406 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



hack, for the indomitable Yankee has given us machines to pare, 

 machines to core, machines to slice, and the evaporator to dry — and 

 there are no more excuses for youthful flirtations. 



In those days the apples were shaken from the trees and put in 

 bins, like potatoes — were worth but a trifle in the market. liut now 

 the demand for exportation keeps the prices up, and the farmer 

 finds his crop of apples pays him better than his corn or potatoes, 

 and is almost as necessarj- for family use. The 3'oung trees mature 

 quickly, and with plenty of ashes dressing, as I know from experi- 

 ence, will astonish you with their heav}' burden of large, handsome 

 fruit. 



Among the cheaper varieties I have found the Minister and ]Mother 

 apples the best for cooking. They are very large bearers and keep 

 well. The Greening and Yellow Bellflower are equally good, but 

 command a higher price as eating apples. The}- are all juicy, easily 

 cooked, and of a sharp, acid flavor. I think we do not half appre- 

 ciate the value of the sweet apple. The Minister, as well as the 

 Suminer Sweets, should be more valuable than sour. The}- are 

 scarcer, they are very heart}-, and certainly, when properly cooked, 

 there is nothing nicer. I find that the small, unmerchautable apples 

 pay better, fed in small quantities to the cows, colts, pigs and hens, 

 in the winter, when they can get no green food, than in any other 

 way. They eat them with avidity, and they sharpen the appetite 

 by giving a little variety. 



The borer here is the greatest enemy of the apple tree. It 

 requires time and patience as well as constant watchfulness to 

 exterminate him. It is said that sand piled around the trunk of the 

 tree will prevent his depredations, but I should not put too much 

 reliance upon it. 



Hoping the apple of discord may not enter your Society, and that 

 your wisdom and your records may be as apples of gold in pictures 

 of silver, I wish you all success. 



