SUMMER MEETING, 1SS0. 71 



our subject, "Why?" We were thus brought to consider what we had 

 undertaken to do. We would find it comparatively easy to give a tangible 

 reason why an apple is or is not good for market; or why it is or is not good to 

 put aside for winter; or even why it is or is not good to cook; but to tell why 

 we consider it good, bad or indifferent to eat seems quite another matter. We 

 have occasionally heard our worthy secretary say he thinks a great deal of his 

 wife, and I doubt not he really does so, and with the best of reason ; but we 

 doubt if he would not find himself at a loss to give reasons why his preference 

 ran just in that view rather than any other. But, humor aside, our likes and 

 dislikes are a matter of taste or fancy rather than reason ; hence the best and 

 only real reason we are able to give why apples are good to eat is that we like 

 them; and since tastes will differ, each variety must stand or fall by the gen- 

 eral verdict; or rather, perhaps, by the verdict of experts. Moreover, with 

 the differences of individual preferences, and the varying tastes of the same 

 person under change of circumstances, it will hardly suffice to supply a set of 

 consecutive varieties, such that but one variety shall be in season at the same 

 time. The taste demands and should have a choice of varieties, as far as 

 practicable at any and all times. 



Judged upon the basis thus laid down, the Early Harvest must be accepted, 

 as one of the apples "good to eat" — if for no other reason, because it stands 

 almost alone in its season ; so that, for a time at least, it is that or nothing. 



Carolina Red June follows the above very closely, and continues for some 

 time later than the preceding. It will, also, sometimes mature a few fruits in 

 advance of the Early Harvest; and, were it not generally so small, imperfect 

 and scabby in this, its northern limit, it might very possibly even take prece- 

 dence of that old favorite, to which it is decidedly superior in flavor. 



Early Strawberry, which follows closely upon the disappearance of Early 

 Harvest is one of the most beautiful of early amateur apples; and, although 

 the flesh is not very tender, its high piquant flavor and abundant juice, together 

 with its long continuance in season render it exceedingly desirable. 



Summer Kose is nearly of the same season with the preceding; but is 

 quite its counterpart in both the habit of the tree, and the appearance and 

 quality of the fruit. It is really good enough either to look at or to eat. 



Primate follows Early Harvest quite closely, and covers the entire season of 

 the last two. Tree strong, productive and hardy, but sometimes water-cored 

 when overgrown. It ripens in succession. The flavor is rather too mild for 

 some tastes, but rich and very pleasant. 



Early Joe, among apples, is nearly what the Seckel is among pears, of the 

 standard of excellence. Much like Summer Kose in size, form and beauty of 

 appearance, it quite excels it in quality, texture and flavor. Its season in 

 Southern Michigan is early September. The tree must have high culture. 



If sweet apples are to have a place in this connection, we may name the Large 

 Yellow Bough, which will possibly come in just before the Early Joe. It is 

 the best very early sweet apple although lacking productiveness. 



Garden Royal follows Early Joe very closely. It is one of the "apples that 

 are good to eat," because all that taste it, like it. The flavor is mild but rich ; 

 much like that of American Summer Pearmain, though possibly a little richer. 

 The fruits are always perfect and very even sized; tree small; should be better 

 known. 



American Summer Pearmain is a mid-September apple, exceedingly beauti- 

 ful and excellent when perfect; and so tender and crisp that it frequently 

 our own conclusions; we find ourselves face to face with the latter clause of 



