THE APPRAISAL OF THE APPLE-TREE 109 



of two or more collections of varieties is altogether most 

 worthy of a prize. In these cases, the dififerent fruits or 

 collections may be scored by the card, and the total foot- 

 ings determine where the award shall go. Or, the dif- 

 ferent entries may be judged in general, "by the eye;" 

 this is the usual method, and is satisfactory in the hands 

 of persons whose standing and experience carry convic- 

 tion. 



If one is to evaluate an apple-tree against a scale or 

 code, these are some of the features, in relative order of 

 importance, to be considered : 



1. Whether the tree is typical of the variety, in shape, 

 manner of growth, character of foliage and bloom. 



2. Whether it is sound of all injury and disease, and 

 free of blemish. 



3. Whether it is duly vigorous and productive. 



4. Whether its fruit is characteristic of the variety or 

 kind. 



5. Whether the pruning has been good ; the thinning ; 

 the spraying. 



6. Whether the performance of the tree has fulfilled 

 reasonable expectations. 



The judging of fruits is facilitated by such score- 

 cards and explanations as the follov^ring: 

 1. For comparison of dififerent dessert varieties. 



Conformation 10 



Size 5 



Color 20 



Core 5 



Uniformity 5 



Durability (keeping) 10 



