THE PENINSULA. FARMERS' CLUB. 443'- 



under good cultivation were affected by scab, when my neighbor's, grown on 

 older trees that had received little or no cultivation, were perfectly free from it ? 



Mr. Parmelee. — "Was the ground rich where your trees were? 



Mr. B. Montague. — Not remarkably so. My observation leads me to believe 

 that there exists an inherent pre-disposition to scab in certain varieties of ap- 

 ples, which no treatment will overcome. Eussets are generally free from it. 

 My Greenings were also smooth last year. Some other varieties were scabby- 

 Mr. Parmeiee. — There are two phenomena in apples which are often con- 

 founded. The " scab,'' resembling that mossy formation apparent on rocks, 

 and a discoloration, beginning in a cloudy appearance of the surface, — the 

 latter particularly noticeable on apples grown in the interior. I will not un- 

 dertake to assign any cause for these phenomena, but suppose them due to 

 some climatic influence, creating spasmodic growth in the tree, — the same in- 

 fluence which causes rust on wheat. I have remarked that in seasons when the 

 temperature is uniform we find little or no scab, but when on the contrary the 

 season is variable, producing sudden rises and falls of temperature, and caus- 

 ing spasmodic growth of the trees, it is abundant. The same is noticeable in 

 spring wheat. Extreme heat produces rust; and I have noticed that where 

 leaf blight is found it will be observed that the growth of the tree has been 

 checked. I will say that I have never found leaf blight on Golden Russet 

 trees. 



Mr. Porter. — My Snow apple and Winter Pippin have been affected with 

 scab the last three or four years. I believe this discoloration is caused by 

 "honey-dew," from the fact that apples on which it is found are most fre- 

 quently spotted on the upper side. 



Mr. P. Tracy. — I would ask Mr. Porter what produces " honey-dew." 



Mr. A. Montague. — Prof. Walsh states that "' honey-dew " is an exudation 

 from the aphis or plant louse. 



Mr. Parmelee. — In speaking of winter apples I have not mentioned varie- 

 ties. It would, perhaps, be Avell for us to consider which is the best variety for 

 us to plant. We do not want a second or third class apple such as half the 

 varieties grown; there is not as much profit in them as we should reaHze. 

 We want a first-class apple, possessing most of the qualities which go to con- 

 stitute a perfect winter apple. I would like to hear the experience of others 

 with regard to the excellencies of different varieties. 



Mr. Ladd. — The Spitzeuburg requires a heavy clay soil. 



Mr. B. Montague. — For a cooking apple I consider Greening No. 1, Baldwin 

 No. 2. The latter begins to rot from the core in April, and is consequently not 

 the apple for our late market. Russets are good keepers, but their want of color 

 is against them. The Wagener is a good eating apple from January to August. 

 Tree grows small and bears early and heavily. Red Canada is another apple 

 that is a good keeper and bearer. 



Mr. Parmelee. — With regard to winter apples, we must not merely consider 

 which is the most profitable for ten years, nor must we too hastily reject a good 

 apple because it does not sell readily here from want of color. We must look 

 beyond that period of time, and our local market. If we can raise a high 

 flavored apple, good for culinary and eating purposes, it will sell in foreign 

 markets without regard to color. If we can rank our Golden Russets with 

 Newtown Pippins we can't do wrong to run on it. Grime's Golden Pippin 

 has been mentioned as the best quality of apple. I have some in bearing, and 

 although I do not attach much value to the recommendations of nurserymen, 



