No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 7S5 



Mr. Chase cousidcied Snvder and Tavl<Ji- the best vai-ieties. 



Dr. Mayer iuqiiired about Minnewaski. 



Prof. Watts stated that with him it is not productive. It is all 

 right in quality, but does not jjroduce the bushels. 



After brief diseussiou, Harrisburg was selected as the place for 



ilding next annual meeting-. 



The following address was then given : 



WHAT NEXT? 



BYcGabriel Hiesteb, Harrisburg, Pa. 



This is a question which confronts the horticulturist on every 

 hand. Last season was one of the most trying ever experienced, 

 and many established theories of the past seem to have been over- 

 thrown. After each new trouble I have asked myself, "What Next.'' 

 and I have concluded to take this text as a basis for a few remarks. 



The question of proper altitude for orchard planting has been fre- 

 quently discussed, and the conclusion arrived at was that just above 

 the fog line of our valleys v;as the ideal location for orchards, and 

 that a northern exposure would protect from late frosts. This, how- 

 ever, did not hold good the past year, as a majority of the orchards 

 that were a success, were below the fog line. This shows that we 

 cannot lay down any rule that will always work out. 



The question of spraying also presents new problems. Liquid 

 spraying is troublesome to prepare and disagreeable to handle. 

 Dust spray has been highly recommended, and if it proves satisfac- 

 tory, can be applied more conveniently and cheaply, and in one-third 

 of the time. My experience with it during the past season was not 

 satisfactory, as it was too wet "and the material was washed off. 1 

 would like to have this question further discussed. 



No less important is the problem of farm help. Never, in an ex- 

 perience of 30 years, have I had so much trouble in securing satisfac- 

 tory help. It is almost impossible to get native help, and we may yet 

 be compelled to employ foreigners. Some of them are trustworthy 

 and industrious, but they do not understand our ways of living and 

 could not be taken into our homes. If adjoining farmers would nuiie 

 and build cheap dwellings for small colonies their help might be 

 secured as needed. 



50—6—1903 



