The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1907-03-15

Just say Sneep anu Her SlolndSh AopSAS
instantly I think the flavor of the
Spencer seedless apple pretty good, but
it is tough and woody, small, and not
attractive in appearance, and I do not
see how it can ever be a commercial
success.
While I am in the commenting mood
I wish to further say that 1 can con-
ceive how an honest man can be led
to believe that the fact that an apple
is seedless or reported to be such,
could be induced to invest money in
it's propagation, but when he finds
that it cannot be a commercial sue
cess and is neither bloomless nor worm
less, and only partially seedless, then
he can go ahead and sell the trees at 81
or SO apiece and still feel that he is
performing an honest transaction, well,
that puzzles me.
H E. Van Deman told me during
the Portland fair how a man came to
him and informed him that he had
been led to invest money in the propa--
CATION of this seedless apple, believ-
ing it to be very valuable apple for
commercial purposes, but after talking
with Van Deman and others he had
become doubtful as to it's merits. Then
he asked the distinguished pomolo-
gist what he ought to do. He was in
structed to come right out and admit
that he was mistaken and pocket his
loss or he would never be able to
look an honest man in the face and
say "seedless applet" Whether the man
took Van Deman's advice or not, 1 am
not informed. No honest man can
ever make another man suffer for his
mistakes if he can remedy them, with
out having a serious tussle with his
conscience. Better do right and look
men in the face than to do wrong be-
caue there is money in the business.
After writing the foregoing I re-
ceived a communication from Charles
Kirk, manager Of the Spencer Seed
less Apple Co., Of Everett, Wash, in
which he complains Of some things
appearing in The Ranch concerning
this apple. His chief contention is
that Charles Waters did not furnish
Spencer with his start Of the seed
less apple. I know nothing about this
matter expect what Mr.. Waters says
I have asked Mr.. Kirk to tell US
where Mr.. Spencer did get the first
seedless apple trees, and when he
does, we will publish what ne has TO
say. All we care about are the facts
in the case.
By the way the seedless apple con-
troversy is likely to come to close
for I see in the Rural New Yorker, OF
March 2, that the Spencer Seedless
Apple company have withdrawn many
of the extravagant claims put forth
for this apple some two or more
years ago. While I still think some
of their claims can not be supported
by the facts Of the case, yet l am
free to say that If nothing more had
been claimed for this apple in the
first place than what is claimed now
no very serious objections would
have been raised against this apple.
The company now says tnat some or
the criticisms were entirely justi-
fed" That the trees are hardy and
vigorous growers, and that the apples
will keep we'll and stand long ship
ment no one will dispute. The ques-
ton Of the quality of the fruit is a
matter upon which even competent
men will disagree, but this is just as
true of other apples as Of the seed
less. Whether it will be profitable
commercial variety can be settled
when it comes to the test. The only
practical matter then is whether 1T is
wise for any one to spend much money
for any fruit whose commercial value
is in dispute. Each one must Judge
for himself in such matters. So far
as am concerned 1 would not plant
any new fruit extensively till L had
tested it's value. prove al things;
hold fast to that which is goo3;' is
safe rule to go by I may nave Some
thing more to say about some Of these
matters in future issues Of The Ranch