8 



entries not past condition at the show. Fruit so far past season as to be 

 unsightly should not be shown. Winter fruits are not supposed to be of 

 mature eating quality at the fall fairs, but they should be firm and in a normal 

 stage of growth for the time of year, not too far advanced, which indicates 

 short keeping qualities, and not so immature as to suggest possible failure to 

 properly mature before frosts. 



QUALITY. 



On the score-cards quality is the combination of flavour, sweetness, texture, 

 etc., that constitutes edibility. The term includes the quality of the fruit for 

 preserving or cooking, as well as for dessert purposes. It will be noticed that 

 there is no place allowed for quality in score-cards for plates of one variety, 

 or boxes of one variety. This is because it is assumed that all exhibits of 

 one variety are equal in quality. If not, then the one more deficient in colour 

 and condition would be of least quality, and would be scored down on those 

 points. Where varieties compete against each other, however, the question of 

 quality must be considered as of primary importance, and receives a place 

 on the score-card in consequence. It is also considered in deciding on the 

 merits of collections, and is very important in giving awards for the " any 

 other variety " class, as well as that for seedlings or new varieties. 



In commercial exhibits, quality also includes shipping qualities and the 

 standing of the variety in the estimation of the market. The variety that 

 ships best and is best liked on the market gets favourable consideration on 

 these advantages. 



In deciding on quality, which, by the way. is a very hard thing to define, 

 and to quite a surprising extent a subject for a great difference of opinion, 

 the judge does not test the different varieties, but gives each a score based 

 on his knowledge of the general estimate of it. 



With seedlings and new varieties, however, it is necessary for him to 

 sample them, and make awards according to his personal judgment. 



COMMERCIAL VALUE. 



This is scored in collections only, as in box classes each variety is supposed 

 to have a class for itself. The judge does not decide on the commercial 

 value of the specimens on exhibition, but takes the general verdict of the 

 markets to which the fruit of the district normally goes as to the average 

 value of each variety. It is important to- note that the commercial value of 

 the variety as locally produced is considered, not its value as produced in 

 fruit districts in general. Where a district is not yet at the marketing stage, 

 the judge will make as correct an estimate as possible of the relative com- 

 mercial values of the varieties in competition. 



NOMENCLATURE. 



Fruits shall be correctly named. In plate fruits, where it is assumed that 

 all the plates are named (and this should be required), the judge may dis- 

 qualify for omission or misnaming. In this latter case, he will, if possible, 

 make the necessary correction. In collections, it is expected that there may 

 be some defects in nomenclature, and scoring will be based accordingly. The 

 names of varieties should be insisted on in all exhibits, and especially in 

 collections and commercial displays, because their absence greatly detracts 

 from the educational value of the decision. Labels should be neat, legible, 

 and convenient to see, but should not be pasted or pinned to the fruit. 



SEASON. 



The period of time at which fruit is edible is its season. In most seedlings, 

 or in " any other varieties," the longer-keeping variety would have the most 



