STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 97 



a mixture of sand aud prairie soil. My impression is that the 

 wet weather was the cause. 



Mr. Eiley — I beg to differ with the essayist. There' is an insect 

 which bores into the root, and there is the orange rust or fungus on 

 the root, which kills the entire vine, so that the raspberry grower 

 must not go off with the idea that he has no difficulties to contend 

 with. 



Mr. Humphrey — I found my vines affected at the roots, and I lost 

 a great many in that way. In many cases I could not find any 

 insects, but in a dozen at least, I found a little grub about one-eighth 

 of an inch long. It was a light colored one, and he went I'ound on 

 the bark and then he seemed to go out. 



Mr. Wier — I wrote to Dr. Walsh about it and he sent me a cane, as 

 the gentlemen speaks of it, but it was not the same as mine. 



Dr. Schroeder — I just want to know if there is any fruit that is 

 free from insects, or even, man, if he does not keep clean ? 

 [Laughter.] 



Mr. Eiley — I made the statement I did, because I think it would be 

 hard to find any fruit that did not have an insect enemy. 



REPORT OP STATE HORTICULTURIST. 



In presenting my first annual report, I shaU confine my remarks to such considera- 

 tions as are disconnected with statistical information. I have two reasons for pursuing 

 this course : 1st, the Society annually appoints one Vice President from each Congres- 

 sional District, whose duty it is to collect and report all facts relating to horticulture 

 in their respective districts; 2d, in addition to this, there is annually constituted three 

 Ad Interim committees, one for the north, one for the center, and one for the south 

 parts of the State. These several committees are expected to possess themselves of 

 such horticultural information, especially of a statistical nature, as may be of general 

 interest, and report the same. In view of these facts, as well as to make the most of 

 the space allotted to me, I shall confine my remarks to the consideration of such topics 

 as, it is hoped, may prove to be of general interest to the horticulturist; leaving the 

 duties assigned to the several officers and committees of the Society to be performed 

 by them. 



In anticipation of this report, I accordingly in the winters of 1SC8-9, and the follow- 

 ing spring and summer, made many observations and experiments to test the theories 

 which had long guided me in the production of superior specimens of fruit and in 

 inducing hardihood in trees. Of these experiments, together vnth the observations 

 8 



