PROGRESS AT THE WEST. 



It might be stated that the fruit-crop at the West is a failure ; perhaps 

 more complete than any year within its present history. The apple-bloom 

 was light ; and south of 39°, as far as Vicksburg, the frost of April 4 de- 

 stroyed nearly all the fruit. North of 39°, the crops did not set well, appar- 

 ently for the want of fertilization ; and a large share of that which remained 

 has been ruined by the codling moth. Added to this, they are knobb}', and 

 generally small. We are realizing what President Wilder has so correctly 

 stated, " that the loss of the fruit-crop is a public calamity, equal to that of 

 the grain-crop." The curculio has made sad inroads into the peach-crop ; 

 and what do mature are less than the usual size, probably owing to the 

 long heated term. Plums cut no large figure at any time. The Early 

 May Cherry has a position in our market ; but, wiih the exception of the 

 north tier of counties in this State, this also proved a failure. 



The planting of large apple-orchards is being continued in all parts of 

 the State : twenty to twenty-four feet is the usual distance to plant. Apples 

 that carr\' well, such as the Winesap, Rawles's Janet, Willow Twig, Jona- 



VOL. IV. J3 257 



