116 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Jan. 7th, 1858, by B. Hathaway. It was favorably reported upon by the 

 Society's committee, and at the suggestion of Mr. Hathaway, received the above 

 Dame from the place of its origin. lb was described under this name and such 

 description published in the Michigan Farmer, Vol. 16 at page 49, 



This fruit has also been somewhat known as the Ball apple, doubtless from 

 the name of the originator. 



It has also been considerably disseminated from a local nursery under the 

 name of Eubicon ; and we learn that it has also become known (in Wisconsin 

 if we mistake not), as "Western Baldwin. 



A very full history of this apple was a few years since published in a Paw 

 Paw newspaper, a copy of which was sent to the chairman of this committee 

 and was by him forwarded to Mr. Chas. Downing, but as no copy was retained 

 we are obliged to rely upon memory for the above facts. This history became 

 the source whence Mr. D. drew the notice of his fruit, which will be found at 

 page 299 of the latest revised edition of his work on fruits. 



THE ROMAKITE. 



During a visit to our State, two years since, Mr. Downing's attention was 

 drawn to an apple long known in eastern Michigan as Romanite, which, on 

 account of its keeping qualities, together with its hardiness and great produc- 

 tiveness has proved very profitable ; although it should be added, that it is 

 never really fit to either eat or cook, and only sells in the market after 

 other and better sorts have disappeared. Circumstances created the impression 

 that it might prove indentical with a fruit somewhat grown at the west as 

 Black Vandevere; and partially for the purpose of solving that question, speci- 

 mens were last fall sent to Mr. Downing, without, however, settling the above 

 question. Recently, during a visit to his place by F. R. Elliott, of Ohio, an 

 examination of these specimens was had, of "which Mr. D. writes as follows : 

 "Elliott says it is the same as May Seek-No-Further of Downing's new edition, 

 page 270, and he has known it in the west for many years, and has a tree of it 

 on his grounds that brings him more money every other year, than the same 

 space of ground of anything else he cultivates ; but says the fruit is worthless 

 to eat or cook. He also says the tree is a very upright grower, until it is 

 quite old, when it droops a little at the ends of the branches." 



The above so perfectly describes and characterizes the tree and fruit as 

 grown in eastern Michigan, that we are entirely satisfied of the correctness of 

 Mr. Elliott's conclusion. 



We may add, that the tree is one of the most satisfactory in both the nur- 

 sery and orchard ; it being upright, vigorous, healthy and eminently hardy. If 

 it is desired to employ root grafts as stocks on which to top work less hardy or 

 vigorous varieties it is confidently believed that no other variety will be found 

 superior, or even equal to this, for such purpose. 



T. T. LYON, Chairman. 



Battle Creek, February, 1873. 



