308 Report of the Department of Horticulture of the 



Spitzenburg, Grimes, Hubbardston, Jonathan, Peck Pleasant, 

 Ralls, Red Canada, Smith Cider, Swaar, Tompkins King, 

 Wagener, Westfield, and Winesap. 



The fact that many of the varieties named are less popular than 

 they once were and that other apples famous in their day have 

 disappeared, argues nothing. Varieties thus drop out because 

 they are outclassed by newcomers. Of the sorts named, 

 some will be cited as lacking in vigor, as " losing in consti- 

 tution." These, it will be found, have been " defectives " or " un- 

 manageables " from the start. It was the great excellency of 

 their product that originally brought them from the limbo of un- 

 named seedlings. Varieties disappear in localities, too, because 

 they are out of harmony with their surroundings. 



The fruit-grower sees individual trees wearing out and jumps 

 to the conclusion that the variety is running down. Individual 

 trees wear out by the million because of neglect, unsuitable soil, 

 insects and diseases. The effects of the causes named can no more 

 be attributed to degeneracy than the ills and ailments of mankind 

 due to poor diet, care and surroundings can be said to come from 

 degeneracy in mankind. 



It is true, as every nurseryman well knows, that debility in the 

 parent stock is transmitted in some degree to the succeeding gen- 

 eration — a matter of feed and not of breed — but this effect does 

 not continue through more than a few years if the cause be re- 

 moved. The weakling from a poorly nourished bud usually out- 

 grows its frailness and none of it is passed on to future gen- 

 erations. 



From all evidence to be had it would seem that the fruit- 

 grower is safe in assuming that for practical purposes varieties of 

 apples do not degenerate. Neither do they change. Vigor cannot 

 be permanently increased, nor characters resulting from environ- 

 ment added, by using the sieve of selection. But through the 

 horn of plenty, vigor can be increased for the generation in 

 hand and trees may be made to take on for the time being 

 new and oftentimes valuable characters. Abundance of food, 



