REPORT 



AGRICULTURE OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK, 



PART III. 



CHAPTER I. 

 ON THE FRUITS OF THE STATE. 



1. General remarks on the adaptation of the climate of the state to the cultivation 

 of fruit. 2. Change of views in regard to the importance of fruit. 3. Observa- 

 tions on the classification of varieties. 4. Scheme of the classification of apples. 



The climate of New-York is adapted to the cultivation of all fruits which may be grown 

 in a temperate zone. Beginning at Long-Island on the south, in a region where the finest 

 peaches and many other delicate fruits acquire their most perfect development and flavor, 

 and extending to the provincial line on the north which separates the State from Canada, 

 we have, within these limits, several grades of climate and temperature which are suited 

 to the most important varieties of fruit. The most important belt of country, however, 

 stretches from east to west, beginning at the western line of Massachusetts, and extending 

 to the Great lakes. This belt, which is more than thirty miles wide and but little less than 

 four hundred miles long, includes in its area the best climate in the world for apples, pears, 

 plums, peaches, cherries, and all the smaller fruits. The only exception which it seems 

 necessary to make, is that of the peach, which does not acquire a flavor and taste equal to 

 [Agricultural Report — Vol. hi.] 1 



