INDIANA lIOirriCUI.TUKAT. SOCIKTY. 405 



iMr. Custer: I presume the Apple Consumers' League have apples 

 ou the table in the sittiug-room every evenuig, if not all daj-, so tliey will 

 have plenty of apples to eat before bedtime. 



President Stevens: We will now hear from Dr. Van Vohris. 



Dr. Van Vorliis: 1 feel (piite a good deal ni' cinliarrassnii'iil in (•oininii 

 before you wiUi a paper this evening, as 1 am not a fruit grower nor Uio 

 son of a fruit grower. 



TREE SURGERY. 



DR. F. J. VAN VORHIS, INDIANAPOLIS. 



Life is tlu^ mystery of the universe. What it is we do not know, and 

 there does not appear to be much reasonable probability we ever shall 

 know. We know there is something that when added to matter makes 

 growth and reproduction, but what it is or what is the relation we do 

 not know. Whatever may be that relation it does not appear to be vei-y 

 stable. It is easily disturbed or destroyed, and that which was a living 

 body becomes dead inert matter, given over to decay and disintegration 



Theologians and scientists may continue to contend about hoAv life 

 began or how it will end. One knows as much about it as the other, 

 and that is nothing at all. What is the difference between plant and 

 animal life, or whether there is any difference, we have not the most 

 remote conception. We may, however, if we have any power of observa- 

 tion, learn many things about its manifestations and the methods and 

 laws of its work. 



The horticulturist who, among his Howers, his plants and his tiees. 

 does not stand in awe of this great mystery of life, growth and repiodm- 

 tion. is not fitted for the work he is trying to do. The man who is at- 

 tempting to manage trees, protect them and assist them in growth and 

 development, ought never for one moment to forget that they are living 

 things, and that he is dealing with life; a living structure; a living organ- 

 ism. The life of vegetation depends as much on organization upon struc- 

 ture as does the life of an animal. 



A tree has organs of nutrition. It receives and appropriates food. It 

 lias oi'gans of elimination by wliich it gets rid of waste matter. It 

 is interesting to know that to a considerable extent the waste of vegetable 

 life sui)ports animal life; that the waste of animal life supports mikI 

 assists In the growth of vegetation. Trees and people are mutually lu'U)- 



