114 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



cliards by their care, industry and perseverance, it is no evi- 

 dence that another individual can, after transplanting the best 

 selected trees in good soil, accomplish the same without far- 

 ther effort on his part, — he may as well expect to grow a hun- 

 dred bushels of corn to the acre without any cultivation. 



But how painful it is to pass through a section of the coun- 

 try where good, thrifty trees have been transplanted in good 

 soil, and in a few years afterwards to see that grass and weeds 

 and the borer have taken possession of the field to such an ex- 

 tent that the money value of the trees is not as many dimes as 

 it should be dollars ; yet such is the fact, even in Worcester 

 and Middlesex counties. 



Every farmer, however limited his acres, should cultivate a 

 taste for growing fruit sufficient for his own family consump- 

 tion, and to accomplish the object he need not, unless he 

 pleases, set out more trees than there are months in the year. 

 For summer use we would recommend the Early Harvest 

 and Early Williams ; the Red Astrachan also begins to ripen 

 about the 20th of July, and continues to fall till Septemljer. 

 For fall apples, the Porter, Foundling and Gravenstein ; of this 

 class none supersedes the Foundling, especially for its long du- 

 ration ; the fruit begins to mature in August, and continues to 

 November. Although this variety is not spoken of in the fruit 

 books it may be thus descril)ed : 



Large, greenish yellow, ribbed mostly, covered with bright 

 red, calyx large, open in a narrow basin, flesh yellowish, quite 

 juicy and melting, a sprightly sub-acid flavor ; supposed to have 

 originated in Groton, Mass. ; known in Middlesex County by 

 the name of the River apple. Before these are all used, the 

 New York Pippin comes into use, a valuable fruit in November 

 and December. The Mother apple, excellent for family use, 

 large, red, flesh tender and melting, — November to January. 



For early winter use nothing supersedes the Hubbardston 

 Nonesuch, but it loses its flavor by long keeping ; the Bald- 

 win and Roxbury Russet are too well known to need mention ; 

 the latter, if proper care be taken, will keep till June. There 

 appears to be no variety to fill the space between the Russet 

 and Early Harvest except the Runnels. This variety originated 

 in Andover, Essex County ; the best recommendation it has, 

 however, is that it is fit for use when others are not to be found, 



