ITG STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



prize. By some maladjustment of the figures the prize, according to the scale 

 of points adopted, was given to the boy who always had good lessons but was 

 the most troublesome pupil in school. The secretary intimated that he was the 

 boy who took the prize, and. asked the cpiestion, whether the danger of making 

 such an error was not great enough in adopting a scale by which to judge fruit 

 and orchards to render its use a misfortune? 



President Lyon was reminded by the incident of another which was said to 

 have occurred in connection with making awards upon orchards by one of our 

 own committees some years since, when the first premium on an apple orchard 

 went to an orchard planted as stocks upon which to graft some market variety, 

 the grafting not having been done. 



Judge llamsdell. — In judging fruits I would have but one point, and that 

 an answer to the question each committeeman should put to himself: "If I 

 were going to buy, which would I take?" 



Prof. Beal. — I like that; and still I would have a scale in mind to aid him 

 in answering the question of which he would purchase. 



!Mr. Coryell, Jonesville. — I would certainly have a scale of points in mind 

 when judging fruits and orchards, but this scale must be elastic and vary with 

 locality and purpose. In other words, one must have an ideal type and its 

 characters before him when he passes judgment, as a measure. 



President Lyon had great faith in a scale of points when properly adjusted, 

 and thought we might attain to it, but it might be required to have a separate 

 scale for market and for family and dessert fruits. 



Judge Ramsdell said the logical outcome of this v/ould be a scale of points for 

 each fruit, and one must be bristling with points to suit all circumstances and 

 varieties. 



Mr. Stearns doubted if a scale could be made that would be at all available 

 with collections of fruits. 



Mr. Johnstone said the term ''scale of points" could not properly be ap- 

 plied to characters of fruits ; it was a misnomer. The description of samples 

 that are types, as given by Downing, Warder or Thomas, is all the assistance 

 one needs in passing judgment upon fruits. The question simply will occur, 

 upon how near the specimen in hand approaches the ideal? 



So thought Mr. A. G-. Gulley. Apples are distinct in their characteristics, 

 and he thought a scale of points applicable to all varieties, was impossible. 



Mr. liuell thought a scale nothing less than an incumbrance to a commit- 

 teeman, and Judge liamsdell's test was the best one possible. 



On motion the society took a recess until half -past one o'clock. 



Afternoon Session. 



Before proceeding with the regular order, upon request. Judge llamsdell de- 

 scribed his fruit-house, which was, in brief, a building provided witii a filling 

 of sawdust between tlie outside and the sheathing. Next was a space filled with 

 ice, and the fruit, stored in the inner rooms, kept till July 1st, having been 

 put in at spring-time. "When put in, the fruit was worth only fifty cents per 

 bushel, but he sold it for 81.50 when he took it out. Peaches were kept equally 

 well. 



The society next listened to reports of committees, and Superititondents at 

 State Fairs and other officers. 



The first paper received was the 



