112 American HofticuHural Society. 



Dr. MvKay, of Mississippi — I knew but little of good varieties 

 in 1860. I first consulted a grower in my own neighborhood, and 

 from his experience have been greatly i)enefited. If we will ignore 

 the tree peddler, with his overfed samples and colored plates, we 

 ■will save ourselves many disappointments. It will be far better for 

 us, if we only avail ourselves of our neighbors' experience. As a 

 rule, we plant ten sorts that prove unsuccessful where we do one 

 that gives satisfactory results. 



Mr. Smith, of Wisconsin — If we were all to become experiment- 

 ers, what a "heaven on earth " it would be for tree peddlers! In 

 twenty years I have spent more than §1,000 for new strawberries 

 alone, and have only found one good variety. I fully agree with 

 Dr. McKay, that we should go to the honest neighbor and nursery- 

 man for advice. AVe may thus not only cease to experiment, but 

 may be enabled to grow something profitable. For every farmer 

 to be an experimenter, unless he has a long and full pocket, is to 

 bankrupt him both in pocket and in fruit. 



Mr. Munson — In answer to Mr. Smith, I would say that I would, 

 to a great extent, restrict the work of experimentation to the nur- 

 serymen. It is especially their duty to study the suitability of sorts 

 to their respective localities. 



Mr. Cook, of Michigan — We need not trouble ourselves about 

 new fruits. Thev usually get into the hands of men who will take 

 care of them. Horticultural associations are now educating the 

 people to the point where the work of selecting may readily go on. 

 The voted fruit lists of the several State societies, which are care- 

 fully considered, will be safe guides to the planter. An important 

 question for us to consider is how to replace poor sorts in old or- 

 chards with better ones. Shall we resort to top grafting? 



Mr. Beatty, of Kentucky — Our society fruit lists are not read by 

 the general public, while our exhibition of fruits presents itself to 

 thousands of visitors. A premium ajiple, if fine looking, may de- 

 ceive and mislead the planters. 



Mr. Van Dehiiin — Every horticulturist is an experimenter, and 

 ^vill be in spite of what we may say. We should recommend 

 intelligent experiments, not haphazard. Premium lists should 



