season. It is in eatmg from the mid- 

 dle of October, and with care continues so 

 till Februaiy. The tree, with me, is small 

 in size, and a medium bearer ; the fruit is of 

 medium .size, flat ; the skin is red, smooth, 

 and takes a high pohsh ; the flesh is very 

 white, juicy and, I think, in flavor, e.xcels all 

 others for talile use, from the time the Porter 

 is gone till the Rhode Island Greening comes 

 into use. 



4th. The Rhode Island Greening. — The 

 tree is a strong, hardy and free grower, and 

 a great bearer. The fruit is flattened, of a 

 yellowish green, with a dull blush. The 

 flesh is tender, juicy, and of fine flavor for 

 cooking or the table. This fruit is in use 

 from September till February, and is fine for 

 the tiible in November and December. It is 

 too well known and esteemed to need any 

 description of mine, having a prominent place 

 in every good orchard. 



5th. White Seelcnofurther. — This excel- 

 lent iruit, I am informed, originated in the 

 garden of the late William Prince, Esq., of 

 Flushing. In point of fine flavor, it excels all 

 other a]>ples that I have eaten. The tree is 

 of medium growth, of a leaning habit, a full 

 bearer every other year. The tiuit is rather 

 oblung, greenish with dark spots ; and is not 

 a very fair or sightly fruit. Its .season is .lun- 



beautiluUy smooth and fair, and when fully ' nary imd February. Its flesh is very juicy. 



ripened in the sun, has a fine blush. It is ex- 

 cellent for the table or for cooking, and if 

 properly taken care of, will keep from the 

 time of its ripening, early ui September, till 

 the middle of October. The many good 

 qualities of this native fruit have made it one 

 of our greatest favorites. 



3d. Faracuse.* — I know of no apple to 

 take the place of the Fameuse for the table 



tender, and fine flavored. This vaiiety is not 

 much known in New-England ; in fact, I 

 know of but three bearing trees. 



(ith. lialdiciii. — This, our most popular 

 New-England apple. Is the universal favorite 

 ii.s a late whiter fi-uit. Its hardy, healthy 

 habit a.s a tree, and the heavy ami regulsir 

 crops it bears, together with its fine flavor, 

 render it Indispensable here in every orchard. 



Mr. Frk.sch has, we know, devoted his attention to fruits with a zeal equaled only by 

 his taste and intelligence. We look upon and feel l)ound to hold up such men as he and 



* Or Pomme de Neige, London Hort. Soc. Cnt., iind Downinq'e Fruit and Fruit Trees, 

 (95) 



