W. A. Brown, a leading fruit grower in the lake shore fruit region of Michigan, makes the following timely observations in the Allegan (Mich.) Gazette:

While most growers will prefer the old standard varieties for our market, I believe the western markets are being educated to appreciate quality in fruits. Many of our best dessert apples are subject to scab and cannot be grown profitably for market. Among these the Red June. Early Harvest. Williams' Favorite, Fame-use, Belleflower, Red Canada, and Swaar are some of the best, but are generally deformed and unprofitable. The Astrachan and Oldenburg are not dessert apples and do not always produce fair fruit. The Oldenburg has obtained the reputation of being one of the most hardy trees grown, and has been extensively planted throughout the northwest, in locations where the better varieties are sure to fail. There is a growing demand for "fancy" good eating apples, and being located for growing and marketing the fine varieties, the selection of varieties is of much importance to our growers. Washington Strawberry, though not always prolific, is a good early apple and is one of our fancy fruits.

Among the new sorts I would place the Shiawassee first. It originated in Shiawassee county, and is almost a duplicate of the Fameuse (Snow), being the same in season and quality, but is different in form, being oblate, and as grown by myself, Mr. Lyon, and others, is a constant bearer of most beautiful fruit, and is free from blight and scab, which so often ruins the Fameuse. The Orange Pippin is a new variety from New Jersey.

It has proved a uniform bearer of perfect fruit with me. It ripens with the Maiden's Blush and is in every way superior to this famous old variety.

After the Shiawassee I would place the Hubbardston. It is one of our smooth, perfect apples of good quality, and comes in late fall and early winter, when a good eating apple is in demand. Many of our people place the Baldwin first, but Michigan and Western New York have more Baldwins in prolific seasons than of all other varieties ; and while planters have generally planted the long-keeping varieties, I believe that future planters in Berrien county will find the earlier fancy varieties.