Winter Meeting. ISo* 



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There are hundreds of varieties catalogued, many of which are inferior 

 or worthless for the western planter, and the man who undertakes to 

 select from the numerous catalogue descriptions has a big job on his 

 hands with the chances largely against him. The list is too long and 

 might profitably be cut down one-half. In the November issue of 

 the "Western Fruit Grower'' a gentleman from Illinois who has an 

 experimental orchard of 1,420 varieties names 71 that are inveterate 

 blighters. I am glad to note that of eight of the leading nurseries of 

 Missouri, Illinois, Iowa and Kansas, but 6 of these 71 varieties art 

 listed, namely, Lowell, Bailey Sweet, Twenty Ounce, Wagoner, Fall 

 Pippin and Sweet Bough. In my judgment no great harm would be 

 done if each and every one of these 71 varieties were discarded. So 

 long as we grow these blight-producing varieties we will have blight^ 

 iK)t only will they themselves blight, but they will infect other varie- 

 ties that otherwise would not blight. When a variety shows so 

 decided a weakness as to blight badly and regularly it should be 

 discarded, or rather, it should not be planted in the locality where it 

 is known to blight. The Willowtwig is a first class apple in some 

 sections, but I would not plant it on account of its susceptibility to 

 blight together with other serious faults. For the same reason I 

 have been compelled to grub out bearing trees of Clayton and 

 Wagoner. There are other bad qualities that make some varieties 

 unprofitable. Not all varieties are productive enough to be called 

 profitable. Notable among such varieties is the Lawver ; and for this, 

 and other bad failings, I think I am safe in saying it should not be 

 planted in North Missouri. Of varieties that should be guarded against 

 for their poor quality and general inferiority, I would mention Wal - 

 bridge, Mann, Nickajack, Plumbs Cider, Eng. Golden Russett, Sweet 

 June or Hightop Sweet, and Sops of Wine if what I am growing is the 

 true Sops of Wine, of which I am in doubt. The only tree I have 

 came from a nursery whose trees have borne uniformly true to name. 

 The fruit is very early, ripening before Early Harvest or Red 

 June. It is nearly covered with red over yellowish ground ; round 

 in shape ; medium in size ; tough, dry and tasteless. And now I will 

 mention a few varieties that are excellent in bearing and in quality, 

 some of which are not as well known as they should be, and are not 

 propagated by the nurseries and recommended as they deserve to be. 

 Chenango and Autumn Strawberry are both par excellent ripening 

 in August and September, respectively. For an early apple I do not 

 know of anything better than a variety I am propagating under the 

 name of Primate. I am not sure the name is correct, but the fruit 

 answers the description given of that variety by the various cata- 



