STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 61 



sick patient, whom he called to see, telliiif^ him he had just one more 

 chance for him — that he had mixed together all the kinds of medi- 

 cine that he knew the names of, and he must take the dose, and if 

 that didn't cure him he could do no more. I don't wish to be un- 

 derstood as saying anything disparaging of the agricultural univer- 

 sities, for T think they are doing a noble work ; but I do wish to be 

 understood as saying this : that neither the universities nor horticul- 

 tural societies have given attention to the apple tree of this region 

 commensurate with its value to the peo))le. 



It is conceded by all that the ai)ple stands at the head of the list 

 of horticultural ])roducts of the north temperate zone; therefore, 

 when the bearing trees of a half dozen States have been destroyed by 

 the rigors of the climate, it would seem that the people should become 

 suflficiently aroused to take some action, and such action as its im- 

 portance demands, individually, or through the horticultural socie- 

 ties, or their representatives in the State Legislature. 



It is not the province of this paper to point out any precise line 

 of action, but to call attention to the importance of some course of 

 procedure. The people of Iowa, through their Legislature, have 

 made a beginning by procuring trees and seeds from the high lati- 

 tudes of Russia, and started an experimental nursery, under the care 

 and direction of a horticultural genius at Ames, in the central part 

 of the State; but what has Illinois done, with all her wealth and 

 learning and horticultural wisdom? If anything, it has failed to 

 reach the writer of this paper. It is true that the people of the cen- 

 tral and southern portions of the state do not feel the weight of this 

 calamity as they do in the northern section; and to the members of 

 this Society, from this section, should this appeal come with full 

 force. They should see that some one is fouiul with the natural 

 ability, and proper educational qualitications, and the necessary zeal 

 for the apple, capable of studying the habitat of the apple trees of 

 the world, and sujjplied with ample means, and set to work to solve 

 the intricate proljlem of the apple tree for the Northwest. As it 

 may be the work of many years, a commeiicement can't be made too 

 soon. And if we will make a beginning here, and now, and persever- 

 ingly pursue the course, I think that Yankee ingenuity will be equal 

 to the emergency, and. that success will ultinuitely crown our efforts, 

 thus supplying millions of families with an abundance of the best of 

 fruit and adding untold wealth to the country. Hut before this can 

 be accom]ilishe(l the new horticulture will have been ushered in and 

 the old have passed away, and new men and ne\v methods taken their 

 places in a horticulture based upon scientific principles, in v/hich 

 guess-work and experiment are not necessarily resorted to. 



President Hryant — Before adjournment. 1 will name the follow- 

 ing additional committees: 



