414 BOAED OF AGRICULTURE. 



facilities for meeting the demands of the coastwise trade, and 

 being nearer the foreign markets than any port having 

 equal facilities, and with railroads running through every 

 portion of the State, affording quick and cheap transporta- 

 tion. The difference in the cost of freight transportation, 

 owing to the balance of trade between different points and 

 other causes, is a matter of importance to the farmers. At 

 the present time growers can ship their fruit from Boston to 

 the London market at less cost than those whose orchards 

 are situated within forty miles of that city. 



The natural adaptability of our soil and climate to the 

 growth of the apple is shown in the fact that the most 

 desirable varieties have had their origin in this State. The 

 Hubbardston, Baldwin and Roxbury Russet are all natives 

 of Massachusetts, and with a limited number of Gravenstein 

 and Rhode Island Greening are all the varieties needed for 

 an orchard, however extensive. As nearly as can be ascer- 

 tained, more than four-fifths of all the apples exported are 

 Baldwins, and this, like most fruits, does best near the place 

 of its origin. In some portions of Maine and the Western 

 States, while fully appreciating its many good qualities, 

 they have been obliged to discontinue its cultivation, owing 

 to the ft'cquent loss of the trees during winter. With us 

 it is as hardy as the oak, a strong, vigorous grower, comes 

 early into bearing, and produces abundantly its bright red 

 fruit of good quality, and is excelled in its keeping quality 

 only by the Roxbury Russet. 



A mistake most farmers make who grow apples to any 

 extent is in growing too many varieties. With the whole- 

 sale dealers a few well-known kinds will sell in large quan- 

 tities at the highest prices, while a limited quantity having 

 only a local name and reputation will remain unsold or be 

 disposed of at reduced rates. 



The land best adapted to apple culture is not the most 

 desirable for ordinary farm products. The rocky hillsides, 

 if not too rough for cultivation, are more desirable than the 

 lower and more level surfaces, the inclination exposing 

 more surface to the light and air, and the fruit being less 

 liable to injury from late frosts in spring, while the rocky 

 formation below the surface furnishes constantly food for 



