FRUIT REPORTS. 
215 
10. I cannot obtain very accurate statistics of fruits in Pennsylvania, but 
a conservative estimate would place the acreage in apples at 15,000 acres, 
peaches 2,000 acres, and grapes at 10,000 acres. 
EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 
BY W. B. K. JOHNSON, ALLENTOWN. 
I. The eastern portion of Pennsylvania is very variable in soil, and varie- 
ties of fruit should be selected for each particular locality. Pennsylvania 
is particularly adapted for fruit growing and nowhere can fruit be found 
superior, to that grown on the blue or Trenton limestone formation, in quality 
and flavor, thriftiness of trees and healthiness and longevity of trees. Cal- 
ifornia alone beats us in appearance. Y T arieties introduced from north of us 
are not good keepers, and winter fruits should be from the south. Only 
on northern slopes can the Northern Spy and others of the same order be 
grown as winter apples., Apples, peaches, cherries and pears are grown 
successfully wherever chestnut timber is growing, also in deep clay bottom. 
Quinces need a deep moist soil, not wet. On the conglomerate formation, 
reports are not as favorable, probably owing to the lack of attention, as the 
valleys are favorable. 
Fruit lands can be bought at all prices, as located, from $50 to $150 and 
even $200 per acre. 
No fruit brings better prices than good winter apples, such as Lehigh Green- 
ing**, York Imperial**, Baldwin*, Ben Davis*, Newtown Pippin*, Pewau- 
kee**, Walbridge*, American Beauty**, Grimes Golden**, Red Paradise**. 
Cultivation— The care given is generally poor, yet the orchards produce such 
fruit that visitors are astonished to see it at our county fairs. 
Fertilizers— Stable manure is generally poorly balanced for orchard pur- 
poses. YVhere formerly I used from forty to fifty tons of stable manure to the 
acre I now use crimson clover, muriate of potash, bone and South Carolina 
rock. The soil should have a goodly proportion of humus. 
8. Insects — We have plenty of codling moths, grape fruit worms, tent 
caterpillars a few, while the canker worm is not troublesome; plum curculio 
does some harm, as do the peach tree borer and flat head borer. For all eat- 
ing and chewing insects I find nothing better than Paris green; for borers 
use a sharp knife. 
9. Irrigation is scarcely used. 
10. We had an orchard of ninety acres of peaches, but few are over ten 
acres; of apples I know of but two bearing orchards of over five hundred 
trees; for pear, plum and quince orchards none contain more than 450 pears, 
500 quinces and 300 plums. 
II. I know of no establishment where fruit is evaporated as a business. 
Old style drying is done in every farmer’s family, but I doubt if it is prof- 
itable. 
12. Peach buds, red and black raspberries and apricots were injured, but 
all others withstood the cold exceedingly well. 
