STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 237 



too tender for general planting here; such as Baldwin, Swaar, etc., etc., do succeed 

 well on the top and cold side of our hills and bluffs, proving comparatively durable and 

 fruit full. 



Therefore I recommend the highest, riryest, and coldest location — provided it have the 

 suitable soil — and protection from the southwest wind, for the preservation of the 

 fruit from excessive winds. 



The second general topic, is that of Insects and Diseases, which I do not propose 

 to discuss In detail, but to offer for your consideration, the following propositions: 



1st. That many insects which we commonly class aiming the aggressive or destroy- 

 ing species, are simply scavengers, and their work is more of a subsequent, than a 

 precedent, or first cause of decay and death. 



•2nd. That the presence of Fungus or Cryptogamous affections is dependent mainly 

 upon the want of a healthy vital action, and therefore, a. subsequent rather than prece- 

 dent. Granted the truth of either or both the above propositions, then 



3d. That the first requisite of the tree grower, is to secure a healthy vital action ; and 

 that the grand error of the tree growers of the West, has been the excessive stimulus 

 applied to the tree by planting on too rich soil, and too warm locations, both inducing 

 an excessive and prolonged growth, inconsistent with the development of hardihood, 

 resulting in ruptured vessels — vitiated sap, inviting the whole brood of disease-boring 

 insect B, ;md their vegetable brothers, the cryptogamies, to come to the feast as scaven- 

 gers, even before death. 



4th. That the scourge known as Blight, fire-blight, etc. is a result, following the cause 

 aforesoid ; or a disease of the circulation, which may be denominated Vegetable Apoplexy, 

 being ttie direct result from over engorgement of the Sap-vessels ; showing itself more 

 frequently in the rich alluvial soils of the West, and under atmospheric conditions, 

 favorable to excessive growth. 



This view of the disease named, has the support of analogy iu the standard pathol- 

 ogy of apoplexy iu the human system ; also iu partial rule, that opposite catises produce 

 Ukr efft ets ; as in the effects of freezing and burning, so the effect of a total absence of 

 food, and an excess upon the human brain. 



The results of " fire-blight" upon any part of the tree, are similar in appearance to 

 that of a branch or part cut off in full vigor, but with abundance of sap ; the first dies 

 from want of vital action to use it. 



Who can suppose that a small worm, almost imperceptible to the naked eye, could 

 produce such immediate results. I think this theory a failure, especially, when its most 

 ardent supporters have found them present In very exceptionable cases. 



Gentlemen, of the N. 111. llort. Soc, I have thrown before you the foregoing proposi- 

 tions and remarks, with much regret that I could not review them with you in person, 

 but trust you will carefully consider them, and in due time Investigate these 

 phenomena. 



Eoping, that as we know more of the truths of horticulture, we may know the great 

 truth of human life, our true relations to the Infinite. 



