STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 221 



The last f rperience in- established this fact. And our orchards have 



become unproductive, to an extent alarming to the lovers of good fruit. Similar com- 

 plaints, it i- true, reach us from most of the Eastern Btates— so that to some extent it 

 may be ascribed to nnpropiti • as, which have occasionally occurred in all the his- 



tory of fruit culture. The failure has been more general in the Northwest than eke- 

 where; showing that there must be some cause that operates here, with more intensity 

 to produce th sive failures. 



There are Bome localities which have produced good average crops of fruit during the 

 most nnfavbi i ion.*, showing that the cause of failure is not general but local. 



Our intelligent horticulturists bave with a persistent industry worthy bo important a 

 Bubject, sought the cause and the remedy. Microscopic insect ravages, and fungoid 

 iwth have come in for a full Bhare of investigation — researches in this direction are 

 worth all they cost, merely as a curiosity, and they are, doubtless, destined to result in 

 immense benefit to the product ion of fruit — for when the cause of dls sase i- kno i n, the 

 i- more easily found — and the history of Insect life is the necessary requisite to 

 their destruction. 



All inquiries and investigations in that direction should be encouraged and aided by 

 every means in our power. But while the microscopist is busy with his glass, and the 

 mologist is after the bugs — there are certain other consideration- deserving atten- 

 tion, there are laws which govern both animal and vegetable growth, and reproduction, 

 whose observance is the first requisite of success. , 



I am Btrongly impressed with the opinion that specific remedies for animal or vegeta- 

 ble disease arc of only partial utility, and that hygienic and sanitary agencies for their 

 prevention are of more value, than all the curative remedies ever used. 



Remove the causes which produce malaria from an infected district, and it will do 

 more to eradicate ague and fever than all the drugs in Christendom. 



A farinaceous and fruit diet, with proper exercise, a cheerful mind, rational and exhil- 

 erating amusement, will prevent, or cure, bronchitis or dyspepsia better than any 

 nostrum. 



Obey the laws of your being, live well, but temperately, on the fruits and grains of 

 your fields and orchards; remove all impurities from your premises ; breathe pure and 

 fresh air, day and night ; make yourself and fellows happy by doing good to others, and 



it will more effectually prevent or eradicate typlmid fever than any remedy. 



Eat to live, and drink only nature's beverage; exercise regularly and temperately; 

 Bin neither against your fellow, nor against yourself, and you will never know gout or 

 rheumat i m. 



I have digressed in making these remarks, for the purpose of showing that there is a 

 • analogy between the laws which govern animal and vegetable life. And to show 



that th.' normal state of both animal- and vegetables i- that of health — and thai disease 



i- abnormal and th': result of wrong conditions. And that when wrong conditions in- 

 duce disease all tie' remedies known are of but little use, they generally only palli 

 while tie' disease and remedies Bap ami destroy the vitality, a i iturntothe normal 

 condition i- the most efficient and safe remedy. But better still never to leave the nor- 

 mal condition. 



Now. a- every animal, so every tree has its natural wants, and requisite conditions; to 

 rear th >m successfully those want.- must be Bupplicd. Each variety of tree ha- its appro- 

 priate soil, climate and situation —one tlower here on the river bank where its roots are 



