STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 121 



plan of conducting the business. At present I see no occasion 

 for changing this feature materially. 



The experiments which have been begun should, as far as pos- 

 sible, be carried through to definite results. 



The committee in charge should insist on a careful record 

 being kept of all work done at the stations, and have it reported 

 as frequently as necessary or desirable. 



These reports will be a most essential part of the work, and 

 should be full and explicit, giving in detail the methods and 

 results obtained. 



I will give a few suggestions as to what may be done in this 

 experimental work, with this qualification, that I am not sure 

 that this is all which should be undertaken now. 



More thorough tests in the spraying of fruit trees with arseni- 

 cal and other poisons. 



There seems to be no doubt of the value of this method of 

 treating our trees, for the destruction of many of their insect 

 enemies, both of leaf and fruit. However, there seems to be a 

 great difference of opinion among those who have used these 

 poisons, as to how strong they should be applied, and their 

 effects on the foliage; claims being made that the injury to 

 foliage is much greater when they are applied late in the season. 

 These are all proper subjects of farther investigation. 



In the Centra] and Southern districts the spraying and other 

 applications for the grape rot should be continued. Climatic 

 conditions not being so favorable for this disease in the north- 

 ern portion of the State, its effects there are not so serious. 



The effect of various methods of cultivation on our different 

 kinds of fruits, also the application of commercial and home- 

 made fertilizers, showing results as to their increased growth, 

 fruitfulness and maturing of wood growth, often called hardi- 

 ness. The testing of summer and winter mulching on our 

 orchards and plantations of small fruits, hoping thereby to en- 

 able them to withstand summer heat and winter cold, and thus 

 increase their fruitfulness, are all subjects worthy of considera- 

 tion. 



At some future time should the affairs of the Society be in a 

 condition to justify, it would be eminently proper for it to insti- 

 tute a more extended and scientific line of experiments. This 

 work would imply the employment of persons with scientific 

 knowledge and a sufficient amount of funds, and should not be 

 undertaken until there is a good prospect of carrying it through 

 successfully. But I will not consume more of your time, feeling 

 that whatever disposition is made of this matter by the Exec- 

 utive Board will be for the best interests of the Society, and 

 also an honor and credit to the State. 



