95 



From the above, and our own recollection, wagons were not 

 much used until about this time, 1812 or 1813. 



Tli^ Sawyer apple originated in Methuen, on the bank of 

 the Merrimack, and on the farm of the late Aaron Sawyer, 

 which gave name to the fruit, the origin of which will date 

 back probably as far as those above named. There was an 

 important and protracted trial at which we were present, be- 

 tween Mr. Sawyer and the Essex Company, about the value 

 of this tree, which was then in a decayed state j and would 

 have soon been likely to die a natural death* The Essex 

 Company, by building their dam at Lawrence, flowed the 

 land where the tree stood, and large damage was claimed for 

 its value. Many witnesses were called and much time was 

 consumed to prove the large amount of valuable apples it had 

 previously produced, and consequently the great value of the 

 tree. We have no doubt, from the amount of the award of 

 the referees, that it had considerable influence in their deci- 

 sion. The tree we suppose was unusually large, a prolific 

 bearer, and of superior autumn fruit. It now appears, from 

 those that were grafted from it within our knowledge, that 

 the fruit is depreciating like other varieties of about the 

 same age. 



The Runnels apple, or iron apple, as they are sometimes 

 called, were formerly prolific bearers, and were considered 

 profitable apples to cultivate. Their value consisted in their 

 late keeping and good cooking qualities, but not for the 

 table. 



We remember many years ftgo being on the farm of the 

 late John Barker, of North Andover, who was then known 

 to be famous for his late-keeping winter apples, and his care 

 of keeping and marketing them. 



A tree was pointed out to us of the Runnels variety, from 

 which it was said that he got fifty dollars for a one-horse load 

 carried to Boston. He carried twenty-five bushels, and sold 

 them for two dollars per bushel. Whether the tv\^enty-tive 

 bushels were all the tree produced, we were not informed. 



