Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-04-10
ABOUT APPLES.

ABOUT APPLES.
One Of the chief reasons why farmers fall
such easy victims to the wiles Of gassy tree
pedars is because, there is so little informa-
ton current in reference to the comparative
value Of different varieties Of fruit. Know
ing little or nothing on this subject, the pur-
chaser is at the mercy Of the seller in the
selection Of varieties. Or if he undertakes
to choose for himself, he chooses at random,
and four times out Of Eve gets sorts unfit for
his locality.
Among the advantages of buying from
home nurseries (and by home nurseries we
mean those where trees are actually groom,
not merely received from abroad and dis
tributed) is that you will find ia them few
varieties uDsuited TO the climate of the
ueighborhood. La such nurseries also, it
long established, you can get much valuable
information from the uurseryman, who is
much more likely to be acquainted with
fruit-grOwing than are the pedlars, aud is al.
30 interested to have his customers succeed
in their attempts at fruit growing, while the
pedlar cares only to sell and get pay for so
many trees.
In this article we wish TO post our read
ers, 80 far as we are able, upon the compara-
tive value of varieties. and especially those
varieties adapted to the colder parts Of the
state. In the warmer sections, where fruit
growing has been successful, there exists
more knowledge about varieties, and also
less risk in setting those Of moderate hardi-
ness. The information contained in the
books about fruit growing is also much more
applicable to southern and western Vermont
than TO the northern and eastern counties.
In fact there is as yet no book upon fruit
growing in sections like northeastern YER
mont, where almost all the best known kinds
fail in hardness, and must he replaced by
varieties that are many Of them little known
or valued elsewhere.
TEToFsKY.-This is a thoroughly hardy
sort, handsome, Of good size and very good
quality. 1t is so good that it is likely to re.
place the Early Harvest, even where the lat
ter can be grown being an earlier and better
bearer, aud the fruit always free from scab
and crack. 1t is yellow apple, sometimes
with Pinkish check, has a pleasant acid
flavor, and is ripe in August. Its firm flesh
makes it an unusually good shipping apple
for a summer fruit, aud it also keeps many
days after gathering The tree is very pecu-
liar 10 its growth, aud once seen will be al
ways remembered. The shoots are stout
and the buds very prominent bark light
reddish brown, and leaves very large. The
foliage is usually all dropped before frost,
and the tree seems to resist the severest cold
unframed. 1t is good garden tree as it
does not grow large. 1t is often sold under
the name of Russian Crab, -" but is not a
crab. 1t is however of Russian origin.
SUMNER HARvEY.-This variety is often
supposed to be the same as Early Harvest
but it is very distinct from that variety. II
is large and very handsome apple, ripening
early in September. The tree is an early
bearer and productive. The fruit is about
the size and color of Rhode Island Green
ing Though without any red) and ripens of
a fine yellow. There is no handsomer APP
pie of this color. In quality it compares
well with the Red Astrachan being, like
that variety, toe sour for many paates, but
good cooking apple. 1t has proved itself
harder and a better bearer than the Astra.
chan and were it not for the fine color oil
the latter would. we think, he preferable to
it.
WILLIAMS FAvoRITE.-This fine variety
il widely known as one Of the best sumner
apples. The trees seem to US to be quite
hardy, rather more 80 than Red Astrachan
As an eating apple, and for market, it is {
superior sort. Color red, size large, not 1
very early or heavy bearer, yet not objec
tionable on these points. Ripe in August.
RED AsTRACHAN.-This is very beau
tiful variety and succeeds pretty we'll in colo
regions, yet is not so hardy as any Of thu
above named sorts. 1t is not very early
or full bearer, yet cannot be rejected as tn,
reverse. Where tree OF this variety doe
well it will be highly valued. Size large
color clear red, with light bloom like
plum, and a delightful fragrant appl
smell " Flavor brisk acid, excellent TO
cooking, and popular market fruit. Rip
in August and September, not all ripening a
once, but lasting three or four weeks.
PRTNGLE's SWEET. "A new hybrid variety
between the Siberian crab and common APP
pie. Perfectly hardy, and prodigiou
bearer OfappIes about the size Of the Colder
Russet, of very rich mellow sweetness tina
gives no suspicion Of its crab parentage. w
would not be without this most valuable va
riety, either for home use or market. N
one has ever tried it without wanting it..
is the only summer sweet that is thorough
hardy Color striped red and yellow. Bear
young, season August and September,
SUMNER HAGLOE.-Large, handsome an
OF good quality. Tree very thrifty an
rapid grower aud carly bearer, and perfect
ly hardy. Though not yet widely tested
We believe this will prove a great acquistiO
in the orchard but the rank, rigid an
horizontal growth of its branches make
the most troublesome tree in the nursery, an
especially to pack, that we ever HANDLED
o. A...2 .nl G.