328 TEANSACTIONS OF THE HORTICULTURAL 



expect to hear the verdict: the patient is convalescent, and all he 

 now needs is good care, nourishing diet and plenty of it, and he will 

 soon be himself again. 



But to be serious about the matter, the most important subject 

 that can engage the attention of the horticulturists of the northern 

 district is the condition of our apple orchards. Our trees are mostly 

 dead. Will the same varieties succeed as well in the future as they 

 have in the past, or have conditions changed so we cannot again re- 

 alize even the short-lived success of former years? Can we, by 

 changing the mode of propagation, secure hardier and more enduring 

 trees, or shall we rely upon the great eastern plains of the Old 

 World, and ascertain by crucial tests if any good thing can come out 

 of Russia? It may be the apple we are seeking will be grown upon 

 our own soil, from cross fertilization. Perhaps it will be a mixture 

 of the Russian, the crab, and our old varieties of Western Europe. 

 These are the questions that take precedence to-day, and these are 

 the problems that are clamoring for solution, and he will be a bene- 

 factor who can lead us aright. 



This is the only matter I wish to call your attention to, and will 

 recommend that due consideration and ample time be given for its 

 discussion at this meeting, and that we labor faithfully and unceas- 

 ingly, both as individuals and as a society, for a correct solution of 

 this question, knowing full well that it is only a question of time 

 and a faithful adherence to duty; for I never will believe that nature 

 made this grand and mighty West, almost unlimited in its resources, 

 without making it possible for us to attain to at least a fair degree 

 of success in horticultural pursuits. 



I have no special plan to recommend for the furtherance of this 

 object, but firmly believe that a properly conducted experimental 

 station is absolutely necessary for the successful prosecution of this 

 work. The destruction of the apple tree is so wide-spread that it be- 

 comes national in its nature, and it is only just and right that gov- 

 ernment aid should be extended toward building up stations of this 

 kind. 



Then let us use our best endeavors to secure the passage of the 

 bill, now before Congress, known as the Hatch bill; though not just 

 what we would like it, is perhaps the best general measure that can 

 be carried through the National Legislature. It being quite liberal 

 in the endowment will be a good foundation on which to rear the 

 superstructure. With this institution established in the central 

 part of the state, we could then present the needs of different local- 

 ities for special stations for horticultural work to our Legislature, 

 with a fair prospect of an appropriation being granted. 



There are other great interests, second only to the apple, to be 

 brought forward at this meeting. The forestry interest, the grape, 

 cherry, plum, strawberry, and all the small fruits, with vegetable 

 gardening and home adornment, will all have their turn in accord- 

 ance with our programme. 



