30 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



to give better satisfaction to the people at large, than a separate 

 fair at a different date ; as few of our people can afford the time or 

 expense to attend two exhibitions. 



Our system of judging is not what we could wish, nor can we 

 expect it to be until we can afford to engage experts from a distance 

 who are not acquainted with the exhibitors, and will be free from all 

 personal prejudice. 



Very little has ever been done in correcting mistaken nomenclature 

 at our fruit exhibits. The committee, when examining fruit, will pass 

 without comment those specimens incorrectly marked, much to the 

 dissatisfaction of the exhibitor, who cannot understand wh}' his 

 fruit was overlooked, and probably hard feelings are engendered 

 and perhaps the judges charged with favoritism. 



To prevent the loss of articles at the close of the exhibition, we 

 think it necessary to enforce the rule that no one shall be allowed 

 in the hall at that time, except those that have a pass with permission 

 to remove goods. 



There is one subject I have spoken of before, and I propose to 

 bring it before 3'ou at every opportunit3\ It is to urge this Societ}' to 

 do all in its power to induce orchardists to be more careful in sorting 

 their fruit. 



I am aware that we have a better reputation now than a few years 

 ago, but there is still room for great improvement. There is nothing 

 gained by putting half a bushel of No. 2 apples in a barrel with No. 

 1. For example, a barrel of apples as ordinarily packed will sell 

 for $1,75, from this take half a bushel of the poorer ones and refill 

 with strictl}' No. 1 apples ; the buyer will readil}^ pay $2.00 for such 

 fruit, the poorer ones will sell for half price and in this way the 

 farmer gets more monej^, the buyer is better satisfied, and, what is of 

 more importance, we shall add greatly to our reputation and our self 

 respect. 



How many fruit growers have taken the pains to ascertain how 

 much it would cost to throw out one-fourth of the poorer apples and 

 thus make up an extra lot. Let us look at the figures, with apples 

 at ^1.75 a barrel, four barrels would bring $7.00. Sorting out 

 one barrel of the smaller and imperfect apples, worth at least one 

 dollar, the balance would cost ^2.00. Onlj' 25 cents more on a 

 barrel, but worth for exporting at least fifty cents more. 



With an unusually large crop of apples for an off 3"ear, we have 

 been receiving a fair price for late-keeping varieties suitable for 



