136 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



Nonesuch might he profitahlj extended in this vicinity. The 

 samples shown were all good, and some were strikingly large 

 and handsome. As an eating apple it is almost unsurpassed, 

 and no kind sells more readily, or commands a higher price iii 

 the market. 



For " first early " apples, we believe the Red Astrachan and 

 Sweet Bough to be the best. Intermediate in flavor, and ripen- 

 ing at nearly the same time,'is the Primate, an apple much less 

 generally known and ciiltivated than it deserves. In the deli- 

 cacy of its flavor, and in the tender, almost melting character of 

 its flesh, it is not excelled Ijy any other fruit of its season. For 

 a succession we recommend the Gravenstein, Porter, and, where 

 one has the benefit of a deep, rich soil, the Williams' Favorite. 



For winter use the Baldwin, Greening- and Roxbury Russet 

 continue the standard varieties. No trees are more hardy, and 

 few, if any, return a greater average yield. Further than this, 

 no kinds are better known, or more esteemed, both at home and 

 abroad. They are good keepers, bear transportation well, and 

 for shi})ping purposes stand at present unrivalled. Were we to 

 set but a single tree, we should make our selection from these. 



We are gratified to note the increasing demand for sweet 

 apples. Plentiful and cheap as they now are, every family may 

 share generously in the healthful luxury. Among the kinds 

 most desirable will be found the Danvers' Winter Sweet, Tol- 

 man's Sweeting, Ladies' Sweeting, Lane Sweeting, Orange 

 Sweeting, and others, though we regret to add that so few of 

 these appeared among the dishes at the annual exhibition. 



The season has been a peculiar one. Notwithstanding the 

 almost entire absence of rain for twelve successive weeks, added 

 to the ordinary liabilities to injury from frost, insects or disease, 

 there appears to be no locality throughout the United States or 

 the Cunadas where the crop of apples is not only plentiful, but 

 even superabundant. In the remarkable season of 1862, wheu 

 the number of l)arrcls raised in Hinghara was estimated at ten 

 thousand, there was not only a demand for export, but no incon- 

 siderable portion of our surplus was required at home to meet 

 the want created by the partial or total failure in various parts 

 of tbe country. It is true that prices at the time were low, but 

 jnirchasers were not wanting and sales were easy. In striking 

 contrast with this state of things, we now find apples abundant 



