i86 State Horticultural Society. 



IN FAVOR OF BEN DAVIS. 



C. H. Weaver, ex-president of the International Shippers' Association, 

 in a letter to Louis Erb, takes the following rational view of the Ben Davis 

 apple: "We notice the account of the attack on the Ben Davis apples. 

 The parties who assail this variety of apple so vigorously do not seem 

 to realize that it is the one best suited to the soil and climate of the South- 

 west, and that there is no other all round commercial variety that could 

 be substituted. If the Ben Davis apples were not grown the Baldwin 

 and Greening belt would have its old-time sway, and the public would 

 be compelled to do without apples on account of the price. It is the one 

 variety that meets the requirements of the soil and climate in a certain 

 Strip of our country, and there would be more howling for want of it than 

 there is now against it should the horticulturists discontinue growing 

 it." — ^Practical Fruit Grower. 



"Angel Food" was printed on the bill of fare of a hotel where a far- 

 mer's convention was held. "What is that?" asked an investigator. 

 "Baked apples!" promptly replied a member of the Apple Consumers' 

 League. 



GRADING AND SELLING APPLES. 



(Address of President of International Apple Shippers' Association, C. H. Weaver.) 



While it is true that there is a large demand for medium grades of 

 apples at low prices, which it is the duty of the trade to supply, an in- 

 creasing number of the consuming public are calhng for an extra .quality. 

 This is an effect of the pure food agitation, increased prosperity, and the 

 more general distribution of wealth. The grower and packer of oranges, 

 pineapples, peaches, cantaloupes, tomatoes and other fruits and vege- 

 tables are bending their energies to offer each season a more attractive 

 and superior article. Our southern growers, many of whom are located 

 in Cuba, are placing their products in the hands of the consumer for eight 

 or ten months out of the twelve, while a decade ago they were compet- 

 itors only for three or four months. The attractive substitute is taken 

 in preference to a scabby, ill-appearing apple, and we must at least keep 

 pace, or the king of fruits will be compelled to take a lower position with 

 diminished consumption and declining popularity. 



A closer system of grading must be insisted upon by our buyers. 

 At least half of the apples we are placing in cold storage should be mar- 



