53 



when iu their web, as soon as they make their appearance on 

 the tree. I do not believe in too close pruning ; would prune 

 about the first of June, as the wounds heal better at that time. 

 My wormy apples are fed to cows and pigs ; when the apples 

 are lit, into cider. 



I should say Early Bough, Red Astrachan, Hubbardston 

 Nonsuch, Gravenstein, Hurlburt, Minister, Ladies' Sweeting, 

 Baldwin, Northern Spy, Roxbury Russet, and Hunt Russet, 

 are the most profitable in this County. The best for the ta- 

 ble are Early Bough, William's Favorite, Hubbardston Non- 

 such, Gravenstein, and Minister. Early Bough is one of the 

 best sweet apples ; good, constant bearer. William's Favor- 

 ite is a splendid apple, but requires strong soil and high cul- 

 ture to perfect the fruit ; it is very apt to be wormy in some 

 locations ; it is a good bearer. Hubbardston, a fine apple, 

 and an extra good l)earei^ (with me liears every year) ; keeps 

 well ; I have seen apples of this variety as late as March. 

 Gravenstein, a very fine apple, good bearer, will sell as well 

 or better than most any other variety. Minister, a thin- 

 skinned, tender, acid apple, very nice when well ripened ; 

 an enormous bearer ; requires very careful handling ; will not 

 do to "hand-pick" ofl' the grass, as a great many have done 

 this year. The Northern Spy and Roxbury Russet are both 

 open to objections ; both require a strong, rich soil to get 

 fine fruit. A more juicy, better flavored apple than the 

 Northern Spy cannot, be found ; good for cooking as soon as 

 they are large enough, and will keep till June or July, with 

 a good fresh, brisk flavor. Roxbury Russet, apt to be small 

 and wormy on old trees ; still it is so well known that there 

 is no trouble to sell good ones at any time. Hunt Russet is 

 a great bearer ; fine, tender, apple, objected to by some as a 

 market apple on account of its size ; a fine apple to keep. 



