

trajStsactions of the northern 



area of coimtrj', has such :i great variety of soil aud climate, that it is impossible for one society to 

 investigate the especial requirements of each particular sectiou. 



The soils and climate peculiar to our portion of the State must have varieties of fruits and methods- 

 of cultivation to correspond, This knowledge can be obtained only by practical experience. 

 Theories make very good starting points sometimes, but uiust be carried into actual practice 

 to be of much benefit. For these reasons we must go. directly to the cultivators of fruit in each 

 particular location, and learn from their success or failure how to proceed in future. 



We of the northwest are under the necessity of working out our own pomology. With all due 

 respect to those that have grown grey in the service, we liave scarcely made a beginnintj;. The field 

 is but just fairly opened lor investigation. We have learned much, but it is mostly of a negative 

 character; have found that many methods of cultivation pursued iu other parts of the country will 

 not do with us; that most of their best varieties of fruits are not i^rotitable for us to cultivate. But 

 what varieties we can grow with cerUiinty and profit, and how to treat them, are questions we have 

 come here to discuss and endeavor to settle. 



In regard to varieties of fruits adapted to our particular region, we have a great work to accom- 

 plish. We have kinds enough, but nearly all have some serious tault tliat it seems almost impossible 

 to remedy: almost all are natives of entirely different soils and climates from ours, and need the 

 liarticular elements in those soils in which they originated to perlect tliem. Indeed, it has long 

 been my opinion that we shall never be fully successful in fruit growing until we raise varieties from 

 seed on our own soil— varieties that will hold the same position with us that the Ualdwin, Greening 

 and Kusset do iu their native localities. 



Another subject that deserves our careful attention, and one that is of vital importance to the 

 necessities and convenience of our whole country, is the planting of trees for timber belts and 

 forests Our native forests are fast disappearing before the axe, and if the demand for lumber goes 

 on increasing iu the ratio that it has for the last few years, the supply — vast as it is— will soon be 

 exhausted. The editor of the Western Fomolugist says: '•Iihasbeenestinuiled by a careful observer, 

 that the pine timber within the limits ot the United States and accessible territories will be exhausted 

 in less than fifty years. Already immense quantities of pine lumber are imported from the Cauadas, 

 and yet scarcity increases and prices rise. All varieties of timber composing the American forests 

 are alike disappearing, and It requires no prophetic ken to foresee what is to be the fearful desiitutiou 

 a century hence, if no measures are adopted, and prosecuted vigorously, to supply by art what has 

 hitherto beeu so abundantly supplied by Providence." If such is the case, and the facts seem 

 indisputable, should not we as a society of practical, thinking men use all the means in our power to 

 supply this prospective deficiency? We found our laud reasonably well supplied with timber ready 

 grown for us: are we doingjustice to our country, to posterity, if we leave it in a worse condition 

 tlian we found it? There is one thing certain, that future generations will feel far more grateful to 

 us for furnishing them an adecpiate supply of valuable timber, than for all the knowledge we can 

 transmit In relation to fruit culture. They can raise their own fn.it, but must find their forests 

 ready grown for them ; and although we may not see the dollars and cents when we plant our groves, 

 we have no right to disregard the claims of those who come after us. 



These remarks have been made, not with the expectation of offering anything new, but to call 

 your particular attention to a subject which evinces its importance the more we investigate it. 

 Would it not be advisable for the society to offer some special inducement to planters, and stimu- 

 late a work that promises to be of so much benefit to our countrj' iu the future? 



The scieuce of geology is one that should greatly interest the student of horticulture, but has not 

 beeu investigated bj' cultivators generallj' so much as its importance deserves. The composition of 

 different soils, the effect they have on vegetable life, are subjects that should eulisl our attention and 

 careful study. Agaiu, the peculiarities of our climate, subject to extreme changes of heat and cold: 

 the drying winds of winter, the scorching raysof oursummer sun, the long seasons of drouth, varied 

 by those of extreme wet, with cloudy weather favorable to the growth of fungi, the hosts of insect 

 enemies that infest our orchards aud gardens, bringing so much of our labor to naught, and which 

 as yet have received no permanent check, are all subjects of great interest to us, and form a wide 

 field for scientific study. 



Gentlemen, I will not longer occupy your valuable time. You are fully conscious of the import- 

 ance of the work that is before you, and the obstacles to be overcome, and have shown the faith that 

 is in you by your attendance here at the present time. All men like to be appreciated, and it is 

 encouraging to us as horticulturists to see that we are better understood than ever before— that the 

 people are finding out that we are not working entirely lor sell-interest. This is shown in the 

 increased attendance at our meetings, and the interest with which our printed proceedings are read. 

 The railroads are beginning to realize somewhat of the importance of our meetings, and .grant u.s 

 facilities that they would not allow a few years ago. These facts should encourage us topush forward 

 our work with energy, until our prairies shall be dotted with beautiful groves and orchards, our 

 residences surrounded with fruits and llowers, and every man shall sit under his own vine and apple 

 tree, with no borer to molest him or apple worm lo make him afraid. 



