Annual Meeting — Report op Secretary. 93 



variety of soils, and greater diversity of outward conditions; the 

 great variability of our climate in general and in special localities; 

 the versatility in the combination of extremes; and the apparently 

 inexplicable modifying or intensifying effect of local influences on 

 these extremes, frequently giving nearly opposite results in places 

 not far removed, will not admit of an infallible rule, or the announce- 

 ment of any definite general fact, except it be that of uncertainty. 

 After years of instruction under that most excellent teacher, expe- 

 rience, we settled upon a list of "iron clads," and fondly hoped we 

 had " something to tie to;" but we soon learned that their inherent 

 hardiness was not perfect, but only relative, enabling them to en- 

 dure a little harder pressure of adverse conditions. In some in- 

 stances, facts seem to prove that varieties regarded as tender have 

 greater power of endurance than the sc-called hardy ones. This 

 shows the necessity for caution; for a thorough study of tbe situa- 

 tion and careful statement of results lest we further mislead our- 

 selves and others. By a careful observation of facts, and the noting 

 of each deviation from general results, and tracing it back to the 

 producing cause or condition, we may not establish a general 

 rule, but may discover the conditions of soil, location and culture 

 most favorable to success. To go safely, we must observe more, 

 theorize less. We must work out the problem, not by multiplying 

 rules, but by adding up conditions and results, and then prove the 

 process by getting like results from like conditions elsewhere. To 

 do this work more expeditiously and thoroughly, our system of obser- 

 vation ought to be subdivided, and the duty of reporting on spec- 

 ial subjects in the different districts, be assigned, either by the 

 district committee or by the society, to those persons who by natural 

 tastes, experience and location are the best fitted for the work. As 

 it is now, all we can expect is a general statement as to the condi- 

 tion of a very few of the many important things that ought to be 

 reported upon. What we want is an accumulation of actual facts 

 and definite results, whether favorable or adverse, with the accom- 

 panying conditions. 



The old law in relation to the collection by the town assessors of 

 certain fruit statistics, was changed last winter, in accordance with 

 the recommendation of our society, and as a result, we have much 

 more satisfactory returns; but the secretary of state complains that 

 owing to the incompetency of many of the assessors, they are still 



