No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 523 



the State being divided into districts; but it would seem that after 

 the farmers have been educated in regard to preparing the spraying 

 mixture, and the mode of applying it, they ought to give the sub- 

 ject proper attention every season thereafter themselves. Although 

 there are laws on the statute books for the prevenion of the spread 

 of diseases in fruit trees, and the extermination of insect enemies, 

 some further legislation appears to be needed to compel greater at- 

 tention to be given to these important matters. 



Probably the chief trouble is that the orchard is depended upon 

 largely for results with a thought that cultivation and care are 

 necessary. The farmer is, perhaps, too much engrossed with other 

 duties. The raising of grain or special crops may be more profit- 

 able. The dairy and hennery, with butter and eggs commanding 

 prices that can be considered highly remunerative, may be regarded 

 as all-important, and the orchard be consequently neglected. In- 

 deed, fruit-growing is such a branch of agriculture (or horticulture, 

 if 3'ou please) that it should be made a business of itself. It is 

 only by close application to all requirements, and assiduous atten- 

 tion, that fruit growing will be successful. With a proper observ- 

 ance of the methods that have proven advantageous in the raising 

 of fruit there can be no better-paying industry. 



Pennsylvania, in addition to her supreme position in the galaxy 

 of states on account of her mineral wealth, is great in agriculture 

 and horticulture. As a producer of apples she is second on the list, 

 and possessing, as she does, apple belts of superior soil and location, 

 should stand at the very head, excelling even New York, whose 

 climate, particularly in the western section, is so very favorable 

 for the apple. But Pennsylvania must have a little care that her 

 honors are not taken from her. Virginia, where the writer has 

 spent much of the past six years, is forging to the front as a fruit- 

 growing state. Commercial apple orchards have been established 

 containing from 45,000 to 100,000 trees. Apples are being exported 

 to England, where $5.50 to |6.50 per barrel is obtained for fancy 

 fruit. One dealer in Richmond made two shipments during the 

 season just closed of 25,000 barrels in each shipment, mostly of one 

 variety of apples, the Albemarle Pippin. In fact, but two or three 

 varieties are considered profitable, and in an orchard of 50,000 

 trees the only other variety than the Albemarle Pippin will likely be 

 the Winesap or Mammoth Black Twig. The Ben Davis, once very 

 popular, has been relegated to the rear. The York Imperial, a Penn- 

 sylvania favorite fa native of York county), is doing so well in 

 Virginia, that it is being quite generally planted. It grows to great- 

 er perfection in the Old Dominion, and its fine appearance and desir- 

 able quality as a good keeper make it very popular. By some per- 

 sons it is known as Johnson's Fine Winter. 



PROF. WATTS: In connection with the excellent report of Mr. 

 Tyson, I would like to hear at this time a discussion of the best win- 

 ter varieties of apples for Pennsylvania. It is not only the variety 

 that will yield the most bushels that should be planted, but that 

 variety which is most wanted by the markets and which will pro 

 duce the best returns in dollars and cents. We not only want quan- 

 tity, but we want what will yield the best returns on the market. 

 I should like to hear this question discnssed here to-day. 



MR. J. D. HERR: In the article read by Mr. Fox, reference is 

 made to the fact that fourteen years ago it was almost impossible 



