INJ)1A^'A JlUKTJCLi.TURAT. SULli-.IV. 369 



products as is in our power With the means provided, that we do some- 

 thing to advertise to the world what we have done and can do along 

 horticultural lines, and invite all who are lumtinc: new locations and 

 opportunities to better their conditions and surroundings to locate among 

 us and avail themselves of the advantages we offer in the way of cheap 

 lands and superior advantages. A reasonable part of the State's funds 

 can not be expended to better advantage than to prepare an extensive 

 monograph setting forth the natural adaptability of our soil for fruit pro- 

 duction, together with facts showing what has been accomplished by our 

 best growers, as Avell as proi)abilities and possibilities of future develop- 

 ment. 



The last Legislature gave us an increased annual allowance for carry- 

 ing on the work this Society is engaged in, and I feel sure that this 

 amount will be increased from time to time as we need it and prove 

 worthy of the trust. Indiana has never been niggardly in the appropria- 

 tion of funds to push along any of her agricultural institutions. 



This Society has successfully inaugurated the enterprise of developing 

 the apple, which is no doubt the most important branch of horticulture In 

 this State. We have a farm of twenty acres, neatly fenced, that is being 

 devoted to the apple industi-y, the main object being the development of 

 new varieties of fruit. Better fruit is always a laudable ambition with 

 the intelligent fruit grower. Now, if this enterprise is not being pushed 

 forward as rapidly as it should be, I would suggest that steps be talien 

 to put more means and labor into it, and that there be a board of advis- 

 ing directors appointed to visit the farm at stated intervals, to assist in 

 planning the work and making it more effective, and that they report an- 

 nually to this Society, together with the manager of the farm, what has 

 been accomplished. 



The apple can not receive too much attention at our hands. Quite a 

 large area of our State is especially adapted to its cultivation in a com- 

 mercial way. The outlook for the scientific orchardist was never better, 

 for no first-class fruit is to be found any more in the neglected orchard, 

 and the price of good apples varies very httle from year to year. The 

 young fruit grower need not be afraid to set out an apple orchard if he 

 is ready to study the conditions of success and to do the work needed to 

 carry them out. 



This Society should adopt a standard bushel box for packing and han- 

 dling apples. This sort of package has come to stay, notwithstanding the 

 fact that commission merchants do not favor it. It seems to be in special 

 demand among consumers and those who cater to the retail trade. It Is 

 especially adapted to handling the best grade of fruit. Hardly any two 

 States have boxes of the same dimensions. The standard apple box Is 

 intended to contain fifty pounds of fruit, or about the same as the Win- 

 chester bushel. In view of the fact tliat the bu.«!hol box is growing in 

 favor, its dimensions should be agreed upon by this Society, and the next 



24-Agri. 



