THE PENINSULA. FARMERS' CLUB. 463 



being a bad bearer, but do not think it should be condemned on account of 

 Mr. Curtis' experience. I have one tree which has borne full and well for five 

 years. This is not a productive variety. Those of Mr. Parker are healthy; else- 

 where in this region they have done well, and I believe that with good care 

 they will succeed well here. Nevertheless, I agree with Mr. Curtis that nothing 

 in favor of the growth of this apple for market should go out from this club. 



Mr. Avery.— It appears that the Esopus Spitzenburg requires a strong, dry 

 soil and warmth. They do best on the side of a hill sloping to the east, and 

 will not bear well on sandy soil. I do not believe they will do well under the 

 influence of the low temperature of this country. At this date my Baldwins 

 are in the last stage of maturity, whereas my G-olden Eussets are deliciously 

 crisp and juicy. I recommend planting Golden Russets largely, and if later 

 we wish to change them, we can do so by top grafting. I would to-day as soon 

 risk my last dollar in planting Golden Russets as invest it in any railroad 

 stock, and should consider the former investment less speculative than the lat- 

 ter. The day is not far distant when this apple will command a higher price, 

 instead of a dollar lower as at present, than any other apple in the market. 



HOW TO HANDLE APPLES. 



Old Mission, Nov. 7, 1874. 



Monthly meeting of the club on the evening of this day. President Savage 

 in the chair. 



Mr. Avery. — One word as to pruning. I saw a very intelligent man who 

 proposed to cut out the leader when his trees had attained the height say of 

 eight feet. Here we practice a different system. I should like to ask Mr. 

 Parmelee as to his experience on the subject. 



^[r. Parmelee. — Have never been anything but an orchardist, and if I am 

 well settled on any subject it is that we should always preserve a leader. 



Mr. Tracy. — This tea-saucer system of pruning is derived from the English 

 practice, where perhaps from their damp climate it may be the better way. 

 American writers have copied from English authorities, and so the practice 

 has grown r.p among ns. 



Mr. Parmelee. — I noticed fruit when in the south part of the State, and also 

 at Traverse Citv, and I know how fruit has been handled. Now, when men 

 are new in the business it is not to be expected they should know all about 

 these things, but when I was in Traverse City I saw Northern Spies good 

 enough to bring ten dollars per barrel next spring, really not as good as Indian 

 apples. They were full of little dents and would not keep at all. This is not 

 peculiar to this section. I have seen the same thing elsewhere and for years. 

 If a man should handle his other crops in that way what would you saj of 

 him ? Handle your apples like eggs, — yes, if eggs were worth five dollars each. 

 Handle your apples as you would eggs at that price. 



Mr. Barney. — I have had experience in handling apples and know that Mr. 

 Parmelee tells the truth. Not one farmer in ten can be trusted to handle 

 fruit. Have instructed farmers to pick carefully by hand and let the basket 

 down into the barrel as far as possible, yet they would not do so. Once as I 



