314 WESTERN FRUIT BOOK. 



apples of the highest character are not large. The best 

 dessert fruits are of medium size, although many of the 

 large kinds are good for the table, and may be much pre- 

 ferred for the kitchen. 



From these hints, it will be inferred that it is important, 

 before setting out an orchard for profit, to determine the 

 character and extent of the demand to be supplied ; and 

 also, whether it be northern, eastern, or southern, or even 

 beyond the seas, since each wnll require a different selec- 

 tion of varieties. In all cases, it is safest to select very 

 few varieties^ and those the varieties that have 2:)roved suc- 

 cessful in your particular neighborhood — for it has long 

 since been observed, that the tinest fruit of one region 

 may become quite an inferior affair in another; nor can 

 any one determine this point, beyond a general guess, 

 without absolute observation or trial. A change from a 

 somewhat sterile soil to one of great fertility, is generally 

 followed by an increase of size, but often, also, by a greater 

 coarseness, in appearance at least. So remarkable is this, 

 that pomologists are often puzzled in recognizing fruits 

 produced in our region, although they maj^ bo perfectlj' 

 familiar with the same variety at home. 



There is one variety, so far as the trade has yet been 

 tested, which will pay well for transportation to the Eng- 

 lish market ; it is known there as The American Apple, and 

 here as the Newtown Pippin. Mr. Pell, and other orch- 

 ardists, have found it the best variety for shipping on a 

 long voyage, and others may safely rely upon their expe- 

 rience ; but in some sections the Newtown Pippin does 

 not succeed so as to be profitable. As a general rule, it is 

 claimed that this tree should have a rich calcareous loam, 

 but the subsoil should not be too tenacious and wet. 



The growing of apples as a food for stock has, w^ithin a 

 few years, attracted much attention among the most intel- 

 ligent agriculturists ; and pomologists have been engaged 



