26 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



well for a few years in one locality, to conclude that they will always continue to 

 do 80. The same is true in a great measure of other products of all countries. 

 Some of our eastern States, once famous for the production of an abundant suppljr 

 of apples for home use a'nd to export, are now looking to the west (the apple garden 

 of the world) for their supply. As our peach orchard failed, we enlarged our apple- 

 orchard, largely Ben Davis, which have paid us well — better than we expected, 

 and the only two mistakes we are willing to plead guilty to on the apple orchard is^ 

 that we did not plant more and take better care o< them . A few were allowed to 

 be destroyed with gophers and borers. One can more fully realize what a mistake- 

 and loss this is in after years when looking along a tine row loaded with fruit 

 worth $10 per tree ; said row has 20 trees and five vacancies where trees were 

 destroyed. This mistake cost us $50 in one year, to say nothing of the loss in the 

 bearing life-time of each tree. Fifty cents spent at the right time would have pre- 

 vented the loss One of the great mistakes of horticulturists in former years waa 

 planting too many varieties, but one extreme follows another; this is human nature 

 in all countries, and for the last few years the tendency is to plant too few varieties. 

 Especially is this true as to the early summer and autumn apples, the planting of 

 which for market is being almost wholly neglected. There should be enough of 

 the very best and leading varieties planted to give a supply of fruit in succession 

 throughout the season . This the coming market will demand, and it will be a mis- 

 take on our part not to prepare to meet It. 



Another point where it requires all possible knowledge and sagacity to avoid 

 mistakes is in the selling of fruit, and the only advice we can venture on is to- 

 always pick, grade and carefully handle your fruit, pack it well in new, clean 

 packages of standard siz^, brand your name and place on each package. Don't 

 forget the state you live in and brand thorn California, and don't be afraid to ask 

 and expect a good, fair paying price for all such fruit, and don't imagine that we- 

 have all the fruit in the world and expect fabulous prices. 



. We remember, with a feeling of pity, one good old neighbor who. years ago, 

 had 500 bushels of Janet apples for which he was offered $2 a bushel at picking 

 time. He decided to sell and pay off the mortgage on his farm (a wise conclusion),. 



but Mrs. advised him to put them into the cellar and hold for a higher price. 



The apples were stored ; did not keep well and were peddled out at $1 per bushel. 

 The old man was mi^ch grieved at his misfortune. In a few years both the old 

 folks died ; the mortgage took the farm and left nothing for the family. We note 

 one case showing the other extreme, where the fruit of an orchard was sold last 

 year for less than $400 and 1000 barrels were gathered, worth in the orchard at 

 picking time at least $1800. And we should not wonder if the mortgage is still on 

 the farm . All such mistakes hurt those who make them and work an injury to the 

 cause. How can and shall we ever learn to avoid all mistakes in horticulture? 

 No, we can't and never will. We must not expect perfection in this life. It is 

 human to err, and yet we are a firm believer in the progress of the human race and 

 In our calling. When horticulture is recognized a profession as it should be, and 

 when young men are thoroughly educated and prepared to fill this noble calling 

 and engage in the pursuits of horticulture with a determination to honor their pro- 

 fession ana make the most of it, then will mistakes in horticulture grow less fre- 

 quent and harmful, as surely as darkness recedes before the sunlight of heaven. 



The subject of "fertilization" was discussed for some time, and it 

 was thought best to mix varieties in order to secure better fertiliza- 

 tion. 



