STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 11 



we not elect or appoint say three members in different parts of the 

 State to receive plants from originators, and test them before being 

 sent out to be tested by the general public. Such a plan it seems to 

 me could be made to work, and would be a great benefit. There are 

 so many new fruits being brought out continually, and we have 

 need of better varieties than any we now have in nearly all kinds of 

 fruits, that the growers are almost compelled to buy these new can- 

 didates and test them. If, however, we had such experiment sta- 

 tions of our own, introducers would be compelled to have their bant- 

 lings tested and recommended by the experimenters before they 

 could find much of a market for their wares. There are also some 

 fruits that it takes so long a time to properly test that few growers 

 will get all that ought to be tested; the apple for example. We 

 need better apples than we now have, but what one grower feels able 

 and willing to get all the new and promising varieties and test them? 

 All will readily admit that we should get, and so test, all the new or 

 not generally known varieties of apples until we have varieties suited 

 to all sections of the State that will have the quality of the Grimes 

 Golden, the vigor of growth, productiveness, size and shipping qual- 

 ities of the Ben Davis, and the keeping qualities of the Gilpin. I 

 think we ought to do some active work in that direction, and one or 

 two hundred dollars spent in that way annually will be as likely to 

 pay as any other way in which we could use it. Gradually these 

 stations could, and no doubt would, work into more scientific lines 

 and need greater sums. When that is the case we can no doubt get 

 larger appropriations to properly carry on the work. Let us make 

 a beginning. 



We need more members, more young men, with their enthusi- 

 asm and vigor. We want more ladies to grace our meetings and 

 take an active part; to that end we should make our sessions as in- 

 teresting and attractive as possible, and make all realize that it pays 

 to attend our meetings. In union there is strength. In a multitude 

 of council there is wisdom. 



The members should take more interest in the work of the So- 

 ciety than they now do, and help the officers with such suggestions 

 as may occur to them from time to time as being calculated to ad- 

 vance the interests and welfare of the Society. None of us are per- 

 fect, and there is not a member but has one or more ideas, that if 

 suggested to the Secretary or President, would add to the interest of 

 the meetings. All should feel free to make such suggestions. 



A year ago, when we separated and returned to our various 

 homes, the prospect for a favorable season was excellent, but soon 

 after. Old Boreas came with his icy breath and blasted a part of our 

 hopes. Yet later, when gentle spring with her balmy breezes came 

 and caused the fields to become green, and plants, bushes, vines and 

 trees to bud and blossom, giving promise of abundant yields, the 

 horticulturist's hopes rose, and with light step and nimble hands he 



