11 



Freedom from blemishes is important, and such things as split pit and 

 gummy pit, as in Pond's Seedling, may be easily overlooked. The greatest 

 care should be taken to have the stems intact in all varieties of plums, because 

 usually when the stem is lost the skin is broken, and decay will set in. Slight 

 skin-punctures not readily apparent will quickly lead to brown-rot in many 

 districts. Fruit should be firm and in first-class condition. If brought from 

 cold-storage it should not have any moisture condensed on it. Preferably, the 

 bloom should be preserved. The stems need not be left on prunes. 



PLATES OF SEEDLINGS AND FRUITS LISTED UNDER " ANY OTHER VARIETY." 



Size 15 



Colour 20 



Uniformity 10 



Form 15 



Freedom from blemishes 10 



Quality 25 



Season 5 



100 



These are very unsatisfactory classes to judge. Plates of seedlings, to 

 receive awards, should excel most commercial varieties under culture locally, 

 in colour, uniformity, quality, and in season, while the specimens exhibited 

 should have good commercial size, and especially should be free from all 

 blemishes. As little or nothing as to their commercial value can be told from 

 the plateful of apples, we do not consider this class of much value. 



The " any other variety " class is eminently unsatisfactory to all concerned, 

 for similar reasons. It is usual to award but one set of prizes for the whole 

 collection displayed under this heading. Many good varieties go unrecognized, 

 and their owners feel, justly, that there may be several plates each of which 

 is perfectly worthy of first prize on its variety merits. 



We recommend the abolition of this class from prize-lists. If a variety 

 is worthy of a prize, let it be featured as a variety. 



PLATE COLLECTIONS OF APPLES, PEARS, PLUMS, PEACHES, AND OTHER FRUITS 



FOR HOME ORCHARD. 



Size 5 



Colour 15 



Uniformity 10 



Form 10 



Freedom from blemish 20 



Quality 15 



Commercial value 10 



Nomenclature 5 



Season 10 



100 



In this collection, which is a very worthy one, and one which should be 

 included in ajl prize-lists, there are the same requirements for size, colour, 

 uniformity, form, freedom from blemish, and condition as are required of the 

 individual varieties in their respective plate classes. As different varieties are 

 shown in the different collections, however, their quality must be taken into 

 consideration, and this is given 15 points. Commercial value is considered to 

 the extent of 10 points, because a great part of the product of the home 

 orchard should be of value commercially to provide for the sale of excess 

 yields. A wide range of varieties over the season is desired, and so is a 



