Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-10-06
Fruits-Best Varieties for the Section

By Our Agricultural Editor.
Larger orchards, and of more select va
rieties, is coming to be the order of the day
throughout Virginia, and especially so in
| the eastern part of the state. The tidewater
section is, by virtue of the cheap transpor-
tation facilities, admirably adapted to fruit
growing on an extensive scale; but in fact
the whole state is superior fruit growing
region.
Unfortunately our people have not, here
tofore, devoted much attention or study to
fruits. Outside of apples and peaches, and
perhaps few pears, the mass of farmers
are practically unacquainted with the man.
agement of fruits-indeed small fruits are
practically unknown i'll large sections of
Virginia. With the new agriculture that is
just now dawning upon us, this lack Of
knowledge must be removed
Our purpose now is to mention cursorily a
few of the better kinds of large fruits adapt
ed to our section and present state of affairs.
APPLEs.-Iltor hogs, fora five acre lot to
be used as range for the hogs, we would Sc
lect as follows: 10 May apple, 10 Early Har-
vest or the same of Red June, so Cooling,
90 Gregory, so Wine Sap, so Albemarle
Pippin, 30 Simon. The object in this case
is to extend the apple season to the farther
est limits by having the earliest and latest
apples and plenty of the intermediate kinds
so as to keep up succession. The count
is, so trees to the acre, $50 trees for the five
acres. Of course there would be apples for
other purposes besides feeding to hogs.
The lot might be sowed in clover every
third year, or rye annually.
IT for cider for vinegar or brandy, the two
best apples are, undoubtedly, first the
Gregory. second, the Cooling. These are
so superior for the purpose that we would
not care to have other kinds. Let the farmer
plant as many of each kind as be desires.
IT .lor marketing green, the Early Har-
second early, are perhaps the best. For
winter sorts the Winesap, Albemarle Pippin,
aud Shockly are our favorities, with few
of the old Simon as last late-a kind that
holds on long and endures much rough
handling. Plant largely of winter apples.
PEARs.-For the masses we advise plant
ing only the Bartlett the Clap's Favorite,
and the Seckel-these three-and no more
The first is the great standby, large, fine
looking, sells well, and may be gathered ten
days before ripe, and so endures transpor-
tation. The other two are fine pears indeed.
PEACHES early market Hale's Early
still takes the lead. Peaches are only pro-
ftable marketed early in the season. In
general Seeding peaches answer every pur-
pose for our section, are better favored,
trees healthier, and the farmer can grow
them for himself. The farmer should have
a fve-acre lot set to peach-trees, exclusive
ly for his pigs in summer. The poor sandy
ridges make good sites for peach orchards,
and it is cheap feed for the swine
The farmer in planting an orchard, should
plant such kinds as will best meet the OBJ
iacf: bo hos in viaU 10 a,of Let H. ,1aof.
select your fruits for you. You know your
own business best, and the agent knows his
and will work for his every time. If you
want fruit for the market, find out what
your market prefers, and plant that. If
only for home use or elder, plant such as
will meet these wants. The lists we have
given will meet the home wants very we'll.
1t is not best to have too many varieties.-
Large use should be made of fruit for feed
ing swine. Set trees in autumn, if possible.
-Indec-Appeal.