The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-29
The Selection of Fruit Trees.

IL. p Roe, IN Harper'S Mcnthiy.
shall speak first of apples, pears and cher
rles, and have been at some pains to secure the
opinions OF eminent horticulturists as to the
best selections of these fruits for the home table
not for market. When there is a surplus,
however, there will DO no difficulty in disposing
of the fine varieties named.
The Hon. Marshall p. Wilder, the veteran
president of the American Pathological Society
writes as follows: Herewith is the selection
have made for family use, but l could put in as
many more in some of the classes which are just
as desirable, or nearly so. These have been
made with reference to covering the seasons.
Apples-Red Astrakhan, Porter. Gravenstein,
Rhode Island Greening, Baldwin, Roxbury, Rus
set, and Sweet Bough for Baking. Pears
Clapp's Favorite Ito be gathered Aug 20l Bart
jou, and Vicar of WINFIELD. for baking, etc.
Cherries-Black Eagle, Black Tartarian, Down
or, Windsor, Cumberland and Red Jacket"
Mr.. Wilders honored name, like that of the
late Charles Downing, is inseparably linked with
American fruits, and the country owes these two
debt of gratitude which never can be
paid for their life long and intelligent efforts to
guide the people wisely in the choice and culture
of the very best varieties. A moments thought
viii convince the reader that am not giving too
much space to this matter of selection. We are
dealing with questions which wide and
varied experience can best answer. Men who
give their lives to the cultivation and observa-
ton of fruits in all heirmyrad varieties acquire
q knowledge which is almost invaluable. We
cannot afford to put out trees, to give them good
culture and wait for years only to learn that all
our care has been bestowed on inferior or sec
ond-rate varieties. Life is too brief We all
feel that the best is good enough for US, and the
best usually costs more in money or time
than do less desirable varieties. Therefore
seek to give on this important question OF choice
the opinions of some of the highest authorities
in the land.
Mr.. A. S. Fuller is not only well known hor-
ticultural author, but has also had the widest
experience in the culture and observation of
fruit. He prefaces his opinion with the follow
ing words: "How much and how often we hor-
ticulturists have been puzzled with questions
like yours! II we made no progress. were al
ways of the same mind, and If seasons never
changed then perhaps there would be little diff
Guilty in deciding which of the varieties of the
different kinds Of fruit were really the best.
But seasons, our tastes, and even the varieties
sometimes change, and our preferences and
opinions must vary accordingly. Apples-Early
Harvest, Fab Pippins, Spitzenburg, Rhode Is
land Greening, Autumn Sweet Bough and Tai
mans Sweet. Cherries--Early Purple Guigne,
Biggarreau of Mezel, Black Eagle, Goes Trans
parent, Governor Wood and Belle Magnifque."
The choice of Mr.. Z. s. Carmen, editor of the
Rural New Yorker 'Apples-Eariy Harvest,
Gravenstein, Jefferis, Baldwin, Mother, Spitzen-
burgh. Pears-Seckel, Tyson, Clapp's Favorite,
Bartlett, Beurre dAnjou and Dana's Hovey.
Cherries-Black Tartarian, Goes Transparent,
Governor Wood, Mezel, Napoleon Bigarreau."
The authorities appear to differ And so they
would in regard to any locality, but it should be
remembered that President Wilder advises for
the latitude of Massachusetts,, Messrs. Fuller
and Carmen for that of New Jersey. will give
now the selection of the eminent horticulturist.
Mr.. p. G. Bercknans, for the latitude of Georgia:
Cherries this is not a good cherry producing
region, but name the following as the best in
order of meritl-Buttner's, Governor Wood.
Belle de Choisy, Early Richmond and May Duke,
Pears Tin order of maturity -Clapps Favorite,
Seckel, Duchesse, Beurre, Superfne, Leconta,
Winter Nellis or Glout Moroccan. Alphabetically
Harvest, Red june Carriers Blue, Stevenson's
Winter. Shockley, Buncombe, Carolina Green
ing"
He who makes his choice from these selections
will not meet with much disappointment