144 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc, 



The nomenclature problem is entitled to a great deal more at- 

 tention than is nsuallv accorded to it. At a fair which the speaker 

 attended last fall, certain well-known varieties w^ere designated 

 by conspicuous cards by the rather startling iiame», ''Bull Apple," 

 ''Stallion Apple,'' "Slaughter Apple,'' etc., and other names equally 

 new to pomological literature. Near the same exhibit was the dis- 

 play of a modest farmer who displayed fifty varieties, all free from 

 imperfections, because he sprayed his trees, while everj- variety 

 was correctly named. To prove that "mistakes w^ill happen in the 

 best of families," the speaker will merely mention the fact that at 

 a session of the American Pomological Society, held at Philadelphia, 

 some one had inadvertently placed an exhibit of the Japan golden 

 russet pears among the several varieties of the russet apples. 



No single association has done as much for the dissemination 

 of pomological knowledge as the State Horticultural Association, 

 with the assistance received by the officers and members of the 

 county agricultural organizations. They are the medium by which 

 those directly interested can best be reached. Greater harmony and 

 uniformity, so far as the naming, displaying and examination of 

 fruits, as well as the general principles which regulate awards of 

 premiums, is needed. 



Nature evidently intended Pennsylvania for a great fruit garden 

 to supply the denizens of New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburg and 

 other places now^ within easy access through the means of the rail- 

 w^ay facilities which we have at our command. If we but do our 

 full duty, horticulture will be no longer only an accompaniment to 

 farm life. The State and county fairs are awakening to the duty, 

 as the enlarged premium schedules will attest. The Commonwealth 

 fshould also render that practical help that this association requires 

 to make the best possible showing. William Penn. writing in 1683, 

 mentioned the fact that "chestnuts, walnuts, plums, strawberries, 

 cranberries and whortleberries were growing abundantly in the 

 woods," and also referred to the great abundance of grapes. He 

 declared that in his opinion a thing would grow best where it grew 

 naturally. Would that it were possible for Penn to visit some of 

 the orchards and vineyards that are the pride of Pennsylvanian's 

 to-day! 



The writer begs leave to incorporate the following ideas and sug- 

 gestions for your attention, and discussion, if time permits: 



1. Increase the scope and extent of horticultural displays at State 

 and county fair« by offering more liberal premiums. Do not fail 

 to make them as liberal as possible. 



2. Do not fail to offer premiums for new varieties that may be 

 considered worthy of dissemination. A new variety of apple on 

 exhibition mav attract as much attention as the largest pumpkin. 



