316 ANNUAL. REPORT OF THi£ Off. Doc. 



they kuow. 1 can, well remember when we had but two or three 

 varieties of Zonale Geraniums. The General Grant was introduced, 

 and although it had small flowers, it had an exceedingly large truss, 

 a brilliant scarlet, and there is not a better bedding geranium to-day. 

 Holland and French bulbs were comparatively rare, or at least not 

 used largely for bedding as now. Planted in October and Novem- 

 ber, they make a brilliant display in early spring. 



When I came here in 1864, the florist business was, in a measure, 

 in its infancy, and oftimes the outlook not very bright. Some of 

 the duties are not alw^ays pleasant and agreeable, but to one who has 

 his heart in the work, it is entertaining, and no one need be ashamed 

 to follow it. We cannot, perhaps, expect to get wealthy, but can 

 make a comfortable living. 



PENNSYLVANIA AS A FKUIT GROWING STATE. 



By Pkof. JOHN HAMILTON. Secfctdry of Ayriculture. 



Before taking up the subject upon which I expect to speak, I want 

 to commend the views, in regard to education, advanced by your 

 President in his address this evening. I believe we must improve 

 agriculture by beginning with the rising generation — the children — 

 inculcating in their minds a love for nature and nature study. 



In arranging for our Farmers' Institutes last fall, this idea of 

 nature study in our common schools was made a special feature of 

 our institute work. The results thus far have been most gratifying. 

 The audiences have been enthusiastic in their approval and are in- 

 quiring why a movement in this direction was not begun years ago. 

 We need nature study in our public schools, and we will have it be- 

 fore many Aears. You all are familiar with the changes that have 

 been effected in our leading colleges in teaching the natural sciences, 

 Within twenty years the same revolution will take place in our com- 

 mon schools. 



In order that our teachers can have literature to which they can 

 refer, the Department of Agriculture is now in correspondence with 

 more than 200 leading educators in the United States and Canada, 

 with the view of securing a list of the best standard works on the 

 natural sciences adapted for use as a library in our public schools. 

 We hope in this way to secure advice from the most capable instruc- 

 tors in this country on this important subject. But this is prelim- 

 inarv to what I want to sav. 



