10 STATE TOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.. 



The value of information on horticulture and fruit raising, derived from the 

 different localities in the State, depends upon its accuracy derived from a 

 comparison of extended results and experiments. 



Heretofore it has often been the case that the reports made from the differ- 

 ent sections have contained individual opinions, and not results obtained from 

 a comparison of many experiments. By this plan, also, greater interest is 

 awakened upon the subject of fruit culture, which will lead naturally to good 

 results. 



But it is not necessary to point out all the benefits which would result from 

 the establishment and maintenance of the local branches of the State society, 

 and it is not my object now to discuss the plan in all its bearings, or to attempt 

 to measure its effects. I submit it for your consideration, hoping that if it 

 may not be adopted, it may lead to the suggestion of some plan which may be 

 more productive of good than the present system under which we are now ope- 

 rating. 



Mr. Gibson supplemented his paper with a very earnest tribute to the men 

 who had by means of individual exertions built up the society, and given it the 

 high character for which it is noted abroad. He said it was time that the 

 people put their shoulders to the burden and helped by their earnest support 

 to continue the usefulness of the society. 



Following Mr. Gibson's address, Mr. Lyon opened the discussion on 



EVERGREENS FOR THE FARM. 



He said that unquestionably the evergreens were the most suitable of any 

 trees to plant upon the farm for protection. Very few deciduous trees can 

 approximate in value the better evergreens for this purpose. The appreciation 

 of this protection comes at a time when the trees cannot be planted out, and 

 at the times when the planting should be done the necessity is not felt. Like 

 the fiddler under the leaky roof, — when it was fair weather he cared not for 

 the leaks, and when it rained he could not fix them ; so he continued on with 

 no change for the better. In the same way our farms go without the protec- 

 tion that might be easily given in the proper time by the planting of a few 

 trees. 



There is no question but that the judicious planting of a few evergreens will 

 add very largely to the value of our farms either to sell or to keep. 



The more heat that is required to keep up the vitality of animals, the more 

 food must be given them ; hence the value of warm barns in winter. It is far 

 cheaper to grow evergreens than to spend so much in keeping up tight barns ;. 

 besides, the protection given by evergreen screens does not impair the health 

 of animals by checking ventilation as is the case in a close barn. If any of 

 you have ever traveled over a bleak district, as I have oftentimes done on 

 severe days, and come upon the grateful protection of Norway spruces, you 

 can form some estimate of their value as a screen. 



Every man who has a garden knows how difficult it is to preserve some 

 things over winter and through the spring on account of the severe blasts of 

 wind, and again, how planting must be deferred because of an occasional blast 

 that will come even after the warm days of spring have opened. A screen of 

 evergreens to protect a garden from these winds can be planted at a very slight 

 expense, and can be maintained at actually no cost thereafter. These western 

 and northwestern winds are perilous to vegetation in spring oftentimes even 

 when they are not freezing cold. What a satisfaction to have a row of spruce, 



