"J.G. R. K.," Lov-ettsville, Va., writes: "I cannot let the opportunity pass to send you a veteran apple by mail, that I found with several others in a box in the cellar, perfectly sound, where they had been placed last fall (1884). The apples in the box had been used until strawberries and other early fruit came in. They were then let alone, and forgotten (perhaps half bushel).

On looking up boxes to use for apples again, I found the sound apples in the box among the rotten ones, and were filthed over by mice working among the rotten ones for the seed. This is the second time 1 have found sound specimens of this variety in the bottom of boxes, that had been placed there twelve months previous, and no other variety have I ever found under the same circumstances, and some of the usually considered best keeping varieties have always been stored with them. I send the specimen without washing off, so if you choose to keep it longer, you will have a fair chance to test its keeping qualities.

You may remember a specimen I sent you several years ago (but not so long out of season) of the same variety - Bentley Sweet. For long keeping, it certainly leads, and is a very prolific and early bearer.

[This is a very pretty as well as good apple, and, although some may not want to keep apples over till long after apples come again, the fact is valuable as showing the strength of the claim of this good apple to keeping well. - Ed. G. M].