AGRICULTURE AND ILL ITS VARIOUS KINDRED ARTS AND 



LATE APPLES. 



To the fruit-grower, the subject of late apples is 

 of much interest. We have no apples in the market ; 

 the old ones are gone, and the new only partially 

 grown. The first that we get from the south are 

 worthless, as they are picked green, and become pre- 

 maturely ripened on the way, or rather they begin 

 to grow soft as they are tending to decay. They 

 are worse than useless, producing diseases. Ripe 

 fruit is healthful, but green is destructive to health. 

 Dried apple is now used, but it is a poor substitute 

 for fresh apples, as to its palatableness, and some 

 suppose that it is not favorable to health. 



This is the season for small fruits, such as straw- 

 berries, cherries, gooseberries, currants ; but though 

 of the highest excellence, they are transient and un- 

 certain, from season or v/eather, and do not supply 

 the place of the apple, as a staple article for pies, 

 pudding?, &c. 



Any information on late apples will be acceptable. 



What is the best late apple? We name this subject 

 for consideration, hoping that it will claim more 

 attention, not with a view of giving definite informa- 

 tion, as we cannot do it without further experience ; 

 and there is not in the country a man who can an- 

 swer this question satisfactorily, for wc have several 

 late apples that have not been well tested as to 

 climate, bearing, fairness, &c. 



Baldwin. — This ai^ pie, which ranks higher than 

 any other as a winter apple in this section, combining 

 numerous excellent properties, generally begins to 

 fail about the first of March, growing mealy at the 

 core ; though it continues tolerably good a month or 

 two longer. And sometimes it sells the latter part 

 of May at five dollars per barrel, which is far more 

 than it is worth, as it has a fair appearance exter- 

 nally when its good properties are gone. 



RoxBUKY Russet. — This is the principal late apple 

 now cultivated in New England, also in some sec- 

 tions of the Middle and Western States ; yet it is 

 rather difficult to grow, and when well grown, the 

 quality is not very good, either for the table or 

 kitchen. It is only a moderate grower ; it requires 

 a very moLst, rich soil ; and in an unfavorable season, 



it is one of the most liable to fail, sometimes failing 

 totally when most other kinds succeed. As a dessert 

 apple, it is so dry that we seldom eat one, even when 

 no others can be obtained. After cooking this apple, 

 it remains firm and dry. Yet, owing to its keeping 

 later than other apples, it sells well late in spring 

 and in early summer, sometimes keeping till mid- 

 summer. Many who have cultivated this fruit on 

 dry soils, and some on medial soils, have aban- 

 doned it. 



Ladies' Sweeting. — This is one of the most beau- 

 tiful of apples, and for the dessert it has no superior. 

 For baking it is pretty good, but rather soft. It 

 promises to be the finest late sweeting, in climates 

 to which it is adapted. It originated in New York. 

 Only a few have been raised in New England, and 

 those indicate that it is 'well adapted to this part of 

 the country. It is now on trial in almost every part 

 of the fruit region. It keeps into May. We now 

 have a fine specimen, which C. Downing, Esq., of 

 Newburgh, N. Y., sent us last fall. The tree is a 

 tolerably good grower, and good bearer. 



Northern Spy. — The fame of this apple has 

 spread over the country, and the trees and scions 

 have been disseminated widely. It is large, hand- 

 some, excellent, and remarkably hardy; a good 

 grower and bearer. Tlie fruit keeps into summer. 

 In New York, where this fruit is grown, some culti- 

 vators say that high culture and close pruning are 

 necessary to bring the fruit up to a fair state ; others 

 sav that in this respect it is no more difficult to raise 

 than most other kinds. In fact, there has been a 

 difference in opinion between those who have trees 

 to sell, and those who have them not. Man is a 

 creature of circumstances. This fruit will doubtless 

 bear in several places in New England this season, 



Tewksisury Winter Blush is a beautiful apple, 

 of A'ery small size and ordinary quality, keeping into 

 summer. On account of its late keeping and beaiity, 

 it is raised in the state of New York, and exported 

 to England. 



Newtown Pippin. — This is a far-famed fruit, as 

 it is raised in some favorable locations in New York, 

 under high culture, and a few of the best selected 

 and sent to England, where it brings a great price. 



