No. 4.] VARIETIES OF APPLES. 45 



Tree. (1) Heavy Bearer. — I have rated this higher for 

 the general market than for the special, because we do grow 

 varieties for the latter which are not especially heavy bearers, 

 because their quality is such that it pays to grow them. In 

 any case it is important that we get the fruit ; nothing is more 

 discouraging than an unproductive orchard. 



Tree. (;2) Early Bearer. — This needs little discussion. 

 One of the great difficulties in getting men to set apple or- 

 chards is the length of time it requires to bring them into 

 bearing. If they came in in two to four years, as peaches do, 

 we should see far more apple trees planted. Those varieties 

 which do come in relatively early are correspondingly wel- 

 come. I have rated this the same for both markets, because it 

 seems to me that it is almost equally important. Possibly we 

 could aiford to plant for the special market varieties which 

 are a little slower in coming into bearing, if their quality 

 warranted it. 



Tree. (3) Healthy and Vigorous. — This is certainly 

 equally important for both markets, and needs no discussion 

 here. The connnon ailments which would lower the standing 

 of a variety here would be susceptibility to canker, to apple 

 scab on the twigs, a tendency to winter-kill, etc. 



Fruit. (4) Fair Size. — I have given this double im- 

 portance for the general market, as we frequently grow special 

 varieties, as the Lady, Fameuse and Pomme Grise, for the 

 special market, if their quality warrants it, when their size 

 would condemn them for the general market ; but it is cer- 

 tainly a fact that a fair-sized apple has the advantage, other 

 things being equal. 



Fruit. (5) Good Color. — I suppose this is practically 

 equivalent to saying " red color," but not quite, as some yellow 

 apples are more attractive than others. It seems to me that 

 the craze for red apples is just as insane a notion as that for 

 red Short-Horn cattle, or for Jerseys with a black tongue. 

 But the craze is here, and the red apple sells better, particu- 

 larly in the general market, than any other color. 



Fruit. (6) Good Quality. — This is a crucial point with 

 the special market, and I believe that it ought to be given 

 more weight than is usual with the general market, particu- 



