36 MASSACHUSETTS HOTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



has few superiors ; besides that, the tree is hardy and vigorous. It has been 

 fruited as far north as the Crawford Farm, near the Crawford's Notch. 

 This apple was introduced in this vicinity, in the fall of 1854, by Mr. Daniel 

 T. Curtis, who exhibited specimens of it that year, at the Annual Exhibition 

 of the Society, where they were greatly admired ; and in the spring of 1855, 

 more than one hundred trees of the variety were sold by Mr. Curtis. It 

 promises to be an excellent market fruit. Another apple, that it is believed 

 will prove worthy of a general and extended cultivation, is the Northern Spy, 

 a well known variety, and universally acknowledged to be of great excel- 

 lence. When first introduced, it was feared that this apple might not succeed 

 in this State, but thus far, any misgivings felt, do not seem to be confirmed 

 by results of the attempts at its cultivation. The tree seems hardy and 

 vigorous, and specimens of its fruit have been exhibited fully equalling in 

 size and beauty any brought from New York. The tree grows very thick 

 in the top, and needs much thinning of the branches. 



Late last spring, some specimens of the Red Russet were exhibited, that 

 were perfectly sound, as crisp, juicy and high flavored as they could have 

 been at any period of the season. The tree of this variety is hardy and 

 vigorous, and, for those who wish a very late keeping apple, it is thought 

 to be a desirable kind ; it comes from Hampton, New Hampshire, where it 

 originated. 



An assertion, before made on a like occasion, is here repeated, that in 

 giving an account of a new fruit, including sometimes an estimate of its 

 quality, it is not intended by so doing to express any opinion as to its merit ; 

 that is, any decided positive opinion, but on the contrary to expressly re- 

 frain from so doing. A conclusion arrived at from a first trial of a new 

 fruit, could be but little relied on, and of but little value. All that is 

 meant, by such estimate, is to give the impression produced by a single 

 trial, an impression that might become fixed by further examination, but 

 that, also, might very probably be essentially modified, perhaps wholly 

 changed. It would be a very hasty proceeding to form a decided opinion 

 with respect to a new fruit, that is, its adaptation to general cultivation, from 

 one or even two or" three examinations of it ; depending, as this adaptation 

 does, not only on the quality of the fruit, but on the properties of the tree, 

 as vigor, hardiness and other properties, all of which can only be ascertained 

 by a thorough trial, and frequently by a somewhat protracted experience. 

 With some fruits, as, for instance, seedling pears in their first years of pro- 

 duction, it is impossible to arrive at correct conclusions as to their ultimate 

 value, in any other mode than by a long trial, for such frequently change 

 materially, in these first years of bearing, sometimes with age improving, 

 frequently enlarging in size, and occasionally altering their period of matu- 

 rity. Now, a judgment formed under circumstances exposed to such contin- 

 gencies would be of no value, and should not be promulgated. It is doubt- 

 less a fact, within the recollection of every one who has been engaged ^n 



