240 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Quite a quantity of wine was on the tables, and Mr. Bradfield thought it best 

 to refer it to a committee. He said it had been stated that the President would 

 exclude all wines. He did not believe the President would do any such thing. 

 For himself he considered wines the fruit of the vine. This called President 

 Dyckman to his feet, who defined his position in a very straight-forward way, 

 and one which gave universal satisfaction. 



The President stated that he was a Good Templar, and, as such, could not 

 countenance the usfi of native wines even as a beverage. He thought, how- 

 ever, that the Society did not contemplate such uses of wine. He was aware 

 that it was often desirable to use wine as a medicine. He did not think, at any 

 rate, that he had authority to determine the matter for the Society. Unless 

 some definite action was taken against it he should follow out the custom that 

 had hitherto prevailed of appointing committees on wines when demanded. 



Mr. James Scott, of Grand Rapids, declared that he thought any discussion 

 of this matter would be unprofitable. Let the committee be appointed. The 

 discussion Avas not continued, and it Avas understood that wines would be 

 admitted to exhibition as before and referred to committees. 



THE BALDWIJSr AKD WAGENER APPLES. 



The following letter from Mjron H. Korton, of Smyrna, Ionia county, was 

 then read : 



Smyrna, Ionia Co., Mich., Jan. 31, 1873. 

 To the President of the State Pomological Society : 



Dear Sir, — I understand the Society intend to revise the list of fruits 

 recommended for cultivation in this State. Perhaps my experience may be of 

 some advantage to your Society. I take pleasure in recommending 

 the following varieties of apples as being preeminently in advance of all 

 others where the greatest combination of desirable qualities is sought, among 

 which may be mentioned hardiness, productiveness, fine quality of fruit, and 

 the most perfect fitness to meet the wants of the family, and, at the same time 

 bring the highest price in the markets of our principal cities ; for all producers 

 will have more or less of surplus fruit that will find its way to market. I 

 regard the Baldwin and "Wagener worthy above all others of heading the list, 

 and I base this opinion upon experience in my own orchard and from observa- 

 tions made in different parts of the State. The Baldwin is an old, proved, 

 standard variety, that has well stood the test, but I am confident it must soon 

 yield its place to the Wagener, the coming apple for all uses. True, the Bald- 

 win has failed in many localities ; but when it does succeed, none of the old 

 varieties have proved more profitable. Again, it is not as safe and sure while 

 growing in the nursery as many other sorts, being often injured by the cold in 

 winter and also by the bursting of the bark around the base of the tree in 

 autumn, and, for these reasons, it has not been as freely offered for sale by tree 

 dealers and nurserymen as its merits would appear to warrant. The Wagener 

 is free from these defects, being of very hardy, sure growth, an early and con- 

 stant bearer, fine keeper, the fruit sound and solid to the core, and of unques- 

 tioned good quality either for the table, cooking, or for market. I believe it com- 

 bines a greater number of good varieties and has fewer vices than any other 

 variety of apple with which I am acquainted; and, should it in the future, as 

 it has in the past, sustain the reputation it so justly bears where it is best 

 known, it must soon become the leading apple for all uses. I believe the time 

 has come when we should take into account the several good qualities of a fruit 

 and estimate its value by this standard in the same manner we would that of 



