60 



Fruit. (6) Good Quality. — This is a crucial point witli 

 the special market, and I believe that it ought to be given 

 more weight than is usual with the general market, particu- 

 larly here in Massachusetts. We can grow apples of the 

 highest quality ; some other sections cannot. If we must com- 

 pete with those sections (and we certainly must), why should 

 we throw away this advantage by trying to grow Ben Davis ? 

 Even in the general market quality is appreciated, as any one 

 will see by watching the market prices and observing the rela- 

 tive difference in price of Mcintosh and even as good a va- 

 riety as the Baldwin. 



Fruit. (7) Keeps well. — There is undoubtedly a mar- 

 ket for early apples, and yet, as a rule, the price rises as the 

 season advances. In years when the crop is large and the 

 price is low it is frequently the late winter sorts which bring 

 the balance out on the right side. This is less important now 

 that cold storage has become more perfect, but certainly it is 

 still worth considering. 



Fruit. (S) Ships well. — This is also less important 

 than in former years, for methods of packing and shipping 

 have improved greatly; still, it is even yet important, for if 

 a variety ships well it requires less time and expense in hand- 

 ling, and it is more likely to come on; the market in a uni- 

 formly good condition. 



Let us now turn to a consideration of the individual varie- 

 ties listed, considering them on the basis of the above score 

 card. 



(1) Baldwin. — The Baldwin is a chance seedling which 

 was found at Wilmington, near Lowell, Mass., and there are 

 few things which Massachusetts has more cause to be proud 

 of than having originated the Baldwin. The tree is a strong 

 grower, long-lived and vigorous, making a round-headed top 

 of excellent shape, and is in most respects an ideal tree. It 

 is hardy except in very severe climates. It does not come 

 into bearing early, ranking about with the Gravenstein in this 

 respect. As a rule, seven or eight years are required, under 

 even good conditions, to bring it into profitable bearing. The 

 tree is somewhat subject to canker, though not very seriously 



