250 3fississippi VdUei/ Horticultural Society. 



Thus it will be seen that this popular apple originated near the fortieth 

 l)arallel, and observation proves that it is more perfectly at home there than 

 anywhere else. During recent travels among the orchards of Illinois, Iowa, 

 Kansas and Missouri, I have carefully observed it, and find that, after passing 

 the forty-first parallel, it becomes smaller and less perfect, and, turning 

 southward, after passing the thirty-ninth parallel, it ripens early, and loses 

 its keeping qualities. So well is its value understood in the section of coun- 

 try referred to, that, in many places, nine-tenths of the late planting is of 

 this variety. 



While we claim that this is the best apple that we now have for Southern 

 markets, we do not wish to leave the impression that it is entirely satisfac- 

 tory. We accept it as the best we can do for the present, but with the con- 

 fident expectation that the skill and indomitable energy of the horticultur- 

 ists of the Northwest will, in time, bring out something possessing the good 

 points of this variety combined Avith the delicious flavor of the Spitzenberg, 

 Jonathan or Grimes' Golden. 



We have, during the past season, frequently met with the Missouri Pip- 

 pin, an apple resembling the Ben Davis in some particulars, but not quite 

 so large, and apparently a little better quality. It is an apple of much prom- 

 ise, and may take a prominent place in this market. 



During the past three years we have frequently met with the " Salome," 

 an accidental seedling grown by E. C. Hathaway, of Ottawa, Illinois, which 

 we consider one of the most promising new apples. Since the original tree 

 came into bearing, ten or twelve years ago, it has not failed of a crop. The 

 fruit is of medium size, smooth and uniform in appearance, of fair quality, 

 and a remarkably good keeper. Hon. 0. B. Galusha, President of the Illi- 

 nois State Horticultural Society, has watched it carefully for several years, 

 and gives it as his opinion that it is the coming apple, and peculiarly 

 adapted to Southern markets on account of its wonderful keeping qualities. 

 Our i:)resent opinion is, that in a few years, it will be one of the popular ap- 

 ples in this market. 



We, of the North, want the luscious fruits that grow only in this sunny 

 land, and in return we desire t.o send you our green apples and canned and 

 evaporated fruits; and at this meeting hope to learn more definitely your re- 

 -quirements, that we maybe able to furnish that which will give the most 

 X^erfect satisfaction. 



When, more than three centuries ago, Juan Ponce De Leon, after a fruit- 

 less search for the fountain of youth among the islands of the sea, turned his 

 face westward, pushing, day a/ter day, through swamps, jungles and brakes, 

 finally stood upon the bank of the mighty river that flows at our feet, was it 

 only a beautiful fancy that said to him that, if he had not discovered the 

 fountain of youth he had found the Eldorado of whicii he was equally in 

 quest? For where does the sun, in all its course, shine upon so fruitful a 

 land as this wonderful valley of the Father of Waters ? Who can estimate 

 ts wealth of cotton and sugar, of wheat and corn and fruits ? 



