PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 203 



nn' pail, with a piece of sliinp,-lc, and put a little on each tree or shrub I 

 wish to protect, which 1 have- had to do for tli(> past seven years at the 

 time above named. 1 live on the open prairie, about two miles from timber, 

 and rabbits are plenty and have been ever since I have lived here." 



Apples — The Swaar. 



Mr. Richard Johnson, East Groveland, Living-.ston county, N. Y,, pre- 

 sented to the Club some specimens of Swaar Apple from Ins farm, to sliow 

 that tliis variety grown in that vicinity is one of the best apples on the 

 list. Its appearance, when fully ripe, seen at a little distance, much 

 resembles orang-es as they are frequently sold in this city, having a slight 

 greenish tinge, being of about the same size and color. Mr. Johnson con- 

 siders the Swaar better than the Northern Spy, Tompkins County King 

 or lialdwin, although the red color and large size of the latter make them 

 more saleable in this nuirket. As the Swaar does not take on its handsome 

 golden color until winter, it is not mucii in favor with apple growers in 

 autnuju. It keeps sound and good until March, and "with me," said Mr. 

 Johnson, "it is the best variety I have, and I have been a cultivator of 

 fruit since twelve years of age. It nuiy not suit all localities; it certainly 

 does mine. Livingston county is good for all kinds of fruit, tiiough pear 

 trees are subject to blight. The Baldwin apple does well and sells high. 

 My best early apple is the Sour Bougii. It is the size of the Swaar, yellow, 

 and ripens before the Harvest apple. The Fameuse is a good late autumn 

 apple. The Bailey, red color, is the best sweet npple. The Tallman i.s 

 excellent for winter. There are but few really e.xceiU-iit apples, and it is a 

 great mistake for farmers to try too large a variety. It is very important 

 to get about a dozen goods sorts. I have cultivated many that proved 

 Worthless." 



Dr. Ward. — These are words of wisdom which ought to be engraven 

 upon the minds of all farmers. Let them confiiie themselves to a few good 

 sorts, and not incumber the ground witli a great variety. ' A dozen sorts 

 surely are enough, divided between summer, autumn and Avinter. Here, 

 for instance, is this excellent apple, the Swaar, which, with a sweet apple, 

 would be all that a family could desire during its season. The same remark 

 is true regarding pears; a dozen sorts will make an assortment all-sufficient 

 for a family, and those which are most saleable will generally be found the 

 most satisfactory for family use. I press this idea of a small number of 

 sorts upon the minds of all who desire to plant fruit trees. Mr. Carpenter 

 said that this depends whether the fruit is to be grown for home comfort, 

 prcjfifable sale, or to test the value of various sorts. If a farmer depends 

 upon one sort oidy for market, his crop is liable to fail. In this vicinity, 

 this is particularly the case with Fall and "Winter pippins. We cannot 

 have all the excellencies in three or four sorts, and besides we are getting 

 new and improved varieties every year; witness the new pears, grapes, 

 currants, strawberries, &c., which have been developed within a few years. 

 It is important also in recommending apples that they should be described 

 by their right names. The one spoken of by Mr. Johnson as the Sour 

 Bough is undoubtedly the Yellow Harvest. 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter. — We arc progressing; I am in favor of growing 



