u 



The Western Pomologist and Gardener. 



1872 



When the trees had attained to bearing size one was removed to the orchard one half 

 mile from the house. The second season after transplanting this tree bore four hundred 

 and thirty apples, which were piclted when of less than half size, as sneaking fruit-thieves 

 would surely take them if left on the tree. These immature apples showed a remarkable 

 disposition to ripen, coloring finely with a tolerably good flavor, and remained sound 

 throua:h September, though picked in Julj\ A year or two later the whole crop, 

 amounting to two barrels, was picked in Juiy and put in the cellar under lock and key. 

 During the next ten days I thought of my first store of fruit occasionally, but being busy, 

 an examination was deferred, until at length they were forgotten altogether. Three or 

 four weeks had passed when I was very much surprised to find every apple sound and of 

 most excellent quality. Some of these were sent by a friend to other friends in Connect- 

 icut, and though they were two weeks en route, reached them in good condition. 



Until within four or five years of the present time it was'my practice^topickmyBenoui 

 apples from the 1st to the 10th of August, and dispose of them as they ripened up to the 

 middle or last of September, and I realized about as much profit from three or four hun- 

 dred of these trees as from the rest of my orchard of several thousands. The last few 

 years I have left them to ripen mostly upon the trees, by which their general character for 

 size is much improved, but their keeping quality is greatly impaired by bruises received 

 in falling from the trees. It ripens in succession through a considerable period of time, 

 I should say from the 20th of July to the 1st of September, when left upon the tree, and 

 for profit, as a distant market fruit, it sliould be gathered by weekly pickings, commencing 

 the 20th of July, selecting each time such fruits as sliow indications of approaching matu- 

 rity. By this means the trees would be much relieved of the effects of over-bearing, and 

 might thus become annual bearers. A part of my trees bear one year and part the next, 

 though all were originally from one tree — although they are strictly alternate bearers, as 

 probably all trees must be that produce svich immense crops. 



If a Red June apple is picked when its exposed side is dull red and the shaded side 

 green, it will ripen in the house, but the red side will be dingy red and the other dead 

 green, and the flavor will be insipid, while if a Benoni is housed when dull stripes appear 

 on a green surface, it will ripen up with crimson stripes on golden yellow ground, and 

 with excellent flavor and juiciness, keeping thus without any tendency to become dry and 

 mealy. This quality of ripening perfectly in the house, like some of our best pears, 

 belongs, so far as I know, to no other summer apple ; and m connection with the fact 

 that when ripened on the tree it is surpassed by no other apple for the table or kitchen, 



