PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 21 



(6.) There is yet another, dangerous because insidious, cause of the 

 decadence of our orchards, due to the anxiety, already spoken of, io get 

 out of a thing more than is in it. I refer to the tendency, so com- 

 mon with a large class of commercial planters, to plant varieties of low 

 quality, attractive only to the eye, and which are sure to be refused by 

 purchasers when once their character comes to be understood, which 

 practice can only have the ultimate effect, even already obvious to the 

 thoughtful observer, to banish our staple fruits from the dessert, to be 

 replaced in large degree by the citrus and other fruits of the south, thus 

 both reducing the demand for our northern product and diminishing its 

 market value. 



We just now find occasion to note yet another, though indirect, r&sult of 

 this short-sighted and unfortunate practice, to which may fairly and in 

 good degree, as we apprehend, be attributed the low estimate in which 

 pomology is obviously held by our state commission, and especially by the 

 authorities of the Columbian Exposition, as indicated by the very cavalier 

 treatment meted out to it from both sources. 



POSSIBILITY OF RECUPERATION. 



A full and careful consideration of the subject would doubtless develop 

 other, and perchance even more important, particulars; but, deeming these 

 ample for present consideration, we will only add a few suggestions respect- 

 ing remedies and then leave the subject. 



(1 and 2.) We are thoroughly convinced of the wisdom of the old, trite 

 aphorism, "Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well," which we 

 assume to mean, in this case, a careful study of the subject, followed by 

 thorough enrichment and cultivation of the soil, with wise and intelligent 

 treatment generally. 



(3. ) In the case of exposed plantations, the natural and obvious remedy 

 would be the planting of screens or windbreaks, and the preservation of 

 natural ones, to which may be added the training of trees with low heads, 

 especially in exposed locations. 



( 4 and 5, ) Acquaint yourselves with the habits of the enemy ; learn his 

 vulnerable points, and attack him at the greatest possible advantage, with 

 washes, sprays, knife, or other means, not forgetting to destroy all refuse 

 by fire or otherwise. As with animals, so with trees and plants; the most 

 vigorous are best able to resist disease. Therefore, spare no etfort to 

 maintain them in robust condition. 



(6.) The remedy in this case is so obvious as scarcely to require a state- 

 ment. There is no lack of varieties of satisfactory appearance, but slightly 

 if at all lacking in productiveness, and of good, and even high, quality. 

 Such as these, as has long been true of Rhode Island Greening and others, 

 only require acquaintance to command remunerative prices, while the 

 thorough trustworthiness of the grower only requires to be known upon 

 the market to insure ready sale, at the highest rates, for all he shall be 

 able to produce. 



Mr. C. W. Garfield: I think Mr. Lyon's paper is very suggestive, and 

 -we should elaborate his thoughts for ourselves. We, as horticulturists, are 

 thieves and robbers in the way we conduct business, stealing by our annual 

 crops all the fertility there is in the soil, yet returning nothing to it. We 



