(J4 



While all cii'ound me the canker worm has been busy, I 

 have as yet escaped, but luitil this year have had plenty of 

 caterpillars, but consider them of but little account and easily 

 managed when compared to the canker worm. I know of no 

 way to get rid of the borer or the latter worm when once 

 the}^ favor you with a call. 



Upon the question of pruning, I know there exists a variety 

 of opinions. I always prune when I see the need, without 

 regard to time of year, preferring to do so when the tree is 

 bare ; if done in the spring or summer, when the tree is full 

 of sap, very much care must be used to prevent the bark 

 from being injured. 



You ask what disposition I make of the wormy fruit that 

 drops. The most profitable use I can make of such apples is 

 to sell them to some neighbor who appreciates early made 

 cider. 



Of the five best varieties, for this part of the County at 

 least, I would name first the Gravenstein, then the Northern 

 'Spy, Baldwin, Roxbury and Hunt Russet. I am of the opin- 

 ion that Northern Essex is the most favorable section to be 

 found for the first named variety. I have visited many times 

 the exhibitions of the Mass. Horticultural Society, and very 

 many of the County exhibitions in various parts of the State, 

 also the State fairs of New Hampshire and Maine, and have 

 never seen so good specimens as are here grown. My trees 

 of this variety arc upon grafts say from six to ten years old, 

 put into vigorous trees, which bore profusely this year bush- 

 els of apples that Avould measure twelve inches in circumfer- 

 ence each. 



The Northern Spy, for a late apple, is my favorite. I had 

 been fearful this variety would be a fiiilure with us, and some 

 parties had begun to graft them over on account of their 

 slowness in coming into bearing, and the fruit rotting on the 

 trees, their ill shape, their lateness in putting out in the 

 spring ; but this year they have redeemed themselves, and 



