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ALBANY NURSERIES, Incorporated 
Fruit Department . 
APPLES. 
“The apple,’’ says Downing, “is the world renowned fruit of temperate 
climates.” Although not possessed of the richness and melting and delicious 
qualities of the pear or peach, yet from its adaption to a variety of soils, 
together with the long time through which many varieties can be kept in a 
fresh state, its various uses, and the profit accruing from its cultivation, as a 
market fruit, it must be regarded as holding the very first rank among fruits. 
There is no country in the world where it attains such perfection as it does in 
this, nor where its cultivation can be made more profitable; but the orchard- 
ist is at a loss to say what varieties to plant, knowing as he does, that a great 
error may be committed in selecting sorts that will do well. First, he wants 
those that bear well; secondly, a fruit of handsome appearance; and thirdly, 
one that will carry well to market. These qualifications are necessary to a 
profitable market fruit. 
The following very pertinent remarks on this subject we copy from Dr. 
John A. Warder’s excellent work on apples: 
“Every orchard planter who examines the extended varieties of fruits 
presented to him in the books and by the nurserymen must feel greatly em- 
barassed when he comes to select the varieties for his own orchard. Almost 
every one in the long list is recommended for some good quality, and the num- 
ber of best, which he is apt to conclude means indispensable to him, is won- 
derfully large. Some persons are bewildered by the array presented in the 
catalogue, and fall back upon their own slender stock of information, select- 
ing only one well-known variety; but most persons commit a far greater fault 
by attempting to grasp all varieties that are offered and commended, which 
is very well for some one person in every region to do. It is labor of love for 
the benefit of his fellow townsmen; but it is far better for him who is about 
to plant an orchard, either large or small, to determine which varieties are 
best adapted to his purpose. For the small planter, who is providing for the 
wants of his family a number of varieties that will ripen in quick succession 
will be best, and the sorts should be selected with regard to their qualities 
for household use. The planter of extensive commercial orchards, on the con- 
trary, will need but a limited number of varieties, which should be selected 
with a view to the wants of the market he intends to supply, as well as the 
productiveness of the fruit and its ability to bear transportation. While it is 
desirable to have but a few well selected varieties in such an orchard, it must 
be recollected that even when there is a general failure of the crop there are 
always some sorts that bear fruit, and this is an argument against making 
the list too small. 
“All attempts to make lists of fruit for general cultivation over the great 
extent of our country have been abortive. State and regional lists are made 
by the pomological and other societies, which are useful in rendering approxi- 
mate information; but, at last, every planter should observe the fruits that 
succeed in his neighborhood, and upon soil similar to his own, and select 
the varieties for planting accordingly. 
