124 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



down stairs and break your neck?" But after giving it a moment's 

 thought, decided, '^I would rather set up the supper than do that." 



So, gentlemen, I am glad that we have given a better reception to these 

 foreign fruits than these three men received. We welcome all alien 

 fruits to our shores, for we know that the progress and development 

 of our alien fruits in indicative of the progress and development of 

 civilization itself. 



Toastmaster: 1 can not close this splendidly interesting occasion 

 without saving that while we have seen and said a good deal about 

 Michigan, we are broader than Michigan — we are Americans. And 

 while we are thinking of the material things connected with horti- 

 culture there is something that is higher and nobler for us to think 

 upon, and that is, that there is a religion in horticulture; and there is 

 connected with horticulture and its development in its highest form 

 the suggestion of something that is higher than even the best things 

 that we cultivate, and that is, that of a Creator whose laws we are learn- 

 ing as we study the intricate problems of the wonderful way in which 

 horticulture is developed to its perfection, and let us not forget that 

 back of all these wonderfully mysterious workings of nature, there 

 is an unseen life and power that can come only from an infinite Being. 



And now, to close this most enjoyable occasion, let us join With 

 Mr. Smythe in. singing one verse of America. 



'SPRAYING. 



MR. T. A. PARRAND^ EATON RAPIDS. 



This subject of spraying is one that is discussed more or less at every 

 annual meeting of this Association. It is one of the live topics for con- 

 sideration and every fruit grower has had experience with it in varying 

 degrees of success and failure. Companies and firms organized and 

 place upon the market spraying outfits many of them making extrava- 

 gant claims for their jiroduct. Some year ago when it was found necessary 

 to combat insect pests various solutions were used as a spray. With 

 some these seem to be successful while with others they were almost 

 a failure so you find among some fruit growers those wlio are skeptical 

 as to the value of spraying while with others the claim is strong that 

 without thorough spraying it is impossible to grow fruit of the quality 

 to meet the demands of the public. 



But during the past few years there has been a growing knowledge 

 of fruit insect pests and the best methods of combatting them. AVith 

 due deference to all who are in favor or against the question of sju'ay- 

 ing, one thing is sure the general consensus of opinion is that properly 

 done spraying is absolutely necessary to the attainment of the best 

 quality of fruit. On the other hand what will be a success with 

 one man may be a failure with another and each must use his own 

 individual judgment as to what will work best with him. This can 



