Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-03-26
MTSCELLANE0US.
Essay on the Apple.
BY CASPER KILLER.

Read before the Lancaster. County. Pa. Hoy-
Hc"E'"rat Society, March 4th, 1867.
1t is not my object in this Essay on the
Apple to enter into its history, or to trace its
various grades of Improvement duri1p the
ages that are past. Nor will it be necessary
to say anything of its uses, as from tho way
that specimens usually make their disappear-
ance, we naturally come to the conclusion
that at least one of its uses is understood. It.
IS enough for our purpose to know, that such
glorious fruit as the Baldwin, Northern Snv.
Norton's Melon, Rambo, &C., are in exist
enee, and the question that is important to
US, is, how to have them. The time was, not
quarter OF century ago. when the apple
crops rarely ever failed. Then the even Year
was called the apple year, in which we mi:,ht
with confidence look for great crons Of onnIcs
Then select apples could be had at 25 cents n
bushel. aid cider at one dollar barrel.
Great quantities were fed to stock and
wagon loads were sent to the distillcry, to be
converted into Apple-jack, probably the Only
pad use that could be made of that noble
frult, But change has come over the an
pic crop here. Instead of coming with a
certainty every other year, it comes at long
intervals, and when it does come, usually bids
us be satisfied with half a crop The theo-
rlcs for the causes of this change are various:
The first is, that the fault lies in the culti-
Vatlon that trees are not properly taken care
or &c. But these are idle assertions, for VIC
have scores Of Intelligent cultivators amoDast
US, who know how to plant, prune and culti-
vate, and who are no better rewarded for
their pains than others Who pay less attention
to their trees. If those who find fault with
cuitlyators would bear in mind that formerly
tAe OLD trees on the common, made their reg
uiar crops every other gear, without cultiva>
ton, without pruning, and are now as barren
as any, they would cease slandering fruit
growers.
2nd. That varieties deteriorate or wear ont
from old age. If this were so they must do
so everywhere. Our Rambo is not as for.
merIy But in some Of the Western States
1t is now as fine as it ever was here The va
rlcty then has not deteriorated.
I'D. That trees not as thrifty as former
ly. But the experience of tree growers is
that young trees make as much growth and
arc as healthy as ever
4th. That our climate becomes more var;-
able. That this change is caused by the de-
struction Of our forests.
II this theory is correct, and think it is.
our future prospect for fruit is not very fat
terInS. The history of the Old World shows
parallel changes. Districts formerly garden
spots, became upon the destruction of the
forests, barren wastes so rapidly, that "a single
generation has witnessed the beginning and
the end of the melancholy revolution"
The wood1nan's axe is mercilessly piled.
and II the warning voice "Woodman spare
that tree" is not soon needed, half a century
hence maEhot only find the country without
aPP!eS, but our cereal corps will frequently
tall. This will be brought about bv sudde3
and extreme changes in temperature.
but 1t dose not become rs tn des-ouJ ok
future prospects. Oar business as Horticul-
turIsts Is to overcome the difficulties that are
ii the way.
For this purpose we must study what are
the requisites for making a crop Of appIes
These consist of proper trees, soil asnect
cultivation, pruning, varieties, &c.
1t VIII not be necessary in this baper to
treat ol the propagation Of the apple. Few
eniuVators would lind it profitable to grow
t[ees from seed. But persons about to plant
should select heG!thy and stocky trees. from
HiA 10 elSnt tect high, and from two TO three
years old from the graft. The soil of our
county is well adapted for the annie Az =
RUE, we may say any ground chat will Weld a
good crop OF corn is adapted for tho Growth
OF the apple. Avoid planting on the Site e
an Gid orchard. The trees never do well on
such situations. Aspect or situation Is. neer-
Daps, under our frequent failures. Ct a,reater
Importance to US than all ether conditions
comPlned. Northern slopes and high ground
are tne oest. The reason is, trees commence
10 gro" later, and thus astaps moro of the
ehan Seabte spring weather. But sites are oc-
caslonally found on low ground that have
proven very good. The best orchard in nv
locality is on low, heavy ground, inclined to
vet, with an Eastern aspect The great adj
vantage of this soil or situation is its cold
ness.