The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1878-01-02
4nsbaaatp.
Albemarle Pippin.

Take it altogether, we question whether
the world holds its equal. 1t was not orlgl-
nally native here, but like many other fine
varieties introduced from abroad, being pro-
badly what is elsewhere known as the New.
town pippin. But on its introduction into
the high hill regions of this county it so far
surpassed its original parent stock, in all the
highest qualities of an apple, that before
many years it attracted so much attention,
not only in this country, ut.even in England,
that it became itself celebrated variety I'M
der its own well-known name. There are in
this county and in the adjoining county OF
Nelson, several orchards that are Justly dis
tinguished for their production, and were the
close intelligent care requisite to render any
fruit crop success given to it's production
and cultivation it is difficult to say where
would be the limit in the profits resulting
from it. We recall now one very small
farm, of some forty acres or less, where few
years since the sales of this f:ait reached
from 81 200 to $500.
Another much larger orchard, where from
non-residence of the owner, and other causes,
the trees had suffered greatly from neglect
and from want of personal superintendence,
the sales only q few years ago (1872-73)
reached IS high as $4,000, and this, besides
the production on the farm of all ordinary
grain and grass crops necessary to supply
the plantation. We give these as mere illus
trations, and as personally known to US
We are told that these two instances are by
no means regarded as marking the highest
productions of these orchards, but they are
selected because the sales of these particular
years happened to be within reach, and could
be easily verified.
Some years before the war, when the Hon.
Andrew Stephenson. of Albemarle county,
was United States Minister to England, he
presented Queen Victoria with a lot of the
Albemarle pippins She was so much pleased
with them that she procured the passage Of
an act of Parliament by which they were ad-
mitted free of duty. At that time the Eng
lish policy was in favor Of. tariffs.
There is not the slightest doubt on the
mind of the owner of the larger orchard re-
ferred to, that diligent and skilled attention,
could annually double the profit in this par
ticular case. One popularity of this variety
is, that the area of country producing it, in
such perfection as We can, is 80 small that
the market can never be over.stocked. The
quantity of Northern red apples on the mar
ket, scarcely affects to any appreciable ex-
tent the sale of the Albemarle pippin, and
we believe would not do SO, if the crop were
made to rival in value the wheat or tobacco
crop of this county, which could easily be
done in few years. When the necessary
capital, and skilled intelligent population,
shall have been drawn to us, as it must be in
coming years, by the unrivalled climate of
Piedmont Virginia, the citizens of less ia.
vored regions will be truly amazed at the
marvellous wealth which will be brought
forth from our fertile hills and valleys. We
hope to speak of the grape culture at anoth-
er time.-OarlOttssville JefersOnian.