248 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



raw about a barrel a week, and for sauce and stewing 

 another barrel. I expect this winter to use more. I am 

 using now for eating apples what is called the Spitz, for 

 which I am paying 15 cents a dozen. Go ahead, brother; 

 give us a good flavored apple, uniform in size and conve- 

 nient package, and you will have done more for posterity 

 than many men with their millions." 



Here is a clear indication of the tastes and demands of 

 the consumer, which it will be wise for the producer to rec- 

 ognize. The question of varieties must be left to each 

 section to determine ; and there is a most valuable field 

 open to young men to begin systematic Avork in hybridiz- 

 ing and producing new seedlings that may give some new 

 and very desirable kinds, combining most of the excellent 

 qualities desired. Sutton Beauty, Rhode Island Greening, 

 Baldwin, Mackintosh Red, Pound Sweet, are among the 

 best apples for New England, and for these there will al- 

 ways be a great demand. 



While the subject of spraying has been very fully dis- 

 cussed, its importance is comparatively little understood. 

 One of the first objects in spraying is to secure in the tree 

 the greatest vigor and thrift, and this can be obtained only 

 from a healthy and perfect foliage. The fungicide is of 

 equal if not of greater value than the insecticide. Upon 

 the condition of the foliage of trees depends the keeping 

 and all good qualities in the fruit. This is of utmost im- 

 portance in our export trade. Much of the loss that comes 

 from shrinkage, known as slacks, wet and wasty, is with ap- 

 ples that have been grown upon trees that have had de- 

 fective foliage caused by fungous attacks and injured by 

 insects. Fruit from such trees will have poor flavor, poor 

 color and poor shipping and keeping qualities. Spraying, 

 then, should be most thoroughly done, and materials should 

 be properly made, and trees sprayed regularly every year. 

 It is a mistake not to spray trees in off' years, or when they 

 are not bearing much fruit. The spraying should begin 

 from the time the trees are set, for during the years of 

 early growth they are equally subject to fungous and insect 

 attack, and are much weakened by the time they begin to 



