82 Reinarks vpnn the State 



may say, in the West. From 55 to 60 varieties of apples 

 were shown — and forty-three new scedHng apples competed 

 for a premium. A branch of the R. I. Greening was ex- 

 hibited, two feet in length, bearing fifteen apples, weighing 

 12 lbs. 9 oz. I send you a brief account of the fair, enclos- 

 ed in some other papers. You will see a beet mentioned, 

 weighing 32 lbs. You will also see three seedling apples 

 named, and recommended for cultivation — Tariff] Red 

 Jacket, and Osceola : the first two, capital fall apples— the 

 last supposed to be a first-rate late winter apple. Those 

 which we have, are not yet ripe (Jan. 24), nor at all fit 

 for eating. The number of seedling apples in this State is 

 very great, and some of them, in the neighborhood in which 

 they grow, are esteemed more highly by the settlers, than 

 the old standard fruits. The soil and climate so modify 

 the flavor and other qualities of the apple, that there is 

 some reason for believing that an apple originating on any 

 given soil, will be better than many, which are introduced 

 into it : for though the apple is raised with great facility in 

 almost every soil — yet, it is probable that each variety af- 

 fects a particular one, and will refuse its most perfect qual- 

 ities to all except that one. Thus I perceive the most pop- 

 ular apples of New England, are natives — the R. I. Green- 

 ing, Hiibhardston Nonsnch, Roxbnry Rnssett, Baldivin, 

 Minister, &c. The choice apples of the middle states are 

 nativ^es of them : and to a very considerable extent this is 

 becoming true of the West. 



The annual meeting of our society is held during- the 

 winter, that the great number of citizens from abroad dur- 

 ing the sessions of our courts and legislature, may be 

 reached and interested in this subject. I shall send you 

 the reports, address and proceedings of our winter meeting, 

 so soon as they arc published. I omitted to mention that, 

 on selling the fruit last October, great competition arose for 

 the pears, and they sold at 12|, 25, and 50 cents apiece, 

 many of them. I obtained the only specimen of the Duch- 

 esse d'Angouleme (the first I believe which has ripened in 

 the State), for the moderate price of G2| cents. I am 

 afraid 1 should have doubled the bid rather than lost her 

 ladyship; and if all duchesses are of equal worth, com- 

 mend me to their society — I need not say that I was " some- 

 what filled" with her company. It was not a dear bargain 

 in the sequel, for the gentleman who raised it was so much 



