No. 1.] FRUIT CULTURE. 253 



That is a source as dangerous as to have it in the nursery. 

 Some orchards are filled with San Jose scale. I believe 

 that if the scale gets into an orchard, you can only keep it 

 in control. So we have to study and work along lines of 

 control, keeping it in check, using a system of inspection 

 and fumigation. It does not injure the sale of the fruit. 



Question. Did your experience of budding the King 

 apple or Northern Spy stock prove successful ? 



Mr. Powell. In nine years of growing the King upon 

 the Spy stock there has never been the first evidence of 

 disease. The particular disease of the King is the apple 

 canker. I feel quite certain to-day that my King orchard 

 is going to be good for fifty years to come, at least. This 

 has been a very bad year for apples. Those trees grafted 

 nine years ago gave from a barrel to a barrel and a half 

 apiece, which are worth to-day in the New York market 

 not less than $6 a barrel, and $9 or $10 in Europe. 



Question. What is the nature of apple canker? 



Mr. Powell. A fungous disease that attacks the 

 branches, first dark-colored patches or spots, as big, per- 

 haps, as a five-cent piece, and increases until it becomes 

 as large as a half-dollar. Then you see patches of it work- 

 ing up and clown the branches of the trees. In a short 

 time the bark is destroyed, and the tree declines and dies. 

 I feel that the Spy stock is helping the King. It is so 

 vigorous that it has more resistance against the disease. 



Question. Is it best to keep on raising the Ben Davis 

 apple ? 



Mr. Powell. The tendency is, in New York and New 

 England, to plant the Ben Davis apple. Don't plant it 

 in New England. You can grow so much better apples, 

 apples that have better quality. The Rhode Island Green- 

 ing is much better, and will give you as many barrels as 

 the Ben Davis. The market is asking for the Rhode Island 

 Greening. Don't plant the Ben Davis when apples of 

 higher quality can be so easily grown. 



The Chair. I have the pleasure to state to the Board 

 that President H. H. Goodell will preside during the re- 

 liuiinder of the session. 



