500 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



REPOKT OF GENERAL FKITIT COMMITTEE FOR 1904. 



Bv Phof. R. L. Watts, Chdirman. 



A careful study of the reports of correspondents reveals the fact 

 that nearly every line of horticulture is making decided advance- 

 ment in this great State. Much encouragement is to be found in 

 the 1904 reports. Very few write in a pessimistic tone, although all 

 have had difficulties to overcome. But the obstacles which at times 

 seem to be almost unsurmountable are no greater than the bar- 

 riers encountered in sister states. We believe Pennsylvania gard- 

 eners and fruit growers have as much grit, wisdom and determina- 

 tion as horticulturists in neighboring states, and the battles to be 

 fought here are no greater — victory requiring hard fighting any- 

 where and everywhere. 



We repeat that there is much encouragement in the 1904 reports. 

 They indicate progress. Disputed questions are being settled slowl;f 

 but surely. Information is more positive and more definite. We 

 know better what to plant, how to plant, and how to care for our 

 plantations. 



APPLES. 



The 1904 apple crop in Pennsylvania was much larger than last 

 year, and probably above the average. Only seven correspondents 

 report a light yield; eleven a medium crop; twenty a good crop, and 

 quite a number in reporting the yield used such terms as "enorm- 

 ous," "the largest," "very large," and "extremely large." The 

 quality in most counties has been good or excellent, some reporting 

 the best. The main complaint has been small sized fruit on account 

 of overbearing, and protracted drouth in some sections. Twenty- 

 five correspondents state that their apples are keeping well. About 

 half this number report that their fruit is keeping fairly well and 

 a few express disappointment as to keeping qualities. 



The answers to the question, "Which are the three most profitable 

 apples in your county," are exceedingly interesting. Of the fifty- 

 five growers who answer this question, thirty-five give the Bald- 

 win first place. The vote in favor of this popular old variety is 

 practically unanimous in Baldwin counties — that is where climatic 

 conditions are favorable to this variety. York Imperial is forced 

 to second place. The eighteen votes in its favor come almost en- 

 tirely from southeastern counties. Although Baldwin takes first 

 place as a money maker, there are few lai^ge commercial orchards 

 of this variety, but the number of such plantations is increasing. 

 It is doubtful whether any of our Baldwin growers can show up 

 profits equal to those of the York Imperial enthusiasts. But a 

 vigorous note of warning runs throughout the 1904 reports regard- 

 ing the most profitable varieties of apples. The once popular com- 

 mercial apple, Ben Davis, is voted down so far as cultivation in 



