THE APPLE. 05 



to adorn their homes, should procure a few of the different varie- 

 ties. Some of the larger sorts are also useful, as well as ornamental, 

 being esteemed by many for preserving. They are generally early 

 bearers, and very prolific. 



SELECTION OF VARIETIES. 



There are very few individuals who do not, before planting au 

 orchard, seek the advice of some one as to what varieties they 

 should procure ; and many in this way are induced to plant trees 

 which are not worthy a place in any collection. It is a very diffi- 

 cult matter to procure just such trees, and those alone as will cer- 

 tainly be best adapted to the wants of the planter, and to the char- 

 acter of the soil in his particular locality. Trees that succeed well 

 in one kind of soil, are sometimes almost worthless in others; 

 while, again, others seem to -flourish almost equally well in all kinds 

 of soil. Of the one hundred and twenty-one varieties described in 

 the foregoing list, there is not perhaps one that has not been tested 

 and known to succeed in several localities distinct and remote from 

 each other ; and not one but may be regarded as valuable for a 

 specific use. Yet there are many degrees of excellence, and some 

 of these uses are much more important than others. 



The safest and best plan for the new beginner everywhere, is to 

 consult his own neighborhood in the choice of varieties. Let him 

 first carefully note the character and conditions of his own soil, and 

 then spend a day or two among his neighbors examining the 

 character of their soils ; looking a little, also, into their style of 

 planting, modes of culture, etc., and from these draw his conclu- 

 sions, Tf, on soils similar to his own, he finds that a given variety 

 has done well — tree bealtby and^thriving, and fruit abundant — let 

 him select that for his own planting, of course paying due regard 

 to quality of fruit. If another has failed, or produced poor results, 

 let him reject it. In this way, by the exercise of a sound judgment, 

 many expensive mistakes may be avoided. Other sorts may be 

 added to complete the list. 



A reliable and honest nurseryman — and none other should ever 

 be dealt with — can generally give important aid to the planter in the 

 selection of varieties, and frequently does to his great advantage. 



