]^12 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



the ojround after being put in barrels. Market vvlien the fruit is in 

 its best condition. 



[From H. A. Spragde, Charlotte, Washington County.] 



I would state that as 3-et a majority of the farmers of this county 

 do not realize the importance of fruit culture, or rather apple culture, 

 for this appears to be the on!}' fruit, (except perhaps some of the 

 small fruit), which has as ^et been proved to be profitable here. 

 Our farmers are, however, graduall}' seeing the profits of the apple 

 crop, and more attention is being given to this branch of agriculture 

 each 3ear. As 3'et Washington county' does not produce apples 

 enough for home consumption, but I think the time is not far dis- 

 tant when she will have, a surplus for export. 



I have but little to add to what I said two years ago in regard to 

 varieties tested in this vicinity. Of the King Sweeting, I think I 

 ought to have said half-hard}', instead of hard}'. 



My Talman's Sweets have borne every year since commencing, 

 but bear heaviest in even ^-ears. 



Be7i Davis continues to sell well alter Baldwins are out of the 

 market, and man}- people think they are good, when they have no 

 better ones to compare them with. 



Wealthy, I think, will be for this latitude what the Baldwin is fur- 

 ther south. 



Magog Redstreak, I think, will prove hard}', vigorous and pro- 

 ductive, but is not as good for eating or keeping as the Wealthy. 



Scott's Winter has a good flavor in spring, and I think will, 

 when well known, be more popular than Ben Davis. 



Alexander has not fruited with me yet, but is said to be profitable 

 by those who have it in bearing. 



The greatest draw-back to fruit culture in this county is insects ; 

 and the greatest cause of the multiplication of insects, is the destruc- 

 tion of birds and toads ; and the greatest destruction of birds and 

 toads is caused by summer tourists. They kill the birds for sport, 



or for taxidermic purposes, and both toads and frogs for pickerel 

 bait. 



