CONFERENCE ON FRUIT-GROWING. 



75 



' Peasgood's Nonsuch ' and the firm -fleshed 1 Bramley ' down to the 

 1 Easter Pippin ' (French Crab) and ' Old Northern Greening.' Con- 

 sequently there are a number of varieties which naturally under fair 

 conditions produce a fair proportion of fruits of special grade and a 

 very large percentage of first grade, the remainder being mainly 

 second grade, accompanied by a few only of third grade. Of this 

 type of apple there ar j ' Annie Elizabeth,' ' Beauty of Kent,' 

 ' Alfriston,' ' Bismarck,' 1 Blenheim,' 1 Bramley,' ' Charles Ross,' 

 1 Ecklinville,' 1 Encore,' ' Emperor Alexander,' * Gloria Mundi/ 

 ' Grenadier,' ' Hambling's,' ' Lady Henniker,' ' Loddington,' ' Lord 

 Derby,' 1 Lord Grosvenor,' ' Mere de Menage,' 1 W. Wilks,' and 

 1 Warner's King.' Other culinary apples may mainly be classed as 

 first grade when good of their variety, the next size may be second 

 grade, and the remainder third grade. But there is a group which 

 is smaller than the group just mentioned ; and as many of them are 

 not likely to be profitable to grow, I refrain from naming them, because 

 many old varieties must be discarded and replaced by better. This 

 reminds me of an opinion expressed by the late Mr. John Wright 

 many years ago, to the effect that small kitchen apples were too 

 expensive either to grow or to buy, because when they were peeled 

 and cored there was very little left of the apple. 



In conclusion, may I offer one word of advice and encouragement 

 to those who have not yet begun to grade their fruit before offering 

 it for sale ? I would say to them — Try it, and if disappointed, try 

 again. And again, try, if again disappointed. And if disappoint- 

 ment again comes, and you are sure the failure is not your own fault — 

 try another salesman or another market. Send first-class fruit to 

 a first-class market. 



The Chairman then announced that the meeting was open for a 

 general discussion. If anybody wished to emphasize any of the 

 points raised they could do so, or, if they disagreed with the views of 

 any of the speakers, he should be pleased to hear what they had to 

 say, because disagreement often led to more light being thrown on 

 a subject. 



Mr. Jones : I should like to ask Professor Salmon if there is any 

 effective remedy for American mildew on the gooseberry, and secondly 

 if he has recognized the Portugal Laurel as a host for 'silver leaf.' 



Professor Salmon : American gooseberry mildew can be kept off 

 the fruit by the employment of washes. The lime-sulphur wash at 

 summer strength can be put on as a preventive before the mildew 

 comes, and can be continued for a fortnight or three weeks with 

 safety, until it interferes with the marketing. Then I should ask 

 you to try the ammonium polysulphide, which leaves no deposit, 

 and will keep your dessert varieties free from mildew. After the fruit 

 has been picked you can give the bushes a lime-sulphur spray. Give 

 them a good spraying and then leave them. Then as early as possible 

 in the autumn start tipping the diseased shoots. It will not interfere 



