366 . STATE HORTICUL.TUK.\X. SOCIETV. 



picnic assemblies in tlie fall tliey can compare notes and gain wisdom by 

 the success or failure of each other. 



At the April meeting the discussion turned on planting shade trees, and 

 in this connection C. J. Monroe said: 



It is a pity that so many farmers give so little attention to the beautify- 

 ing of their homes with shade and ornamental trees. A thing of beauty 

 is a joy forever, and the farmer can take solid comfort sitting under the 

 shade of the trees, after a hard day's work, and eating the fruit of his own 

 raising. Aside from the pride a man takes in having his farm look as well 

 as his neighbor's, it pays in more ways than one. The long line of road 

 shade trees adds to the beauty of the 'farm and surrounding country, and 

 it adds solid dollars to the value of the land. This society had always 

 taken a great interest iji this subject, and I believe a majority of the shade 

 trees planted in this vicinity are the resvilt of the earnest efforts of this 

 society. The Governor appoints an Arbor day each year, and on that day, 

 •or whenever convenient, each one should set a few trees for ornamental 

 purposes. 



J. G. Kamsdell remarked, that if one will only contrast the home where 

 there are no trees or flowers, where the summer sun beats down upon it 

 with a hot glare, with a neat little cottage surroiinded by green trees, and 

 flowers, looking so cool, inviting, and attractive, which would he prefer, and 

 which would be the most attractive to the children? And if you wanted 

 to sell, which would bring the best price? It takes but a little time now 

 and then to set trees and keep them growing, and you have the result. 



J. Lannin thought that we who set the line of shade trees along the 

 highway, to give shade to the weary traveler and adorn the landscape with 

 beauty, was a public benefactor; and now, when it is so easy to get shade 

 trees, ever}' one should set them, and this need not be confined to maple, 

 elm, or forest trees, for several varieties of pear would look very well as 

 shade trees and bear fruit each year. 



The members of the society reported that curculio were more numerous 

 this year than ever before , while the currant-worm, the ciit-worm, and 

 insect pests generally, seem to swarm this season; and this brought up 

 the question of spraying peach trees and other fruits with London purple 

 or Paris green, which had been so beneficial to the apple. Several mem- 

 bers had purchased spraying pumps, and inquired what strength of mix- 

 ture they should use, and it was said by authority that while one pound 

 of Paris green should be mixed with two hundred and fifty or three hun- 

 dred gallons of water, this was mTich too strong for peach trees, which are 

 much more tender than apples or plums. It may be stated here that 

 those who tried spraying peach trees with this strength of mixture regret- 

 ted it, for it not only destroyed the curculio, but the leaves and fruit, as 

 well as many of the tender branches. Some who used four hundred gal- 

 lons of water to one pound of Paris green found but little injury; but it 

 seems to be cumulative, and the third spraying did the most harm. Prof. 

 Taft writes me that only Paris green should be used, as the arsenic in 

 London purple, and especially white arsenic, is more soluble, and the 

 trees absorb the arsenic, which causes the harm, and that five hundred 

 or even one thousand gallons of water to the pound may not prove to© 

 weak a solution. 



The effect on curculio is still uncertain, and spraying needs further 

 experiments to determine its value for peaches. 



Mr. A. C. Meuritt reported he had used the Bordeaux mixture for spray- 



