SECRETARY'S REPORT. 61 



than likely that a sufficient number of circumstances would be 

 found to be common to all tbe cases, to afford a rational expla- 

 nation of the disease, and to point with tolerable precision to the 

 treatment proper for its removal. Self-esteem, resulting from 

 ignorance, excites in the minds of large numbers of men the 

 hope of first crying "Eureka" in cases of this kind, and the 

 pride of tbe individual and of his friends exults in the sensa- 

 tion which follows the first announcement in print of the name 

 of the discoverer. We do not expect from persons under the 

 controling influence of such feelings tbe necessary caution 

 which alone can lead to reliable results. But clear minds 

 enough exist among the farmers of New England, to carry on 

 tbe investigation of vegetable disease with the care and patience 

 required, and it is to be ardently desired that such minds should 

 apply their energies to tbe work, that by a gradual accumulation 

 of facts only, we may be able to see our way through the mists 

 which now envelope the subject. 



John C. Bartlett. 



Wm. G. Lewis. 



W. S. Clark. 



Tbe committee on Fruits and Fruit Culture presented two 

 Reports, one on General Fruit Culture, by M. P. Wilder, and 

 one on the Culture of tbe Grape, by E. W. Bull. 



REPORT 



ON GENERAL FRUIT CULTURE. 



Pomology as a science, in Massachusetts, and indeed in the 

 United States, is yet in its infancy. We have but just entered 

 the field which we are to cultivate, and have gathered a few 

 first fruits of tbe bountiful harvest which encourages and is to 

 reward our endeavors. 



But, when we reflect upon the success which has attended 

 the growth of particular fruits upon a few acres, under judi- 

 cious cultivation, — upon the obstacles over which science and 

 practical skill have already triumphed, — upon the industry, 

 intelligence and enterprise of our fellow-citizens, which has 

 been, and will continue to be, more and more devoted to this 

 branch of terraculture, — upon the amount of land in our State 



