362 TRAJJSACTIONS OF THE 



Chittenden — Concord witli me is fine, while Catawbas are doing badly . 



Barnes — As to apples, with me the Rawles Janet is the most profitable so far; always 

 a good cooker. The greatest objection to it is, it bears too full, and the fruit is apt to 

 be small. If confined to one tree, I would choose the Jenetting. 



Chittenden— My 26 year old trees of this variety are not doing well. When young 

 they did better. I think they need vei'y severe pruning. 



"W"orthen — My experience is mth two trees 18 years old Have from them this year 

 45 bushels of fruit. 



Darnell — The Janet bears well with me, but the fruit is too small. I would not 

 plant it any more; but would plant such as would bring far more money, say Ben 

 Davis, Winesap, Willow Twig, Domine, and others. 



The Secretary claimed for the Ben Davis that it is far the most profitable apple to 

 plant to make money; but believes it will some day be superseded by those of siiperior 

 quality. Thinks the Janet is next profitable, if care be taken to prevent overbearing. 

 Perfection is far from being reached yet; and while we seek diligently for better sorts, 

 we should encoui-age the planting of those that will produce the best i-esults now. 



DECEMBER MEETING. 



Mr. Hammond submitted and read a letter from Charles Downing, of Newburgh, 

 N. Y . , acknowledging the receipt of the Monte Bello seedling apple , in which he 

 pronounces it " a first-class fruit.'' Also, one from Mark Miller, publisher of the 

 Pomologist, at Des Moines, Iowa, highly praising the fruit, and asking for scions; also 

 promising to make an engraving of it for his publication. 



President Hammond read bis annual address, which was ordered published with 

 the proceedings. 



• ADDRESS. 



Another year, with its vicissitudes and varied incidents, its realizations and disappointments, has 

 l^assed, and we are permitted with unbroken ranks to inaugurate our fourth annual re-union. It is 

 appropriate on these occasions for us to take a retrospective view of the operations of the j^ear, 

 compare our success and failures, and oarefullj' ponder the result. 



It has been the habit of many horticultural writers to loudly herald their successes, to tell of the 

 wonderful crops of strawberries, gi'apes or pears thej' have grown, and the fabulous price they have 

 obtained for them, but to carefully keep in the background their failures and disappointments. This 

 course may at least be said to be of doubtful proprietj', for by it the novice is often led astray; is 

 made to erroneously believe that the paths of horticulture are paths of peace and lead to sure success. 

 As the careful mariner often consults his chart, that he may avoid the shoals and hidden rocks on 

 which others wrecked, so should the horticultural beginner be able to consult the record of our 

 disappointments and losses, and thus be able to avoid the mistakes into which we have fallen. It is 

 notjjleasant to speak of our mistakes, therefore few horticulturists tell their own or know all their 

 neighbors'. Yet there can be no failure without a cause. Therefore, If we have failed to realize 

 our expectations— as we in common with other horticultural communities undoubtedly have— let us 

 carefully search for the cause. 



Perhaps one of the most common sources of disappointment is the great number of unprofitable 

 varieties that crowd our orchards and vineyards. When our first planting was done we did not 

 know by actual experience what varieties ^vould be successful, and, therefore, made manj' mistakes. 

 Again, some of us were led into error by the confusion of our nomenclature, often getting something- 

 very different from what we were seeking. To illustrate, I will cite an instance of this kind. In the 

 commercial orchard planted by Dr. Griswold twenty years ago and now owned by Mr. E. INIcCune, 

 are a number of trees which he received for (and supposed to be) Newtown Spitzenberg, but which 

 are really Red Canada. These trees have proved to be very hardy and productive, annually pro- 

 ducing good croi)s of handsome fruit of the best quality. The result has been that many who have 

 seen them in bearing have planted largely of Newtown Spitzenburg. When these trees come into 

 bearing their owners will find they have a variety that is entirely worthless. Probably one-half of 

 the trees planted in commercial orchards in this county were of those varieties that maj- be called 

 unprofitable. Nor are the conditions of our vineyards any more favorable. 



