Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-03-07
APPLES.
LOCAL VI. FOREIGN yARIETIEs.

LOCAL vs. FOREIGN VARIETIES.
Essay s:ss x
March 6, 1882.
By the term foreign l do not intend to
convey the idea that I allude to fruits
brought from foreign countries" but
varieties from other sections OF our 0pn
county. 1t is well-known fact that
every country has its natiye fruits,
adapted to its own particular climates,
and when removed elsewhere, are often SO
materially changed in appearance, favor
and habit as to be almost unrecognizable,
and indeed often quite worthless. So
changed that many persons would assert
they were entirely different. Although
the change in location may not be very
great, yet there is a certain something in
soil and climatic influence SO unsuited to
its natural element that man cannot sup
ply, and which We are unable to account
for.
1t will doubtless be asserted, that con-
tinual changes are taking place in all newly
forests, will, in itself, bring about changes
not perceptible at the time. But as years
of time intervene, we are enabled in our
comparisons of the seasons of formeryears
with of those of the latter, to perceive
such a material difference as to lead us to
pause and query what has been the cause.
This may effect, to some extent, the local
fruit of each section. Nevertheless,
believe it is SO gradual as to be of little
importance, as the power of tho tree to
adapt itself to the surrounding circum-
stances of it's native place.
The idea that l more particularly wish
to impress is the common error in bring
ing varieties of apples from distant parts
of the same county, or even the same
state, and / might assert of the same
country, for indeed what might be con-
sidered first quality in the higher attitudes
of Northern Lancaster county would be
of little value in the southern section, and
rice uersa. Although they might be upon
tho same degree of latitude, the natural
elements of soil would not supply the
requisites of its native locality. Then,
too, what would flourish in the eastern
section, along the Mine hill and Welsh
mountain ridges, might not be worthy of
cultivation in the fertile valleys of the
western end. 1t does not necessarily fol-
low that single variety will produce well,
and retain all its good qualities in every
part of its own locality. But We have
good reason to believe there is more GER
tainty Of receiving good reward for tho
labor in removing sorts ndtire TO CacA par
ttcular section provided, the same alti-
tude, degree of latitude and natural as-
poets be maintained, and even then excep-
tions will occur.
The grave error of our own vicinity
might be attributed to several causes. The
high price of land ard I. want of interest
by our agriculturists in horticulture. has
.,l 70 <1,.asr nr-
chards, as unprotitable, and let the tree
perish for the want of proper nourishment
and care some. too, have become victims
of the woodman'S S axe. and what was once
the pride and comfort Of the husband
man. supplying health giving luxuries
to the household, has been sup
planted to the growth Of nox-
ious and poisonous weed. In converse
ton with a neighboG who had cut down
flourishing orchard, he said he could
"buy his apples much cheaper than he
could raise them - and this was doubt
less true in his case, and why? Because
in the selection of varieties he did as
thousands Of Others have done, was en-
thusiastic in his estimation and value of
the fine fruits that were then put in our
markets from the northern part of this
state, and central and western New York,
where Baldwins, Spitzenbergs, Twenty
ounce, Tompkin skiing, Jillflower, Northern
Spy, X. L., Greetings and dozens of others
tlourished to perfection, anu planted most
ly of such sorts, doubtless thinking, that
they would produce here equally well, never
for a moment pausing to query whether
they might not bc unsuited to this locality,
and am not surprised, from the results
that you purhaps have all observed that a
lukewarmucss has been created in the in
terest of the Orchardist ard since the
transportation facilities are such, that
apples O: superior excellence can be brought
cheaply to oar markets, from sections less
valuable in agricultural wealth, and Gnd
ready market at reasonable prices, in the
cities while the poorer classes Of the rural
districts are not supplied and often suffer
for the health giving juices of 4 well
ripencd Smoke. house or Rambo.
l might enter an apology here for aid
ing in the dissemination of varieties un-
suited to our locality, but the nurscryman
like all other business men, is not exempt
from occasionally dealing in humbugs,
especially when the demand WAS for the
varieties brought to our markets from the
northern districts above referred to. So
great was the inquiry for the then newer
sorts that our usual supply Of some OF the
older reliable stand-bys were left in the
nursery rows to be dug and burned by the
thousand to make room for other stock.
The experimental mania has brought its
accompanying evil, and created a demand
for new varieties, generally following ir
the wake of their predecessors, after years
of care and expectation. to be cast aside
for other novelties that in all probabilit,
would meet with tie same fate. Thu:
from lists of from twenty to thirty at mosl
they are counted now by the scores and
hundreds to suit the varied fancy of custo
ners. Hence failures have become sc
numerous that some look with distrust
upon all, and abandon the enterprise as
discouraginS and Improbable.
Is there no remedy? Can VIC not grow
apples as heretofore: l believe we can
Trees grow and flourish as OF yore, ant
Tre have many instances of success in al
sections where the proper care has been
taken in the selection of varieties, and due
attention to cultivation, pruning and the
application of necessary fertilizers. | an
fully convinced that every planter
in selecting an apple orchard should
first consult some fruit grower il
lis immediate neighborhood and ascertain
what varieties are doing best in thar sec
ton and then plant nine-tenths OF hi.
orchard with those known to do vel
there. Failures would be the exception
the balance might be an experimental
plot of those promising well, and not
fully tested. l do not however wish to be