PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 21 



The state society should, by virtue of its charter, larger membership, and 

 position, be the recognized head of the horticulture of the state. The 

 various local and auxiliary societies, by working in harmony with the state 

 society, can always be most useful, all working together for common good. 



With this idea in view, none but men with broad ideas, unselfish spirit, 

 and a willingness to work for common good should be elected to office in 

 this or any other society. A better education than generally exists seems 

 necessary to make successful horticulturists. It is apparent to any think- 

 ing man that, in the near future, to make a success we must have a fair 

 understanding of botany, chemistry, mycology, entomology, and a good 

 practical understanding of nature's laws in general. This can hardly be 

 attained by many of us who are well along in years; but we have trained 

 men working in these lines in our experimental stations, and we get the 

 results of their labors for the asking. Our general government has estab- 

 lished these stations for the purpose of saving us time and money, giving 

 us full and practical information on topics which interest us, and we can 

 get in no other way without great expense. 



In connection with this, allow me to speak of a sentiment which prevails 

 among a certain class of farmers, that our scientific men are not practical. 

 Nothing could be further from the truth. Science is the very essence of 

 practice, and no man can be a successful instructor who is not intensely 

 practical. 



It is only a few years ago that Prof. Cook and a few other scientific men 



,were telling us that we could fight the codlin moth and canker worm by 



spraying with arsenites. His statements were considered ridiculous by 



many, and it took several years to get spraying into general practice. Our 



shrewdest men adopted it early, and to them science has revealed wonders. 



Our professors have sent one remedy after another among us, until the 

 insects, rots, mildews, and nearly all fungi are at our mercy by the use of 

 the little SIO or $15 spraying outfit, which now all acknowledge must soon 

 be as necessary a part of the farmer's tool outfit as his plow and harrow. 

 Don't say that these men are not practical. Would that we were half as 

 practical ! 



The value of our experiment stations can not be estimated, as their work 

 is of such character that it saves us the loss of much valuable time as well 

 as dollars. I feel that it is a safe statement that the knowledge gained by 

 Michigan farmers, from our own and other experimental stations, and 

 turned into good dollars, will run into the millions, and is rapidly increas- 

 ing. Still, there was a move in congress this winter to repeal the Hatch 

 bill under which these stations exist; but, fortunately, the farmers had a 

 few friends left in congress and the movement was killed. 



The busy season will soon be upon us, and there is every indication of an 

 excellent fruit crop, especially of apples, and it behooves us to be ready to 

 care for it. We should not wait for a thing until we need it, before secur- 

 ing it. We know that we can control the codlin moth and canker worm 

 with Paris green, and the apple scab with Bordeaux mixture, and to apply 

 either we must have a spraying pump. Be prepared and attend to these 

 things on time, and we will probably be satisfied with the crop. Neglect 

 them and we will be sorry for it. 



When you secure a crop, pay a little attention to markets. It is just as 

 essential to be a good salesman as it is to be a skillful producer. We can 

 never sell a poor grade of fruit at top prices. Therefore, strive to pro- 

 duce the best. If you succeed in this, the fruit is more than half sold. 



