The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-07-08
Something about Apples.

Something about Apples.
Tho Philadelphia Press has lady cor
respondent who writes letters from Wash
ington, under the nom de plume of 'Olivia,"
ON variety of subjects. The following
''about apples " will be found in her usual
racy and interesting vein
A stranger of inquiring mind visiting
the Department of Agriculture at Wash
ington will notice the fruit grown in differ
ent portions of our country, represented
by models of the original in exact imita-
ton. BY the side of the "Gloria mundi "
apple, weighing twenty four ounces, grown
on Capitol Hill, in this city, may be seen
the wild apple of Alaska, no larger than a
medium-sized black currant. The observer
will see at once the change produced in
this fruit by an artificial process or the art
of cultivation. 1t is found by experiment
that the apple will grow in arabic soil in
every portion of our domain, but in every
instance the kind must be adapted to that
part of the country under the hand of the
fruit-grower. Only few years ago it was
supposed the Southern States could not
produce superior quality of apples
Time has shown the mistake was in the
attempt of trying to raise the varieties not
adapted to those ATTITUDES. The Albemarle
pippin of North Carolina is the favorite
apple with royalty in Europe, and is worth
twenty dollars per barrel when safely landed
in London. The Albemarle pippin of North
Carolina is the same as the Newtown pip
pin of moro northern regions. Nothing
can be found out about fruit-growing by
theory; everything must be learned by
experiment. And thus far it is shown that
the Piedmont region on the Blue Ridge of
Virginia, and the hills of North Carolina,
produce tho best apples in the world,
because the season admits of an extra
month for growing, and another for matur-
ing. In what does tho best quality of an
apple consist? Like well dressed woman,
a great deal can be left to the discretion of
the judge, yet certain "points' of rerfec-
ton must be attained, else the whole mat
ter is failure. An apple may be sweet or
sour, or any variation between, and yet it
must be as crisp as an old bachelor, or ten
der as husband before the honeymoon is
over. When the apple is taken between
the teeth the sensation should be like crush
ing air-cells filled with nectar.
The best apples are very heavy accord
ing to their size, especially those adapted
for winter use. In the month of May
apples may be seen in Washington, grown
| the previous year in South Carolina, as
solid to the touch as when taken from the
tree. These apples are considered in the
highest state of perfection when they are
about twelve months old. New York and
Ohio heretofore have enjoyed the reputa-
, ton of raising the best apples on account
of the peculiar temperature of those lati-
tudes, as we'll as other slighter incidental
causes. 1t is now proved that elevation
answers the same purpose as more north
ern zone, because temperature of like
character is obtained, and whilst New York
and Ohio suffer more or less from the frosts
Virginia and North Carolina are compare
lively spared, therefore the fruit crop of
the Southern country is far more reliable
and certain. Whilst writing about the
dear old State of North Carolina it may be
well to mention that she has most remark
able geographical surface. Commencing
on her farthest limit from west to east, she
gradually slopes to the sea. A plank tilted
on end bears strong resemblance to North
Carolina. AS you ascend this plain it
would seem as if this State was constructed
for vast orchard. On the high ridges the
American apple attains perfection. A lit
tie lower, only few miles distant, the
| delicious apricot, the daintiest fruit of
this continent, lives its short life away
Nectarines plums and pears may be raised
here in quantities to supply the whole
nation.
Whilst there is but a single species of
apples, soil, temperature, and other causes
have produced thousands of varieties.
The same apple is known in different parts
of the country by different names, but,
like the people of the various States, there
is generally some popularity to mark them
| Some very few varieties, like some partic-
ular men, seem to flourish equally well
anywhere. In this connection may be men
toned the Wine Sap, Golden Russet, and
| White Winter Pearmain. In Massachu-
sets the Baldwin apple may be seen grow
ing, twisted and distorted, in the hard,
rocky soil, yet no fault can be found with
the product. Massachusetts, Baldwins,
like the people of that State, seem to lose
certain qualities when removed from the
stones and in order to remain perfect, the
Baldwin apple, like Boston people, should
stay at home.
The Baldwin apple of Illinois is a very
inferior production compared with it's Eas-
tern brother, and instead of being crisp,
close, occupying little space, it has expanded
and become porous and coarse 1t has
lost all its delicacy, and reminds one of
those swell millionaires of the West, who
have no faith, knowledge, Or enjoyment,
outside Of physical comfort.
Apples are divided into summer, fall, and
winter varieties. They cannot be classified
because they are artifcially produced
The same apple will not grow in Maine
that grows in Maryland, as it will be so
changed that the qualities cannot be recog-
nized. Each State has this kind of fruit,
which is particularly adapted to its soil and
climate. A man going from the East to
the West, selects gratis from his favorite
trees and takes them to the new country.
In the end he is sadly disappointed
Through the fourteen hundred agricultural
organizations that report to the Depart