234 BOARD OF AGRlCULTUiRE. 



prematurely, and the tree seems to be rather susceptible to the fungous 

 disease known as root rot. I thinli this matter of root rot could be over- 

 come to a considerable degree by top-working on hardier roots and stems. 

 We can not afford to give, up the Grimes Golden on account of these de- 

 fects, as its superior quality is being sought after, and it will sell, usually, 

 considerably higher than Ben Davis and the more common sorts. This list 

 of profitable winter varieties might be extended considerably. Possibly 

 we might add York Imperial, Mammoth Black Twig, Jonathan, and some 

 others. 



As to summer and fall varieties, I think these should not be omitted 

 from* the commercial orchard. My observation and experience in the 

 Indianapolis market for a number of years has been that good summer 

 apples bring as good, or better, prices than winter apples at gathering, 

 selling at from 75 cents to a dollar a bushel. There is usually a scarcity 

 of fii'St-class summer apples in this market, and we can see no reason why 

 they can not be profitably grown, as the trees of the summer varieties bear 

 more regularly than do the winter varieties. It seems they mature their 

 fruit so early in the season they have vitality left for developing fruit buds 

 for the next year's crop, hence, bear more regularly than the winter va- 

 rieties which hold their crops until late in the season. 



The varieties we have found to be most salable and the most profitable 

 are Red Astrachan, Early Harvest, Yellow Transparent, Benoni, and Sum- 

 mer Red Stripe; and for fall apples ripening later in the season, the 

 Maiden Blush and Wealthy have been very satisfactory. We recommend 

 the Benoni especially for family use and market. The tree is hardy and 

 a prolific bearer. Fruit of medium size, highly colored, yellow striped 

 with red, with vei-y high quality. It ripens gradually in three or four 

 weeks' time, and will keep for a week or ten days when taken from the 

 tree and put in the cellar. One of the faults of this variety is that of over- 

 bearing. They should be thinned somewhat in order to get the best size 

 and quality of fruit. 



The Y'ellow Transparent is a hardy tree, coming into bearing very 

 early. Is a large, fine appearing, greenish yellow apple, cooks well, and 

 is a very satisfactory market apple. 



The Red Astrachan ripens before the Yellow Transparent and Benoni, 

 and on account of its earliness, bright color, and good cooking qualities 

 makes a very desirable early market apple. 



The Summer Red Stripe is rather larger than the Benoni, a few days 

 later in ripening, fruit is sharply conic, and is sometimes known as Sheep- 

 nose. This is a hardy tree, prolific bearer, and the fruit sells well. 



For a fancy late summer apple, probably there is nothing more showy 

 or attractive than the Chenango Strawberry; it ripens about with Summer 

 Red Stripe, looks very much like it, but the tree is quite different in ap- 

 pearance, the fruit is more highly colored, and the- flavor is quite different 

 from that of the Red Stripe. On account of its attractive appearance it 

 brings the highest price at the eating stands. 



