Tbansactions at the Annual Meeting. 15S 



ditions, even within very narrow limits, that the most definite 

 direction we feel safe in giving to those who want to set out an 

 orchard, is to look and see what kinds are doing best near them, 

 in similar conditions with the location they have selected, and to 

 plant those. We cannot expect those who are not acquainted 

 with our conditions of soil, climate and location to be able to lav 

 down for us any rules we would be willing to follow or to rec- 

 ommend, nor would we dare to instruct those of whose wants 

 and circumstances we know little or nothing. In the preparation 

 of such a manual for our own state, there would be some points 

 on which any three members we might select would not agree, 

 and could they agree, the society would not be willing to indorse 

 their views unless expressed in terms so general as to leave them 

 very indefinite. If such a work is to be prepared, it sbould be 

 by some one person, and be based on personal experience and 

 observation ; stand on its own merits, and be received for what it 

 is worth. 



SECEETAEY'S EEPOET.^ 



Gentlemen of ilie State Boriicultural Society: — The work of 

 the society the past season has been much the same in 

 character as in the two previous years, and there is little 

 of change to be noted in the condition of its affairs. But. 

 while it may seem to us as though we were traveling in the same 

 old beaten path from year to year; discussing the same old sub- 

 jects over and over again, and at best are only presenting old 

 ideas in a new form, we cannot judge of the progress made, the 

 good done, by looking at the present alone. We cannot estimate 

 the importance, the real value of our work by its effect on our- 

 selves. To the public, what appears commonplace and of little 

 value to us, because of our familiarity with it in the experience 



iln consequence of loss of the manuscript while on the way to the 

 annual meeting, the secretary's report was not presented in the usual manner^ 

 but as some of the points mentioned in it were given at the meeting, and part 

 of the facts therein stated are matters of record and of general public interest,, 

 the main portions of it are given here, as if presented in the regular form. 



