PROCEEDINGS OF KINDRED SOCIETIES. 253 



THE APPLE THE UNIVERSAL FRUIT. 



I am aware that in this and adjoining counties the peach and plum are 

 the leading fruits, hence a paper upon apples may not be particularly 

 interesting to you; yet you will pardon me if I venture a few words in 

 defense of the apj)le — the world-renowned fruit of the temperate zones. 



From the most remote iDeriod of which we have any record, the apple has 

 been referred to both in prose and song. 



While the apple may not possess all the virtues attributed to it by the 

 ancient mythologists, it does possess medicinal properties hardly equaled 

 by any other fruit. 



The apple has been the one universal fruit, following closely in the 

 footsteps of man wherever he has migrated and founded a home and 

 society within the limits of the temperate climate, bringing health and 

 wealth to thousands, and gladdening the hearts of many of the early set- 

 tlers of this and other states, where men and women have ventured to 

 make for themselves and their children a home and a country. May its 

 productiveness, its usefulness, and its good qualities never grow less. 



The settlers of this continent brought with them from the old world, 

 seeds of the apple, which, were planted and grew to trees of bearing age; 

 this was followed by bringing from Europe buds and scions of choice 

 varieties, from which, by gradual improvement, has come the giant list 

 named in the catalogue of America's unrivaled and best fruit — the apple. 

 The sun shines not upon a clime nor a land on the globe better adapted to 

 the apple than is found on the American continent. Michigan orchards 

 are unrivaled, and Michigan apples when honestly packed and properly 

 handled are world-renowned for their beauty and good quality. 



There are two questions to be settled in the selection of varieties. The 

 first one is to select the kinds needed for family use, commencing with the 

 earliest to ripen, continuing in succession to the winter varieties. This 

 list should not be selected for productiveness alone but for quality and 

 adai)tability to the wants of the family. No better investment can be 

 made than the time and money spent in securing the family orchard. It 

 seems to stamp the home with a show of respectability and comfort, which 

 should be more fully realized. The second question is, what are the best 

 sorts to plant for market? This is also an important one. A mistake 

 here will bring great disappointment and financial loss. I may here add 

 a word of caution. Don't set too many kinds for a commercial orchard. 

 Three or four varieties as a rule are better than more. No one list can be 

 made to suit all localities. A list suitable for any one point in the state 

 might not be suitable for some other part. Different varieties of apple 

 are affected by soil, climate, and location to such an extent that actual 

 test can alone decide the adaptability of varieties to any particular locality. 

 I know of no better way to settle the question than by personal inspection 

 of the orchards in the town and county where you intend to set your 

 orchard. Any grower will readily tell you which variety does best with 

 him. By this means one can learn the relative value of the different kinds 

 grown in that section. The best and most reliable information can be 

 obtained by joining some horticultural society and helping to maintain it 

 in your own county. The best fruitgrowers are to be found at such meet- 

 ings, ready to give their experience upon the points on which you need 

 information. This will require a little time and cost some money, but you 



