148 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



of c-oui'se, DO one questions the benefit of cioss fertilization in fruit 

 growing. It has been announced by Darwin that "nature abhors 

 self-fertilization." This is a generalization, of course, but it is es- 

 sentially true; and the numerous devices to bring this about, with 

 which flowers of the different orders of plants are supplied, only em- 

 phasizes the desirability of man following up the cue which nature 

 has given him and planting his trees in such a way that interpollina- 

 tion may take place with a fair degree of certainty. Of course, 

 some varieties of apples are self-fertile, like the Baldwin. Again, 

 other varieties are self-sterile in part, like the Northern Spy, and 

 many of the newer kinds recently being introduced from the Ozark 

 regions. The beneficial effects of cross-fertilization, then, may be 

 briefly stated under three heads, and these generalizations are based 

 on actual experiments w'hich have taken place during the past ten 

 years: (1) The yield of fruit may be increased; (2) the size of fruit is 

 frequently increased; (3) in some instances the appearance of the fruit 

 is modified. These changes in color and form are less constant and 

 more fortuitous than the increase in size and yield, but all orchard- 

 ists have had occasion at some time or other to note the changed ap- 

 pearance of a row of Ureenings standing along side of a row of Bald- 

 wins or Russets, for instance. This would look like an efl'ect of the 

 pollen ou the fruit of the same season. Here we have an unusual re- 

 sult, because, as a rule, cross-pollination does not aiTect the fruit, 

 that is, the horticulturist's fruit, the same season. 



Hon. Thos. J. Edge, formerly Secretary of Agriculture, then 

 favored the Association with a very interesting address on his recent 

 trip around the world. 



On motion, a vote of thanks was tendered to Mr. Edge, whereupon 

 the Association adjourned until 2 o'clock. 



Tuesday, January 22, 2.30 P. M. 



Having called the meeting to order the chair announced the fol- 

 fowing appointments: 



Delegates to the Annual Meeting of the State Board of Agricu- 

 lture: Wm. H. Moon, J. E. Jamison, E. W. Thomas, Wm. H. Stout 

 and Daniel D. Herr. 



Henry C. Suavely was appointed chairman of General Fruit Com- 

 mittee. 



''Spraying, Its Uses and Abuses," was the subject of an oral ad- 

 dress by Calvin Cooper, Bird-in-Hand, Pa. The following is a brief 

 report of his very practical remarks: 



