True the Wealthy has its faults—­so have all the other varieties of apples of individual choice—­and so have we—­the growers; but for early fruitage, prolificacy, excellence for culinary use, extended period of usefulness, richness and delicacy of flavor when ripened in a cool cellar and good keeping qualities when under proper conditions it is placed in cold storage, there are few if any varieties other than this that combine so many splendid and desirable characteristics.  From mid-July to mid-September of the present year we have been using Wealthy for culinary purposes with steadily increasing enjoyment as their quality has gradually become finer and finer.  At this writing, September 18, we have in the cellar attractively colored, well ripened, pink-and-white-fleshed Wealthy delightful for dessert use; and there are yet Wealthy—­firm and crisp—­on the trees for later autumn use if kept in the cellar, or early winter and holiday use if placed in cold storage.

If we could have but one apple tree that tree would be a Wealthy.  This statement is made with full knowledge and appreciation of the many other excellent varieties of various seasons, including Grimes, Jonathan, Stayman and Delicious.

Law Fixes Standards for Containers for Fruits, Berries and Vegetables in Interstate Commerce.

(TAKEN FROM “WISCONSIN HORTICULTURE,” THE ORGAN OF WIS.  STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.)

Standards for Climax baskets for grapes, other fruits and vegetables, and other types of baskets and containers used for small fruits, berries, and vegetables in interstate commerce, are fixed by an act approved by the President August 31, 1916.  The law will become effective November 1, 1917.

The effect of the act will be to require the use of the standards in manufacturing, sale, or shipment for all interstate commerce, whether the containers are filled or unfilled.  A large part of the traffic in fruits and vegetables in this country enters interstate commerce.  The law relates only to the containers and will not affect local regulations in regard to heaped measure or other method of filling.  A special exemption from the operations of the law is made for all containers manufactured, sold, or shipped, when intended for export to foreign countries, and when such containers accord with the specifications of the foreign purchasers, or comply with the laws of the country to which the shipment is destined.

Standards of three capacities are fixed for Climax baskets—­2, 4 and 12 quarts, dry measure.  These containers, often known as “grape baskets,” have relatively narrow, flat bottoms, rounded at each end, and thin sides flaring slightly from the perpendicular.  The handle is hooped over at the middle from side to side.  In addition to fixing the capacities of these standard baskets of this type, the law also prescribes their dimensions.

The other standards are for “baskets or other containers for small fruits, berries, and vegetables.”  They are to have capacities only of one-half pint, 1 pint, 1 quart, or multiples of 1 quart, dry measure.  Such containers may be of any shape so long as their capacities accurately accord with the standard requirements.