THE FLOWERS AND FRUITS. 30 



during the period of ripening affect the ripening and 

 perfect flavor of fruits. When American fruits are shown 

 in Europe at expositions their bright coloring and flavor 

 are commented on by all visitors. Given varieties color 

 more perfectly and are richer in flavor than when grown 

 in the moister and cooler air of west Europe. In the 

 same way, apples, pears, grapes, and other fruits show 

 higher color, and are better in flavor grown west of the 

 lakes than in the moister and cooler summer air of 

 Michigan or New England. Even the size and shape of 

 apples are modified and changed by either the air or soil 

 of some of the Rocky Mountain districts. The largest 

 specimens of given varieties have been shown from these 

 regions at our expositions, and in some cases the speci- 

 mens were longer than those grown farther east, and 

 enlarged in all their parts. 



