The capacity of Virginia to grow the best apples is demonstrated by the samples laid before us by Mr. Franklin Davis, of Staunton. Barely have we seen finer specimens of the best sorts. The Fall Pippins, and Rambo, Fallawater, etc, are enormous, and very fine. The old ribbed yellow Belleflower causes reminiscences of the old times which are but too rarely recalled. If such productions can be raised in sufficient quantities for export, that fine portion of Virginia should be turned into an orchard, and fill its rail-road with fruit for the cities. The inhabitants can have no better exponent of the best kinds and the best modes of cultivation, than Mr. Davis, who is devoting his time and attention to the nursery business, in an enlightened spirit which cannot fail of success.

The Apple #1

The Pioneer Farmer, published at Des Moines, contains an admirable paper on the apple, by James Smith, of that place. The lists of fruit adapted to that climate are so far satisfactory, as they are the result of the best experience, but he says: "My own experience with fruit has convinced me, that, like men, the best have their faults, and that if we look for a perfect fruit, and reject all else, we are doomed to disappointment".

In treating the subject in various aspects, he says: "Is it essential that a fruit should originate on a given soil or climate, to succeed well there? Let us look at the range of latitude that has produced all our popular western sorts: Fulton, from Illinois; Sweet June, Conn.; Early Joe, Jonathan, New York; Red Astrachan, Russia: Townsend, Pennsylvania; Red June, North Carolina; Benoni, Mass.; Duchess of Oldenburg, Russia; Maiden's Blush, Yellow Bellflower, Roman Stem, and Wine Sap, New Jersey; Early Pennock and Raule's Jannet, Virginia: Winter Sweet Paradise, Pennsylvania; Talman's Sweet, Rhode Island; Westfield Seeknofurther, Conn.; Fameuse, Canada; Keeswick, Coldin, England. The origin of the Lowell, and White Winter Pearmain, is unknown, but so far as I know, have succeeded well wherever tried.

"J. Van Buren, of Clarkesville, Georgia, who is styled the apple-king of the South, states, in the last volume of the Horticulturist, that his correspondents in Northern Kentucky and Northern Indiana, assure him that southern varieties of the apple withstand the winters there as well as those from the North. My own experience 'here, with southern varieties is, that they harden up their wood as well in the fall as those from the Northland I have the beat authority for saying that this is their character in New York; while the Baldwin, Roxbury Russet, Sweet Bough, Rhode Island Greening, Newtown Pippin, and Ladies Sweet, the very cream of the eastern and northern catalogues, are ground cumberers in Central Iowa. I do not wish to be understood that we must look mainly to a southern climate for varieties adapted to our climate - far from it - but that we may introduce the choice varieties of almost all sections of the Union, with about equal hope of adding to our list of valuable fruits.

"But, in the face of all evidence, the advocates of seedlings will continue on their mission, preaching to the hitherto unfortunate fruit-growers, that, to be successful, they must return to seedlings, and when by a combination of circumstances, (improper selection of trees and sites for orchards, and neglect in planting and after-culture), they have made a few proselytes, they fancy themselves the forerunners of a new era in fruit-growing; and if they, like the 'great 'Apostle of Terra-Culture,' should demand fortunes in consideration of their great services, and were refused, as was thai messenger, this, to them, would be one more evidence of the ingratitude of republics.

"The planting of seedlings from excellent sorts, however, is not to be discouraged, as it is only thus that new and valuable varieties can be originated".

Apples #2

There are a few delicious American apples which require more sun and a drier climate than that of our "tight little island," and these I feel convinced can be cultivated in the orchard house with success. They should be grafted on the Paradise stock, be planted in the same sized pots as other orchard-house trees, in the same compost, and have the same treatment with regard to summer pinching as apricots. The only sorts I know at present to be worthy of this in the South of England are some foreign varieties, among which are the American apples, the Newtown Pippin; the Northern Spy, a delicious, large, handsome, and good-keeping apple, with half-melting flesh; the Melon Apple, of equal goodness: these seem to require a warmer climate than the open air even of our Southern Counties. The Male Carle, a favorite Italian apple, may also be tried. In the far North, however, some of our fine English apples may be equally worthy of a place under glass: such as the Ribstone Pippin; the Nonpareil; the Golden Pippin; the Golden Reinette; the Van Mons Reinette; Coe's Golden Drop; .the Sturmer Pippin, and some others.

I hope one day to see orchard houses on many a sunny slope in the Highlands; and why not? If art and wealth can overcome Nature in making fruits grow, instead of heather, the conquest will cause smiles rather than tears, and give a much greater amount of happiness than the "glorious victories" of our history.

Apples #1

In no section of the United States have we seen finer apples, and they are mostly from seedlings originally planted by the Indians. Silas McDowell, of Franklin, in Macon Co., has devoted more than twenty years to the selection and grafting of those best native apples, and now he has an orchard of more than 600 apple-trees, which bear fruit equal if not superior to the best northern kinds. There is said to be a line or belt on the mountain sides, about three hundred feet above the adjoining plain or valley, and extending upwards several hundred feet, where fruit trees always bear, because the belt is free from frost. If this be true, - and we believe its truth has been pretty well tested by experiment, - the mountains of North Carolina might supply the South with an abundance of the choicest fruit, if the means of transportation were good. - Mr: Buckley, in the Country Gentleman.

Apples #1

In the present pear excitement and grape mania we are neglecting our standard fruit. Notwithstanding all that has been said about the preservation of pears and grapes during winter months, experience proves that we are without any fruit except apples from December to June. Facts are stubborn things. No one will rejoice more than the writer when winter pears and native grapes are plenty in February, but until there is more prospect of it than at present, let us not neglect the universally respected apple.

Baldwin

Although a native of Massachusetts, this is one of our most popular varieties; a good bearer, and a fine-flavored apple. Ripe from November to March.

Caleb

One of the best early sweet apples. A vigorous grower, and productive; good for eating or cooking. Does well in this vicinity. August and September.

Early Harvest

Another good early sweet apple; a valuable fruit either for dessert or cooking. Does well in this vicinity. July and August.

Fallawater

Under the sobriquet of "Fall de Walldes" this apple is known among our farmers. For general cultivation it deserves all that can be said in its favor; - though not a first-class fruit for the table, yet its good size, appearance, fair flavor, and its great certainty of yield, entitle it to a position in the front rank. It is not so much the apple for the amateur as for the farmer, who wants an apple for general use - eating, cooking, paring, etc., etc. November to February.

Golden Russet

A favorite variety, of golden russety hue. January to April.

Pennock

Probably oftener met with in the Wilmington market than any other variety; although its liability to bitter rot is compelling it to give way to better varieties. A native of Pennsylvania; large, deep, red apple, with a pleasant sweetish flavor; good for eating or cooking. November to March.

Smith's Cider

A Pennsylvania apple; one of the most vigorous and productive varieties; greenish white, juicy, acid flavor. A profitable fruit December to March.

Smokehouse

One of the oldest and best known. Tree vigorous, and a great bearer; medium-sized fruit, yellowish, crisp, and acid; excellent for pies and cooking purposes generally. October to March.

Other favorite varieties are, Jefferies, (native of Chester county,) Lady Apple, Maiden's Blush, (New Jersey,) Rambo, (an excellent variety, and very popular in this neighborhood,) Summer Pearmain, (much esteemed in New Jersey,) Porter Roman Stem, (resembles Yellow Belle Fleur,) Strode's Birmingham, Tolman's Sweeting, and Vandevere, a native of this place; a fine apple for cooking, but subject to bitter rot, and, like Pennock, has been superseded by Smokehouse and other better varieties. Christiana originated in this neighborhood, and is ranked "very good.' King of Tompkins County deserves a trial in this vicinity.

Trees should be selected of reliable nurserymen, by the purchaser in person, if possible, either in the autumn or early spring; fall planting is preferred here; forty feet apart is the usual distance. With good soil, proper situation, well-selected varieties of vigorous trees, and fair culture, the apple can hardly fail to become a remunerative crop.

Tree-Mover

The accompanying cut illustrates a very convenient contrivance for moving large trees, for the drawing of which we are indebted to a young friend. It is not a recent invention, but will probably be new to many of our readers. It almost explains itself. The truck is backed against the tree, the tongue thrown up against the body, and secured by stout cords. The earth is then removed from around the roots, the tongue pulled down by means of the rope attached to the end of the tongue, a team hitched fast, and the tree moved to its new quarters. The truck is placed over the hole in which the tree is to be planted, the tongue thrown up, and the tree is then in just the right position for filling in the earth. A truck of this kind would be very useful in planting parks and large grounds, and a small one would be useful for general pur-, poses.