460 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



The times and places of mooting: and the essayists for the same are 

 ni-nuijrod by the Executive Committee, and the sessions are intended to 

 instruct and entertain all those who may come, not only in horticulture, 

 but other subjects, as our members are representative of many industries. 



The articles on our exhibition tables are quite interesting, embracing 

 the products of farm, orchard and garden. These are usually the best 

 obtainable, and act as a stimulus to renewed effort to others in like pur- 

 suits. 



The essayists treat of such subjects as pertain to the common interests, 

 of all, and being from our ablest local writers, the addresses are published 

 in our county newspapers for the benefit of the public in general. 



Annually, the names of some of our members are inscribed on tne 

 Roll of Death, and we deeply realize the loss sustained the past year of 

 several valuable members, who have been taken from our midst. 



FRUITS. 



With fruit trees in an. excellent bearing condition, much anxiety was 

 felt during the winter and early spring that nothing would interfere with 

 a good crop of fruit. But the May 4th freeze was too much. The fruit 

 buds that wei"e mostly open were almost totally destroyed and all hopes 

 were for a time abandoned. Latent buds put forth, giving a new set of 

 fruit on our trees, canes, vines and phuits. The amount of bloom was far 

 less than at the first, and a much lighter crop was gathered. 



Although our peach trees ripened but an occasional peach, yet the trees 

 are healthy and many young trees are being set, so that when conditions 

 ai'e favorable they will be ready to yield a good crop of this delicious 

 fruit. 



A much larger amount of apples were grown than was expected. Al- 

 though but a few summer varieties did well, the autumn and winter sorts 

 were fairly plenty. Exceptional orchards did well, and much fruit has 

 been shipped to other cities and states. Several new orchards are being 

 set, embracing most of the standard varieties, a majority of which are 

 known as winter ones, so that in the near future it is hoped this county 

 will be able to supply its immediate demands from its own bearing trees. 



An almost total failure of the cherry crop, which was chiefly due to 

 Ihe May freeze that killed most of the fruit buds that were at that time 

 so far advanced. Some trees, however, fruited fairly well, but the insects 

 and our native birds took most of them. Many new cherry trees are 

 being set in door-yards and gardens, chiefly the Early Richmond and 

 Montmorency. 



Scarcely a plum in most orchards. A few fruit men had a fair yield 

 from some of the Damson trees that have so far escaped the black knot. 

 But little planting of these trees of any variety in this locality has been 

 lecently undertaken. 



