5S STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



or ten years; at the end of that time how many berries would we be glad to 

 give if we could only for once more listen to such a grand chorus as comes to 

 our ears with the dawn of every spring or summer morning? 



Shall I tell you that the birds give us the greatest variety of music, can get 

 up the largest and best concerts on the shortest possible notice, will favor the 

 most promiscuous company of listeners without regard to either age, caste or 

 color, and no reserved seats, will begin their entertainments promptly at day- 

 break with their grandest songs and no diminution in the interest of the pro- 

 gramme until evening twilight? 



Birds seem to give sweetest expressions of gratitude to their Creator, while 

 man alone often remains unmindful of the many blessings which come on the 

 wings of each new morning. 



My impressions are that the birds do us more good than harm, still I give 

 the robin credit for being able to tell a good cherry from a bad one. The other 

 day my little four-year-old boy came in saying that the robins scolded and 

 scolded him when he tried to get a few early cherries, but said he, "1 guess 

 they want them for their Itttle baby birds," and he seemed perfectly recon- 

 ciled. 



Who can compute the number of harmful insects which the birds destroy 

 for us every twenty-four hours, and much of this valuable service is rendered 

 for us long before we begin our day's work? 



Yes! I say let everybody who has even a garden patch plant berries. Let. 

 there be enough grown for all, including the boys and birds. But the all 

 absorbing question and which meets us everywhere is, "What shall we plant?" 

 I apprehend that the most common mistake is made in planting too many 

 varieties. 



Because some one can sell us a new and wonderful sort at a marvellous 

 price, it is not always that we can "go and do likewise." I know some who 

 invested in the "Mexican everbearing strawberry," at three (3) dollars for a 

 dozen plants, and yet who shrink from discussing their merits, but are ever 

 ready to "cuss" the man who "sold 'em." 



I was not one of the lucky ones, but I have got a new raspberry which I 

 might be induced to sell at cost if they don't exceed my expectations this 

 season. The name even is costly, but I give it to you freely with all the 

 attachments, "Pride of the Cornwall," "Three for a dollar." I know it 

 has been said that the Wilson's Albany is the "lazy man's strawberry," but I 

 happen to be acquainted with several who grow them, and this is all the 

 evidence I ever had of their laziness. 



The safest way for a new planter is to inquire of fruit growers in their own 

 locality, regarding the best and most profitable varieties and plant only three 

 or four of the best and well tried sorts. 



Plant new sorts sparingly. They may do well in other localities with special 

 treatment and come to you well recommended, and possibly after more ex- 

 tended trial prove really valuable, but there are very, very few varieties of any 

 kind of fruit which will succeed well with such treatment as they will receive 

 by the masses. 



Another common error is made in planting on soils destitute of the neces- 

 sary plant food. A soil rich in vegetable deposit, with a top-dressing of 

 salt and wood-ashes, may be used to good advantage. 



I will not attempt with my limited knowledge and experience to give a list 

 of the best and most reliable varieties, but will merely say that the most com- 



