STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 95 



on the side of the twig, and of a lighter color and covered with a 

 sort of fustian coating. By a careful search for these cones upon 

 the limbs of the trees during their nudity, we may destroy the 

 most of them. For it is a remarkable fact that but a very few, 

 probably not more than one in a thousand, of the myriads of cater- 

 pillars that destroyed our apple crop last year, survived the period 

 of their chrysalis state. The larger portion of them died immedi- 

 ately after becoming full grown ; and I think their destruction 

 was mainly caused by an active little gnat or maggot furnished 

 with a sharp-pointed proboscis, with which he penetrated the body 

 of the caterpillar. 



Another enemy to fruit growers is the codling moth, which 

 punctures the fruit in its immature state, leaving an egg in the 

 tender skin, and daring the growth of the fruit the worm eats its 

 ■way into the very core, producing such a deformity and imperfec- 

 tion in the fruit as to make it quite unsaleable and oftentimes unfit 

 for use Much of the injury of this worm may, I think, be pre- 

 vented by the pasturing of our orchards with sheep, which would 

 eat up all the dead fruit as it fell, tliereby destroying the worm 

 and preventing a succeeding generation. Sheep husbandry also 

 of itself I deem a profitable branch of agriculture, as ,well as a 

 profitable aid to fruit growing. 



In treating upon the different subjects which I have but merely 

 hinted at in this short essay, I have not had in view an idea of 

 presenting anything new to any of the members of the Pomologi- 

 cal Society, but if by any laudable means I may aid and encourage 

 others in the adoption of that system of agriculture which is the 

 most promotive of peace, pleasure and profit, I shall be a joint 

 sharer with you in those many blessings which are constantly'' 

 being shed upon His dependent children by our Heavenly Father, 



The President. There are several important questions which 

 may profitably be considered in connection with the subject pre- 

 sented, one of the principal of which is : Can fruit growing 

 he projitably conducted in connection with general farming? 

 Another very suggestive question is : Which is the most profit- 

 able, raising fruit for market, or growing common farm crops 

 and keeping domestic animals ? These are subjects which may 

 be discussed this afternoon, and which admit of a wide range of 

 views, and they are questions that may come home to some 

 farmers following the higher methods of cultivation. We know 



