3o6 State Horticultural Society. 



rieties of far higher table quaHty. Now, this Society must not mis- 

 understand me. I admit all the good things that have ever 

 been said about the Ben Davis apple. It has brought prosperity to 

 thousands, and where truly at home, its quality is considerably better 

 than when grown at its northern limits, where the season is too short to 

 ripen the fruit properly. But we must also admit that many critical 

 consumers of apples are beginning to discriminate against it in the 

 markets. Fancy Jonathans capture the market when the two varieties 

 come into competition. In a certain town in South Dakota this fall 

 some barrels of fancy Esopus Spitzenburg from New York were of- 

 fered along with some Ben Davis from Missouri and other states. The 

 Esopus Spitzenburg, as you all know% is of the highest quality ; is con- 

 sidered to be the parent of the Jonathan, and with the same spicy, 

 rich satisfying flavor. The world knows of nothing better in apple 

 quality. They sold at $8.00 per barrel, the Ben Davis at $4.00 or less. 

 Does this not indicate that quality counts in the market? Hand-picked 

 well-sprayed Jonathans and similar choice varieties sell at fancy prices 

 in the New York City markets. The grower who could grow apples 

 as choice as Early Joe, Dyer, Jefferies, Grimes Golden, Newtown Pip- 

 pin, Jonathan and Esopus Spitzenburg as cheaply as he can apples of 

 lower quality w'ould capture the markets. But the winter varieties 

 must be as good keepers as Ben Davis. 



We have neglected extra early apples. On the way back through 

 Canada from a trip to California early last September I visited Win- 

 nipeg. In the markets I found fine Yellow Transparents shipped in 

 flat crates like peaches, and sold at a good round price. They w^ere 

 raised in Eastern Canada. Why should the southern apple growers 

 give up the northern markets for a considerable part of the year to the 

 banana and orange? A juicy, tender-fleshed early summer apple, of 

 good quality, is far better at any time than a banana or prematurely 

 picked orange, at least to my taste. But I sigh for them in vain. The 

 extra early summer apple market is not organized, and it may need a 

 growers' organization, as well organized as the banana trust, before it 

 would be safe to do anything with early apples. But again, high qual- 

 ity, as well as attractive appearance, would count. Certain apples now 

 neglected would receive merited recognition. 



DISEASE RESISTANCE. 



Spraying is only a temporary means of restoring the balance of 

 nature. In time we must develop varieties resistant to scab and other 

 fungi, and in a measure to the attacks of various insects. In Australia 

 it has been discovered that the Northern Spy root is resistant to the 



