50 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



THE ONE BEST APPLE. 



President Lyon inquired for opinions upon the query: If all the apples 

 were stricken from tlie list save one ^vhat one would we choose to save for 

 ^lichigan? 



Mr. Bitely. — From my present experience in the market and the home — for 

 dessert, cooking and all uses, considering the tree as well as the fruit, I should 

 take the Baldwni. 



Mr. Selover. — The Baldwin has many points of merit, but I would want a 

 hardier tree and a fruit of better quality, hence would save the Northern Spy. 



Judire Lawton. — I would acfree with the c^entleman in his choice. 



Mr. Harrison, Kalamazoo. — I should choose the Wagener, because the tree 

 is smaller and bears earlier in addition to the good qualities of the Spy. 



Messrs. Williams, Dorr and Pearsall chose the Baldwin as their favorite. 



Mr. Avery, Grand Traverse. — The Wagener will suit more tastes than either 

 of the others mentioned. The Baldwins are in poorer condition, as to health 

 of tree, than almost any other variety in tlie state. 



Mr. Merriman said he was glad the opinion of any man was not final in this 

 matter, — even his own — still his choice would be tlie Wagener. 



Mr. Chilson thought he should choose his location and save the old Khode 

 Island Greening. 



Prof. Tracy upon being urged to give his opinion said — I can not answer — 

 unless the conditions of existence, the wants, the uses of the fruit are also de- 

 fined. My choice would vary materially with localities and various other cir- 

 cumstances. It is impossible to speak my mind without circumscribing my 

 condition of life. 



Mr. Lyon. — One reason in asking the question is to get at the best variety. 

 We aim at this in our arrangement of classes in the premium list. It is desira- 

 ble to bring out opinions as to first, second, third, and fourth best, wliich are 

 based upon actual experience. I could not choose the Wagener because of the 

 peculiar tendency to overbear, nor the Baldwin because it lacks hardiness. I 

 rather favor the Northern Spy. 



THE KNIFE AND THE YELLOWS. 



Judge Lawton asked what precaution should be taken in pruning peach trees 

 so as not to disseminate the yellows. 



Prof. Beal thought this a very important matter, inasmuch as a tree might 

 have the yellows enough to impart the disease and still not exhibit any signs of 

 it distinguishable to the eye. lie thought an alcohol lamp could be taken 

 along by the pruner, and the blade of the implement be passed through the 

 flame after finishing each tree. 



Mr. Tracy said he had used crude carbolic acid for similar purposes with 

 good effect. The liquid could be purchased very cheaply, and a can or pail of 

 it could be carried about the orchard in case of pruning, and between trees tlie 

 implement could be dipped in the acid. 



Mr. Bitely. — Would there bo any doubt about this material being effectual 

 in killing any germs of the disease that might adhere to the knife? 



Prof. Beal. — I think none at all; and this would be a better choice than the 

 lamp. 



Mr. Tracy. — I employed the liquid in a single case of pear blight that was 

 found in my orchard. I cut the diseased limb below the blighted part, and 



