15 



of the orchard because these latter varieties are not as gen- 

 erally efficient as the former. 



Third, the soils may not be suitable for the particular 

 varieties one wishes to set. This might or might not be an 

 important consideration. 



Turning now to a few specific varieties which seem to be 

 well adapted to most of our orchard sections in Massachu- 

 setts, we may suggest the following list: — 



Oldenburg. 



This is a Russian variety imported into this country about 

 1835 arid probably more generally grown, take the United 

 States as a whole, than any other variety with the possible 

 exception of the Ben Davis. The tree is very hardy, very 

 productive; comes into bearing early, often yielding fruit the 

 third or fourth year; is a vigorous grower while young, but 

 soon steadies down to a rather scant growth and therefore 

 never makes a large tree. It is a reliable cropper, often 

 yielding annual crops, but likely to be biennial, and is ex- 

 ceptionally healthy in the matter of foliage. 



The fruit of the Oldenburg is of good and uniform size, a 

 fine light yellow in color, striped more or less with red, but 

 is only fair in quality. Its season is the latter part of August 

 and early September, and it is usually a profitable variety on 

 account of its many other good characteristics and in spite of 

 the fact that it is not high in quality. 



Wealthy. 

 This variety was originated by Peter Gideon at Excelsior, 

 Minnesota, and is another variety that is very generally suc- 

 cessful. The tree is very hardy; a good grower while young, 

 but slowing down fairly rapidly and never making a large 

 tree. It comes into bearing early, frequently by four or five 

 years, and is extremely prolific. The fruit has a fine color, 

 being well covered with a handsome red, its quality is excel- 

 lent, and the fruit is very even in size and shape. It drops 

 badly, which necessitates picking over the trees at least twice 

 if the best results are to be secured. The fruit is of good size 

 when the trees are young, but is apt to run small as the 



