234 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



determine. It is true, also, that some of our "'apple-stock''' is very tender, 

 and some is very hardy. 



I find, also, that the tender varieties are more subject to the ravages of 

 the borer and the armies of insects that prey upon our fruit trees, and that 

 among this class we find the largest per cent, of inferior and wormy fruit. If 

 any one will take the pains to visit the orchards of tliis and adjoining counties, 

 as I have done, and study the different varieties as to health, hardiness and 

 the quality of fruit borne, I think they will bear me out in this conclusion. 



In the light of these facts, may we not only be able to submit to that immut- 

 able law that knows no change, but to act more wisely in the selection and dis- 

 tribution of those hardy varieties of fruits that have been showered upon us in 

 abundance for our comfort by the All-wise Giver " of every good and perfect 

 gift," such as the Northern Spy, Ben Davis, Newark Pippin, Yellow Belle- 

 ileur, American Golden Kusset, Duchess of Oldenburgli, Lyscom, Fameuse 

 or Snow, Shiwassee Beauty, Seek-No-Further, Red Astrachan, Early Harvest, 

 Spice Sweet, Talmon Sweet, Autumn Strawberry, Primate, Rambo and Canada 

 Red, which should be top-grafted under all circumstances. 



I have occasionally read statements in some of our New York papers much 

 like the following: '* If I were to plant 100 apple trees for market, I would set 

 out ninety-nine Baldwins, and then set out the other a Baldwin." Have seen 

 much the same language with reference to the Roxbury Russet, King of Tom- 

 kins county, etc., etc. Now it is unfortunate for many that such statements 

 could not be qualified as to locality, for it is well known that the above named 

 varieties flourish exceedingly well in Western New York, and yet this fact is 

 not altogether true of many parts of Michigan, and would not be wise for the 

 farmers of Genesee county to act upon. 



The spring of 1875, following that very severe winter, I visited several places 

 in the State of New York, and gathered some facts that I will compare with 

 others in Michigan and Wisconsin. In the counties of Western New York, 

 bordering on Lake Ontario, Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, the thermometer had 

 reached 0^ below zero. At Canandaigua, Geneva and Auburn it had been 

 somewhat colder. At Syracuse and Utica there was a marked difference, while 

 at Norwich, N. Y., the thermometer had reached 34° below zero. At Bing- 

 haniton, Oswego, Elmira, 35° below. In this city (Flint), if I am correctly 

 informed, 33° below, February Oth, 1875, Kalamazoo, Mich., 34° below. Grand 

 Rapids, 40"" below, Beloit, Wis., 40° below, Sparta, Wis., 48° below; while at 

 South Haven, Mich., February 9th, it touched 16° below only for a few 

 minutes. 



The next autumn they had a line crop of poaches in Western New York, and 

 if my memory serves me right, there was a light crop in the southwest part of 

 this State. I mention these facts to show how important it is that wo study 

 the climate of our locality as compared with others, and hope in the future 

 that we may be able to act more wisely and judiciously. 



Ex-Governor Bagley's name was next upon the programme, but a telegram 

 had just been received from him expressing his regret that a severe cold pre- 

 vented his being present. 



