WINTEE MEETING. 181 



eion of Pomology in the Department of Agriculture, sustained by large 

 iippropriations from the Government treasury. 



These are also recognized by most if not all the States, by ap- 

 propriations in support of horticultural societies designed to aid and 

 •encourage the development of our fruit-growing resources, as means 

 to individual, state and national wealth. 



In 1870 there were more than 1,000,000 acres planted to apples, 

 and the value of one year's product was nearly $50,000,000. 



These, no doubt, have been more than doubled in the la3t 25 years. 



The general opinion is that all our fine varieties are developed ( or 

 evolved) from the common crab. It seems to me much more proba- 

 ble that the crab is deteriorated from the tree that stood in the midst 

 of the Garden, so pleasing to the sight and so good for food and so 

 much to be desired "that our good kind old grand-mother, not able to 

 resist the temptation, stretched forth her hand, plucked, ate the fruit 

 and brought death into the world and all our woe." 



Man, neglected, sinks back into a state of barbarism, ignorance and 

 misery. 



The apple-tree, neglected, runs back into a deformed, thorny, un- 

 sightly, crooked, brushy mass that can afford no refreshing shade, de- 

 lightful aroma, or comforting fruits. This view is supported by the 

 following extract from the Century dictionary. In its definition it 

 says : "It is scarcely known in its wild state, but as an escape from 

 cultivation its fruit becomes small, acid and harsh, and is known as the 

 crab." "The cultivated crab-apple is the fruit of another species of 

 Pyrus." 



Because we cannot comprehend God and His wisdom, the Divine 

 creative power and its results, were it not better to adopt the senti- 

 ments of Pope's universal prayer : 



Father of aU, in every age. 



In every clime adored. 

 By saint, by savage and by sage, 



Jehovah, Jove, or Lord. 



Thou great first cause, least understood. 



Who all my sense confined 

 To know but this, that thou art good. 



And that myself am blind. 



Yet gave me In this dark estate 



To see the good from ill, 

 And, binding nature fast in fate. 



Left free the human will. 



