No. 7. DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 511 



It has been generally conceded that the Apple Day feature at the 

 World's Fair last year was highly beneficial to all who had the re- 

 motest interest in the apple industry. There is a pronounced senti- 

 ment in the middle west of making Apple Day one of the annual 

 events to be generally observed all over the United States. 



It has been thought that the date should come in about the mid- 

 dle of each October in order to come closely in touch with the late 

 fall and winter apples and I have not heard of a single objection 

 anywhere against Oct. 17. It is not the purpose to create a holiday 

 nor to form any plan for making assessments or soliciting contri- 

 butions, the idea being, to allow each national, state and local so- 

 ciety to observe the day as they may deem best and proper. 



You are well aware that in the month of October the farmers in- 

 stitutes, county fairs and horticultural exhibitions are quite com- 

 mon all over the land and such organizations could easily make a 

 display of apples. Knowing that such a day was to be generally ob- 

 served, you can readily see that there would be a commendable 

 rivalry between societies for making creditable exhibits and also 

 among individuals in showing superior specimens. This would 

 cause a wholesome stimulus in efforts for improving fruit. It can 

 be readily anticipated that there would be a general diet of apples on 

 such a day and this would make a tremendous demand upon all hav- 

 ing supplies. It would naturally cause many interesting comments 

 of the public press and would be a powerful means of keeping the 

 apple prominently before the people. 



The average orchardist will perceive the necessity for such a 

 movement. There will be some places where there may be no pro- 

 duction of crops and growers in such a vicinity would gladly hail 

 any movement to help sell their fruit. It of course would follow 

 that it would give a profitable awakening to buyers and shippers. 

 What is respectfully asked of your association is to give a moral 

 support to the movement by adopting a resolution which would 

 carry your sanction. 



Hoping that you will look upon the matter favorably, I am, with 

 best regards. 



Yours truly, 



JAMES HANDLY, 



Secretary. 



On motion of Mr. Hiester the communication was referred to the 

 Executive Committee. 



MR. HIESTER. — Referring again to my attendance at the Horti- 

 culture meeting in in New York State last week, I want to say that 

 I concluded that in New York they are far in advance of us in Horti- 

 cultural methods. One exhibit, showing the results of spraying 

 potatoes interested me greatly, and was one of the greatest features 

 of the meeting. The results of spraying for ''Leaf Curl" and "Brown 

 Rot" were also important object lessons. It was found that when 

 San Jos(3 Scale was controlled by applications of lime, sulphur and 

 salt. Leaf Curl and Brown Rot were also kept in control. I saw 

 Pennsylvania apples there grown in the Experiment grounds, and 

 "Smokehouse" were nearly as good and well grown as in their 

 native state. As grown there, they find it almost a winter apple. 



