REPORT OF THE APPLE AND PEAR CONFERENCE. G7 



the subject, I would remind them of the words " In the multitude 

 of councillors is safety ;" but, on the other hand, the more homely 

 saying equally applies, that " Too many cooks spoil the broth." In 

 other words, hear all sides, get all the advice that you can, weigh 

 the evidence, arrange your plans, and then proceed according to 

 your own judgment and common sense. 



Do not imagine that success is gained by careful prepara- 

 tion and planting alone, but ever bear in mind that fruit trees 

 require continual watching as to their varied needs, according to 

 seasons and soils, and the ravages of insect pests. But where- 

 ever vigilance, common sense, and persevering labour are be- 

 stowed upon apple culture, even upon some of the poorer and 

 heavy land it will be found a safe and most profitable industry. 



Discussion. 



Mr. Heald said he was convinced that apple-growing was 

 profitable, and he instanced two cases in Sussex where the 

 farmers had made 13 per cent, after all expenses had been paid. 

 Even with the large number of comparatively worthless sorts 

 that were grown a profit was realised, and if people would only 

 T)lant such good sorts as had been mentioned the profit would be 

 ten times as much. 



Mr. Ivatt asked whether it was better to plant varieties to 

 sell straight off the tree or sorts that would store ? 



Mr. Cannon replied that there was a great loss in growing 

 such sorts, as all came in at one time. In the early part of the 

 autumn you may see every little shop-window full of English- 

 grown apples, but after the early part of November all the fruit 

 to be seen was foreign ; he, therefore, advised to grow- several 

 varieties, and particularly such as prolonged the season. A few 

 bushels of late apples would in their season sell for more money 

 than many bushels of early ones when the markets were glutted. 



Mr. Clarke said he had attended Covent Garden Market for 

 the last thirty years, and the apples that always fetched the most 

 money were Manks' Codlin, Early Julien, and Wellington. Of 

 Manks' Codlin he could always sell any quantity, and of Early 

 Julien also. Of plums he found Pond's Seedling the most 

 profitable, it would generally sell for 18s. a bushel, and that was 

 indeed making money. He always took his fruit to market him- 

 self, and never employed a salesman. 



Mr. Cheal said that the question of planting early or late 

 sorts was one which each man must determine for himself, ac- 

 cording to his own market. It seemed, however, in reason to 

 plant a proportion of early and late — the early to catch the 

 market before the Americans came, and the late to keep up a 

 supply when the Americans were gone ; but probably the late 

 ones, if carefully stored, would give the most profit. 



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