OS STATE IIOKTICULTUKAL SOCIETr. 



Mr. Hubbell : Witli iis the Baldwin is very uncertain. It kills at the top 

 and splits at the bottom. We have some fine orchards of tliis variety how- 

 ever. But in choosing a location for an orchard of this variety one must 

 seek a place where tender peaches will succeed, 



Mr. Antisdale: It seems to me that if the Baldwin were grafted on some 

 strong stock like Northern Spy less difficulty would be experienced from winter 

 killing. 



Mr. Smith : 'No rule will work for two localities a few miles apart. In 

 Michigan almost every township and certainly every county must have its- 

 test experiments before a list of varieties can bo recommended. 



Mr. McClatchic : I have had miserable success with Hod Cannula in my 

 orchard. The fruit is scabby. I would not set a tree of it were I to plant a 

 new orchard. 



Mr. Lyon : In an exi^rience of forty years witli this variety I have noticed 

 that it wants a lieavy, strong soil to succeed well, and in almost every instance 

 where it is condemned on account of scabby fruit tlie soil is light or poor. 



Mr. McClatcliie : That hits my case exactly. My soil is sandy. In the 

 east of the State I am told the Baldwin will drop 20 per cent of its fruit when 

 the Eed Canada will lose less than five per cent. 



E. I5uell, Kalamazoo: I most heartily accord with Mr. Lyon's view from 

 an experience nearly as long as his own. The Red Canada on strong soils is a 

 grand variety and never cheats its owne^ 



A very enthusiastic discussion followcuir upon varieties especially for market. 



A majority argued that outside of every other consideration the commercial 

 fruit-grower should raise what sells best in the large markets. One gentleman 

 said that at the time when shipments were made to the far south the Pennock 

 was the most valuable apple in the market, a variety which none of us here 

 would touch if anything else were to be had. Baldwin was mentioned as the 

 last variety almost that the housewife would select for cooking or the children 

 for eating, still on the market it is number one. Others mentioned the Bart- 

 lett pear and Crawford peach as examples of market varieties which do not 

 stand high in quality. Tlie discussion seemed all one-sided until Professor 

 Tracy remarked that if we plant the varieties popular in market to-day, by 

 the time the trees, especially apple and pear, reach maturity, the public taste 

 may liave radically changed. It takes "a long look ahead" to decide upon 

 the best market varieties to plant. As people buy and eat fruit more, they 

 become somewhat educated in sorts and recognize by form and color the varie- 

 ties that meet the wants of the palate, and will not be deceived. Tlie Seckel 

 pear at one time could scarcely be sold on the great markets because of its 

 inferior appearance; it took years for people to learn the exquisite quality of 

 this variety, but once learning it, the Seckel was at the top of the market. 



This will be found especially true of western markets. Fruit has been until 

 recent years a scarce commodity; people would take anything of the apple 

 kind and be glad of it, asking no questions as to name or pedigree; but as the 

 years go by, and more fruit is thrown upon the market, a wider range of varie- 

 ties and a fuller pocket-book will change the demand, and the commercial 

 grower must have divined this change long vears before to be readv for it. 

 AVe must all remember that in setting orchards which shall supply our mar- 

 kets twenty years hence, a good deal of regard muse be given to (puility. All 

 agreed tiiat the Golden Russet was an exceptionally good variety for northern 

 Michigan ; Duchess of Oldenburg was named as a very profitable early variety. 



