The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-18
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

A month or two ago met man at the Tutwiler and found out he was a .pomologist. and I went into one of the private dining rooms and heard him talk before conference of fruit growers on his speciality.
 Now, l am not going into the literature of the apple for it extends too far back. I have no desire to rehash the Garden of Eden story, or to hold it against mother that she tempted Adam. It seems too long to hold a grudge.
 It is not, within my purpose to wan der amidst the Greek legends and retell the story of how Helen got the apple and of all the trouble it brought about Let those who love the stories of the old gods reread it if they have an appetite for it.
 am not thinking of apples now from a historical or literary or poetical stand point but from the commercial side, for it is a big industry and is rapidly being put on a sure enough business basis by being handled in an intelligent and systematic way from the planting of the orchard to the marketing.
 Time was when few country wagons from Blount used to bring in wagon loads and sell them on the street corners or from house to house, or the grocers handled few barrels as side line. Then the stage arrived when some of the foreigners peddled them in push carts, and later put up little stands on street corners
 We all remember how they multiplied until every downtown corner had ranged along the side wall a fruiterer, until 1t became such a nuisance that the public started an agitation and drove them into the stores until today they are stealing inch by inch of the sidewalks. and will soon overrun them unless curbed.
 t.t
 Now. so far as l am concerned, I do not object to it at all. In fact, l rather like it, for what is prettier than the displays of fruits that greets ones eye while passing along the streets? The Greeks and the Italians seem to have a way of handling and arranging their stocks in more attractive manner than the American.
 I noticed fine display in the lobby of the Majestic, and several vacant stores have been utilized for special Christmas displays. The more the merrier. It means more varieties to choose from and brisker competition. I trust the city fathers will allow stands to be placed on the curbs during the holiday season as it is in the interest of the buying public.
 But apples is my theme and I am let ting other fruits tempt me away from my subject. l want you to stop after you read this and take stock of the beautiful specimens of apples being of fered in Birmingham at present. have never seen such beauties outside Of fairs or expositions, Every section of the countfy is represented but I notice that more and more the western apples are crowdingN into this, market.
 Nt
 Do you want to have some fun? If so, the next time you get ready to buy an apple. just pick ug one of the 10 cent variety or three for a quarter, and bland ly ask the Greek. How many foi nickel?'' I used to have great fun in st doing. I would keep a straight face as the vendor. with horror and disgust on his face and arms working like wind- mill. would shrill out Five cent piece"
 But back to my apple man. I do not know how Professor G. c. starcher. Alabama> Polytechnic in-