1894.] TRANSACTIONS. 25 



all sizes and all degrees of imperfection in form, and disgraced 

 by a very considerable proportion of rotten specimens. And as 

 to flavor, the California peaches in their beautiful condition far 

 excelled the great majority of the others ; and the California 

 Bartlett pears were in no manner inferior to any Bartlett pears 

 grown anywhere. Let not the New York orchardist flatter him- 

 self any longer with the antiquated idea that California fruit is 

 ' good only to look at and to sell.' It is infinitely better to eat 

 than is an appallingly large proportion of the stufl'thathe insane- 

 ly sends to market to compete with it." 



So much for intrinsic excellence and its marketable appreci- 

 ation ! That selection counts as well, human if not natural, you 

 may judge for yourselves when you note this variation in price 

 of different lots of apples, as quoted September 24th, ult., in the 

 English prices current : 



Baldwin, $2.52, $3.84 : 



Greening, $2.64, $3.12 : 



King, $3.12, $5.76: 



Can we not spare our Kings, if they are so badly wanted and 

 so highly valued ? A month later, October 23d, when consign- 

 ments were coming in at the rate of 100,000 barrels weekly, 

 quotations were as follows : 



Baldwin, $2.68 a $3.28 : 



Greening, $1 .70 a $2.92 : 



Northern Spy, $2.31 a $3.53 : 



King, $2.06 a $3.40 : 



The prices-current circular adds a pregnant commentary, — 

 " the demand is active for sound and good quality, but the large 

 amount of inferior stock injures the market for better goods." 

 It may not flill within our province, as a Society, to undertake 

 the regulation of international commerce in apples. But it is 

 clearly our duty to take note of abuses that threaten to impair, 

 if not ultimately destroy, a market for our superabundant stores 

 of fruit which, if thrown back upon our hands for any reason, 

 would effectually swamp trade at home. Should not our orchard- 

 ists take some concerted steps to ensure honest packing, which lies 

 at the foundation of all upright dealing? Your Secretary, agree- 

 ing with Jefferson that " the world is governed too much," would 



