386 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



its way to the core of the apple and then the injured frnit falls to the 

 ground, and if it is not picked up by hogs and sheep, the larvae soon 

 leaves it and burrows into the ground and there spins for itself a 

 witer house, or else hatches out, producing a moth that will visit the 

 fruit in August. * 



SELECTION OF VARIETIES. 



In the selection of varieties the grower should decide on a few of 

 the best standard sorts, as too many varieties make up such mixed lots 

 that but few buyers like to handle them. In my opinion the following 

 is a good list : Early Harvest, Eed Astrachan, Summer Bellllowery. 

 Maidens Blush, Jonathan, Ben Davis, Winesap and Huntsman's Fav- 

 orite. 



GATHERING AND PACKING. 



As a rule most farmers pick and haul their apples to buyers. This 

 is all wrong. Every farmer should pack his own apples in barrels in 

 the orchard, saving a great deal of time, and the apples are delivered 

 in much better order than when hauled loose in the wagon. In gen- 

 eral it may be said that winter apples should be picked when they are 

 ripe. Ripeness is shown by the color of the ap})le8 and by the ease 

 with which they part from the tree. Apples probably keep longer 

 when picked before they are ripe, but such apples never possess the 

 flavor and criepness of fully matured fruit. 



If a person has a good cellar for keeping fruit, the apples may be 

 taken to it as soon as they are picked. Cider apples should be left on 

 the ground in piles, as they will lose some of their water and will make 

 better cider. Great care should always be taken in handling the fruit 

 in all cases, as upon that will depend the success of the apple orchard. 



JAMES AULL. 



