PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 241 



were destroyed every season where insulated rods were used. 

 He also offered arguments in favor of his position. 



Some very interesting opinions on the subject were being ad- 

 vanced by Prof. Nash, when the discussion was interrupted by 

 the announcement that it was two o'clock, at which hour the club 

 adjourns. The subject was, however, continued until the meet- 

 ing on next Monday. 



HENRY MEIGS, Secretary. 



October 22, 1860. j 

 Present, 56 members. Mr. Wm. Lawton in the chair. 

 During the hour allotted to miscellaneous matters, the follow- 

 ing subjects were introduced : 



" THE RAG APPLE." 



Solon Robinson. — I have a letter foom A. S. Avery, Morris, 

 Otsego, County, N. Y., giving the history of a very excellent 

 sweet apple, which he supposes peculiar to that locality, called 

 the " rag apple," from the circumstance of a rag grown into the 

 original tree. He says : 



The tree is a remarkaby thrifty grower and bearer. The 

 sample I send you is picked up promiscuously from a pile, and 

 not sorted for the occasion. They will be in their prime next 

 month, and will keep good till April. The cores are not large, 

 and the skin thin as an onion. When fully ripe they are quite 

 mellow and juicy, and the people in this vicinity frequently slice 

 them up and eat them with cream and sugar, the same as peaches. 

 I have no trees to sell, but any person having friends in this 

 section of the country, can readily obtain a few scions. 



I received the box alluded to before I did the letter, and not 

 knowing what the apples were sent for, and having an abundance 

 and to spare at home, I distributed them in The Tribune oflSce, 

 where they were eaten with satisfaction. I took two or three 

 home for comparison, and find that I have three trees which, if 

 not identical with the rag apple tree; produce fruits so near like 

 that apple that I can't tell the difference. I have brought a 

 sample of mine, for which I have no name, and I esteem it one of 

 the best apples for baking that I ever saw, and it is very pleasant 

 to eat out of hand. It has been in daily use in my house for two 

 months, and the apples look as though they would keep well 

 another month. It has a thin, white, wax-polished skin, with a 



