59 



As to pruning, a little each year is the best ; thereby avoid- 

 ing the necessity of removing large branches, which leave 

 wounds that it takes years to heal over. As to time, let the 

 grower be guided by his o^vu inclinations ; 'tis better at any 

 time of year than not to do it at all ; still I am satisfied that 

 the last of May or early in June is a good time to perform the 

 operation. This, however, has a serious objection ; it is the 

 season when farmers are most busy, and can ill afford the time 

 to attend to it. 



Soon after the leaves of the blossoms have fallen, the fruit 

 commences to form and set on the tree. One after another 

 of the embryo fruit becomes crowded out and falls to the 

 ground ; this is continued from the time when the fruit first 

 commences to grow till the last apple is plucked from the 

 tree. A great deal of this imperfect fruit is fit for no purpose 

 whatever, and lies and decays on the ground where it falls ; 

 later in the season the fruit grows larger, and is gathered up 

 and fed to the cows or to hogs. Some benefit is claimed, ev- 

 en if the flow of milk is not increased ; the cows seem to have 

 such a love for apples that they will not content themselves to 

 feed until they have visited each tree within their reach and 

 secured every apple that the breeze' may have caused to fall. 

 Hogs are also passionately fond of apples, especially the sweet 

 varieties, and have in some instances been fed for weeks on 

 little else, and still have thriven well. 



The ten varieties which have proved themselves to be enti- 

 tled to the rank of best in Essex County are the Baldwin, 

 Rhode Island Greening, Hunt Russet, Gravenstein, Red 

 Astrachan, Hurlburt, Porter, Hubbardston Nonsuch, Dan- 

 vers Winter Sweet, and William's Favorite. These ten vari- 

 eties embrace those which have proved themselves the most 

 prolific and constant bearers, and whose fruit is the most 

 sought for b}^ those who have to buy. There are, however, 

 other kinds, which might be added, that rank high, and which 

 we would scarcely be willing to omit ; yet we are constrained 



