THE APPLE. 



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10 to 15 per cent, the difference being in favour 

 of the more highly-coloured fruits. It some- 

 times happens, in fact, that fiuely- coloured 

 samples of an Apple that is of indifferent quality 

 will realize a better price than the duller fruits 

 of a superior variety. There is a limited de- 

 mand for the highest quality Apples, unless 

 they are recommended by other more evident 

 properties, or unless they are popular varieties. 

 For instance, Pibston Pippin and Blenheim 

 Pippin are so widely known as " names " that 

 in the shops it is common to see many other 

 Apples displayed under those titles. Cox's 

 Orange Pippin is also advancing rapidly in 

 popularity, and a few others of merit are 

 becoming known, but there are many excellent 

 dessert Apples grown in gardens that would 

 have but a poor chance in a market, as the 

 probable purchasers who knew their value 

 would be very few, 



The varieties of Apples for market must 

 combine many good qualities. They must be 

 hardy, healthy, prolific, and regular croppers; 

 the fruit should be large, or at least of medium 

 size, preferably even and handsome in form, 

 or brightly coloured. They should also be 

 either early, late and good keepers, or of 

 exceptional quality. 



In the list given in another part of this 

 chapter, some of the best proved varieties 

 possessing these qualities are included, and 

 their respective characters are indicated in the 

 descriptive list. 



From the review of the expenses attendant 

 upon Apple culture for market, it is evident 

 that all the qualities set out in our preliminary 

 remarks are essential to those who would com- 

 mand a chance of success. Notwithstanding 

 the outlay in starting and maintaining a planta- 

 tion of Apples for profitable purposes, there is 

 an ample chance of making the investment 

 a profitable one, as many have proved in the 

 face of numerous difficulties. But all the con- 

 ditions should be as favourable as experience 

 and judgment can ensure, and there must be 

 but one object in view — commercial success. 



It is difficult to gauge the actual average 

 returns from a plantation, because the results 

 depend upon a variety of causes, but where 

 Apples are the sole fruit crop, it is possible to 

 form an estimate that may be modified in 

 different cases. If dwarf trees are principally 

 relied upon, and about four hundred are planted 

 to the acre, crops ranging from one hundred 

 to five hundred bushels of fruits may be 

 secured when the trees are fully developed and 

 Vol. II. 



in their best condition. These would include 

 both cooking and dessert varieties, and at an 

 average price of 5s. per bushel would yield 

 from £25 to £100 per acre. Taking a series 

 of years, the returns might fairly be expected 

 to average £50 to £60 per acre, but examples 

 could be cited where this has been far exceeded 

 over a period of fifteen or twenty years. The 

 net profits will vary in proportion to the skill 

 exercised in the conduct of the business, but 

 they usually range from 10 to 30 per cent on 

 the receipts. 



Select Apples. 



There are probably 2000 varieties of Apples 

 in cultivation in the British Isles at the present 

 time, a large proportion of which have distinc- 

 tive names. Many of these are, however, 

 either worthless or so much like others in general 

 cultivation that they are seldom grown outside 

 the locality where they originated. To all en- 

 gaged in the commercial departments of horti- 

 culture, either as nurserymen or as market- 

 growers, it would be a great advantage if the 

 number of cultivated varieties could be materi- 

 ally reduced. There are few private gardens 

 where large collections are required so long as 

 a supply can be maintained throughout the 

 year. But wherever much interest is taken in 

 hardy fruits, it is a source of considerable satis- 

 faction to have a collection that will show some- 

 what of the wonderful range of variation in 

 form, colour, and flavour, which Apples present. 

 Experience differs also as well as taste, and 

 when certain varieties have been found to suc- 

 ceed better than others they are naturally in 

 demand; this, in fact, is one of the principal 

 reasons why so large a number of varieties 

 continue to be grown, and nurserymen find it 

 exceedingly difficult to reduce their stocks as 

 they might desire. 



Apart from the pleasure derivable from a 

 large collection of good Apples there is a sub- 

 stantial advantage also, because it is found 

 which varieties give the best and most constant 

 results, and these can be increased accordingly. 



The following list includes only those Apples 

 which have proved satisfactory either generally 

 or under some special conditions. The well- 

 proved recent varieties are also included, and 

 some of the older varieties which have been 

 superseded by later introductions have been 

 omitted. Old varieties of first - class quality 

 that still maintain their position are, however, 

 included, even though the fruits may be small 



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