Aiisoclation in Horticulture. 109 



Judging from observation, it is our imi)resi«ion that scarcely one farmer in 

 one hundred gives the kitchen garden a recognized place in his system of 

 f.irm work, while still fewer have any proper conception of the pecuniary 

 and dietetical value of the possible products, or of the practicable and profit- 

 able successions of which such a plat is susceptible. Association has here a 

 highly important work yet to perform. 



But broad as may be the horticultural field proper, it is so complicated 

 with difficulties growing out of the attacks of fungi, including the bacteria 

 of modern science, together with the depredations of insects, birds, etc., 

 whose influence, as a whole, may prove to be either beneficial or hostile, 

 that he who would keep abreast with the times, and make intelligent and 

 profitable use of the discoveries and improvements of the day can hardly do 

 less than to associate himself with those engaged in studying the econom- 

 ical phases of the analagous sciences, to which he may very properly add 

 chemistry and even geology, agriculturally considered, from each and all of 

 which he may hope to derive important aid in the selection and treatment 

 of soils, and in resisting the various and pers'stent inroads of these various 

 enemies upon his growing crops. 



But valuable as may be the aid of association in horticulture, it is not al- 

 together devoid of dangerous quicksands and breakers. Men are prone to 

 accept their conclusions at second hands, instead of collating facts and 

 drawing their own conclusions. The commercial orchardist prefers to plant 

 showy and productive varieties, with little regard for flavor, since the mar- 

 kets generally p efer such ; and since these are almost invariably vigorous 

 growers as well, nurserymen prefer to grow and sell trees of such varieties.. 

 Without apparent consideration of these facts, those who plant for home 

 use, to whom fine quality should be the dominant object, and apjiarently 

 mainly anxious to get the largest and finest tree for the money, far too often 

 accejjt the interested advice of the nurseryman, or that of the commercial 

 gro^yer, from the standpoint of profit only, accepting a Flemish Beauty or a 

 Bartlett pear in place of a Bosc or a Seckel, or a Pennock or Ben Davis in- 

 stead of Pomme Gris or Hubbardston, and filling his cellar in winter with 

 fruit such as can hardly be esteemed desirable as a treat for the family or 

 friends, except when nicely cooked and well reinforced with— glucose. 



So long as it shall be practicable to collect together a knot of growers and 

 dealers, who, after a pow-wow over a newly discovered novelty, in which, 

 l^erchance, each may have become directly interested, to, by mutual puffing, 

 give it a good send-off before the public; or even while it shall be possible to 

 accomplish such result upon the commendations of distinguished experts, 

 in the absence of repeated and lengthened trial, it can hardly be otherwise 

 than that our modern avalanche of trash in the form of new plants and- 

 fruits will continue, if indeed it shall not even increase in both volume and 

 worthlessness. 



Do not the horticultural magnates of the period owe it to themselves, as 

 well as to a trusting public, to see to it that effective measures are devised 



