REPORT ON APPLES. 



BY T. C. THURLOW. 



The exhibition of apples this year was unusually good, es- 

 pecially for such an unfavorable season — and we would heartily 

 congratulate the fruit growers of this county upon the interest 

 taken in this, the most important of all fruits, and for the skill 

 and care required to produce and exhibit so many, and so fine 

 specimens. Judging from the quality of apples seen at other 

 fairs, we expected a very meagre show at this, but were hap- 

 pily disappointed at finding it very nearly up to the average of 

 other years. For varieties we find nothing better than our 

 good old native sorts — of which the Baldwin stands at the 

 bead — and until we find something better, shall recommend 

 this as " the apple " for profit in this section of country, es- 

 pecially upon land of moderate fertility. Upon rich loam or' 

 clay soils the Roxbury Russet often does well, but even on such 

 land the Baldwin would pay the best. The Hubbardston Non- 

 such (another native,) on warm land, with good cultivation, 

 generally does well, and is an excellent paying fruit. The 

 Gravenstein (a foreign fruit) adapts itself remarkably well to 

 our location, and we believe on good land with liigh cultivation^ 

 can be made as profitable as any other variety ; its excellent 

 quality and fine appearance will always find it a ready market, 

 and where best known is getting more popular every year. 

 There are other excellent varieties of apples, both foreign and 

 native, some of which under certain circumstances may be more 

 profitable than any of these ; also a large number of kinds 

 which may be desirable in an amateur collection, or for dessert 

 or table use — but we would earnestly urge the farmers of Essex 

 County to the growing of apples as a specialty, and in doing so 

 to plant only a very few of the best known market varieties. We 

 are thus emphatic in our appeals, knowing that farmers as well 

 as those who own small gardens, are too apt to be over per- 

 suaded to buy trees with high sounding names, or from seeing 

 overdrawn pictures in plate-books. 



