WINTER MEETING, 1879. 37 



wish to make as much money as is possible in a legitimate way, and in order 

 to do this we must raise that which will sell for the highest price. Whv, I 

 would ask, are so many experimenting with new kinds of fruit to get some- 

 thing which excels all that has been produced before in quality and size, 

 especially tlie latter, if not to cater to the public taste and make a goodly 

 portion of that which is classed as the root of all evil, for which we are all 

 seeking and striving, some unto deatli. Have we one among us who is so 

 charitable and so benevolent that he will spend his time and money for the 

 good and pleasure of others? If so, it would be a pleasure to beliold his 

 smiling countenance ; ho might raise small apples of superior quality for the 

 benefit of the poor. But I digress. Xo farmer in this enlightened and pro- 

 gressive age and country would be considered sane who sought small, inferior 

 seed, or bought small, inferior breeds of cattle from which to breed his stock. 

 Neither would we consent to the raising of monstrosities or overgrown speci- 

 mens of any variety ; but we should not consider extra size a defect, other 

 things being equal, or discreditable either in fruit, vegetables or stock. 



We should seek to stimulate by all honorable means the growth of large 

 specimens of high color and free from all blemishes, of good quality, for such 

 is a very sure indication of healthy, thrifty trees, with rich soil and good cul- 

 tivation. 'No intelligent orchardist would be satisfied with any other results, 

 when he knows that in the markets large size, high color and perfect forms 

 are never objected to, but bring the highest price and quickest sales. 



Heavy crops of large fruit every year will not tax an orchard as much as 

 great quantities of small inferior grades on account of the seed, as stated by 

 Mr. Merriman, at Paw Paw, in this discussion which he explained very fully 

 and need not be gone over again here ; nor do I think it necessary to present 

 any new arguments in favor of large size, as, Mr. President, it is a very hard 

 thing to prove a self-evident fact by superfluous argument. 



L. B. Potter. — I scarcely understand the question. If it means to inquire 

 whether we shall raise large or medium varieties, I sliould certainly say raise 

 the medium varieties ; but if the query refers to apples of a given variety, I 

 should say raise the largest ones you can. 



Prof. Beal. — I have had my say upon this matter, and have no reason to 

 change my opinion. In different States the ideal apple of a variety varies ; 

 for instance the prize Greening of New York is smaller than the ideal Michi- 

 gan Greening, and again, the same apple grown iu Nebraska is larger than 

 when grown in Michigan. I think we will all agree tliat other things being 

 equal, an apple loses nothing by being large, but when we get the mammoth 

 apples we are not liable to find the other things equal. 



Prof. Wliitney. — Just so. I have a case in hand. Here are two plates of 

 Baldwins just taken from the exhibition tables. The larger ones are a fair 

 instance of what the tendency is when we regard size as paramount to every- 

 thing else. They are coarse grained and do not bear handling like these 

 medium sized apples. The apples for market are certainly the medium sized 

 ones. They are better to ship, and the buyers will select them in preference 

 to the very large ones. 



Mr. Gulley. — What market does the gentleman refer to? 



Mr. Whitney. — I had in mind the Chicago market. 



Mr. Gulley. — Does he mean to say that his experience in the Chicago market 

 would lead him to the opinion that the plate of smaller apples which he now 

 refers to would be picked up the quickest at the best figures? 



