Importance and History of the Apple Industry 21 



grown in that region as early as 1650, and that numerous 

 plantings there and elsewhere had been made by 1700. 

 Among the early varieties mentioned were Pearmain, Rus- 

 setin, Long Apple and Kreton Pippins. 



The two leading apple regions in New York State, the 

 Hudson Valley and western New York or Lake Shore 

 region, were recognized in the early development of the 

 apple industry in New York. It appears in the early 

 history of the Dutch settlements in the Hudson Valley that 

 apple trees were planted near Kinderhook not long after 

 1700. Plantings also occurred in Long Island at about 

 the same date. 



Pioneers report apple plantings in western New York as 

 early as 1750. It must be remembered that this region 

 was in a much more primitive state of development at this 

 time than the New England and Hudson Valley sections. 

 Legendary history suggests that apple seeds preceded the 

 progress of civilization into western New York and, falling 

 into the hands of Indian tribes, notably the Senecas and 

 Cayugas, were scattered throughout this part of the state. 

 General Sullivan is reported to have found bearing apple 

 trees laden with fruit near Seneca Lake as early as 1779. 



It must not be thought that these early plantings were of 

 commercial importance. They were isolated, small in ex- 

 tent, but nevertheless represented interesting landmarks in 

 the development of apple-culture in this country. Com- 

 mercial apple-growing in New York really dates back to 

 about 1860. Prior to this time A. J. Downing, who was 

 born in 1802 and later conducted a nursery at Newburgh, 

 had been a very important and influencing factor in the 

 development of the apple industry in the Hudson Valley 

 region. A. J. Downing died in 1852 after having pub- 



