FRUIT-CULTURE. 83 



mired the old trees, but the young orchard I have ploughed, 

 manured and planted, as much as possible. I came here 

 about ten years ago, found the trees in grass land, growing 

 but very little. I ploughed it up, and have kept it ploughed 

 up since then. I cannot tell how the orchard was started. 

 The trees have grown finely, and bear well, an extra quality 

 of apple, mostly Baldwins. I have not been troubled by cau- 

 ker-worms, but have a few borers in old trees, and have had 

 an extra quantity of caterpillars this year, especially this fall. 

 I think the best way to get rid of them is to kill them, morn- 

 ing and evening, when in their web, as soon as they make their 

 appearance on the tree. I do not believe in too close prun- 

 ing ; would prune about the first of June, as the wounds heal 

 better at that time. My wormy apples are fed to cows and 

 pigs ; when the apples are fit they are made into cider. 



I should say Early Bough, Red Astrachan, Hubbardston 

 Nonsuch, Graveustein, Hurlburt, Minister, Ladies' Sweet- 

 ing, Baldwin, Northern Spy, Roxbury Russet and Hunt Rus- 

 set, are the most profitable in this county. The best for the 

 table are Early Bough, Williams Favorite, Hubbardston Non- 

 such, Graveustein and Minister. Early Bough is one of the 

 best sweet apples ; a good, constant bearer. Williams Favor- 

 ite is a splendid apple, but requires strong soil and high cult- 

 ure to perfect the fruit ; it is very apt to be wormy in some 

 locations ; it is a good bearer. Hubbardston is a fine apple, 

 and an extra good bearer (with me bears every year) ; keeps 

 well ; I have seen apples of this variety as late as March. 

 Gravenstein is a very fine apple, good bearer, will sell as well 

 or better than most any other variety. Minister is a thin- 

 skinned, tender, acid apple, very nice when well ripened ; 

 an enormous bearer : requires very careful handling ; will not 

 do to "hand-pick" off the grass, as a great many have done 

 this year. The Northern Spy and Roxbury Russet are both 

 open to objections ; both require a strong, rich soil to get 

 fine fruit. A more juicy, better flavored apple than the 

 Northern Spy cannot be found ; good for cooking as soon as 

 it is large enough, and will keep until June or July, with a 

 good, fresh, brisk flavor. Roxbury Russet is apt to be small 

 and wormy on old trees ; still it is so well known that there 

 is no trouble to sell good ones at any time. Hunt Russet is 



