22 



twenty-five miles through the Valley one afternoon in spite 

 of the rain, and we asked the driver whether it always 

 rained there. "Yes," he said, "at this time of year! It 

 begins about November 1 and rains all 'the time up to the 

 middle of January, when it stiffens up and we have two 

 weeks of sleighing. Then it begins to rain again and rains 

 nearly all the time up to some time in April, and from that 

 on into May it rains part of the time. Then- it stops and 

 doesn't rain any more until the first of November." Just 

 imagine such a climate ! Eain all the time until everything 

 is soaking, the roads are gullied, and one hates the sight of 

 clouds! Then sunshine and no rain at all till the dust is as 

 thick as the mud was before, and one would give a month's 

 salary for the sight of a single cloud ! It certainly gives 

 color to their fruit, but I should think it would also give 

 color to their language ! 



My fifth impression was in regard to the work of their 

 co-operative unions. It is certainly responsible in a large 

 degree for their success. It is co-operation all along the 

 line, — buying, handling, and selling. They establish, in 

 packing, definite grades, as follows: 



Extra Fancy — In this grade all apples shall be sound, 

 smooth, free from v/orms, worm stings, scale, Avater core, 

 sun damages or diseases of any kind, and of proper shape 

 according to the variety. No apples smaller than 165s shall 

 be allowed in this grade, nor any apples that are of a red 

 variety that are not at least three-fourths red, except that 

 Rome Beauties one-half red will be taken in this grade. 

 Yellow Newtons, White Winter Pearmains, Grimes Golden, 

 Belle Flowers, Winter Bananas will be allowed in this grade, 

 but no other variety of yellow apples. AVinter Bananas and 

 Red Cheek Pippin must show a red cheek. 



Fancy — In this grade also, all apples must be smooth, 

 sound, free from bruises, blemishes, worms, worm stings, 

 water core, sun damages, or diseases of any kind, and of 

 proper shape acording to the variety. No apples smaller 

 than 165s shall be allowed in this grade, excepting apples of 

 the following varieties, which will be accepted when packed 

 as small as 200 apples to the box: Winesaps, Jonathans and 

 Missouri Pippins when red all over. All apples of red vari- 

 eties ranging in color from three-fourths red down to one- 

 third red will be included in this grade. All varieties of 

 yellow apples will be allowed in this grade. 



