FRUIT-CULTURE. 87 



As to pruning, a little each year is the best ; thereby 

 avoiding the necessity of removing large branches, which 

 leave wounds that it takes years to heal over. As to time, 

 let the grower be guided by his own inclinations ; it is better 

 at any time of year than not to do it at all ; still, I am satisfied 

 that the last of May or early in June is a good time to perform 

 the operation. This, however, has a serious objection ; it is 

 the season when farmers are most busy, and can ill afford the 

 time to attend to it. 



Soon after the leaves of the blossoms have fallen, the fruit 

 commences to form and set on the tree. One after another 

 of the embryo fruit becomes crowded out and falls to the 

 ground ; this is continued from the time when the fruit first 

 commences to grow till the last apple is plucked from the 

 tree. A great deal of this imperfect fruit is fit for no purpose 

 whatever, and lies and decays on the ground where it falls ; 

 later in the season the fruit grows larger, and is gathered up 

 and fed to the cows or to hogs. Some benefit is claimed, 

 even if the flow of milk is not increased ; the cows seem to 

 have such a love for apples that they will not content them- 

 selves to feed until they have visited each tree within their 

 reach and secured every apple that the breeze may have 

 caused to fall. Hogs are also passionately fond of apples, 

 especially the sweet varieties, and have in some instances 

 been fed for weeks on little else, and still have thriven 

 well. 



The ten varieties which have proved themselves to be enti- 

 tled to the rank of best in Essex County are the Baldwin, 

 Rhode Island Greening, Hunt Russet, Gravenstein, Red 

 Astrachan, Hurlburt, Porter, Hubbardston Nonsuch, Danvers 

 Winter Sweet and Williams Favorite. These ten varieties 

 embrace those which have proved themselves the most prolific 

 and constant bearers, and whose fruit is the most sought for 

 by those who have to buy. There are, however, other kinds, 

 which might be added, that rank high, and which we would 

 scarcely be willing to omit ; yet we are constrained to say 

 that for profit our belief is that a few varieties of those kinds 

 which are most prolific and reliable, well cared for, would be 

 of far more profit to the owner than an increased number of 

 sorts. 



