ANNUAL MEETING AT SAGINAW. 507 



The discussion concerning lines of experiment to be undertaken by the 

 stations was devoted chiefly to problems pertaining to agricultural chem- 

 istry and stock feeding and breeding. Evidently the attention of very fevr 

 of those present had been arrested by the need of horticultural experi- 

 ment. This fact illustrates again the newness of horticultural pursuits as 

 compared with those of general agriculture, and should make us all the more 

 zealous that the needs of horticulture shall be fully appreciated. Yet the 

 discussions before the convention recognized fully the fact that each State 

 will have its peculiar problems for solution and that each station must deter- 

 mine for itself the line of experiment wliich it shall undertake. Probably 

 none of the States will endeavor to carry on experiments in all branches of 

 rural industry. It is evident, however, that but few will attempt anything of 

 a comprehensive nature in horticultural experiment. This is reason the more 

 why Michigan, a leading fruit growing State, should demand good work 

 in this line. That the Michigan station may carry on valuable and consecu- 

 tive research in the interest of the horticulturist, the horticulturists them- 

 selves must lend sympathy and encouragement and suggestions. 



This leads me to remark that many horticulturists of experience do not 

 appreciate ihe value or the need of research in horticultural matters. It 

 would be entirely foreign to the purpose of this paper to enter into a detailed 

 catalogue of the demands which the horticulturist needs to make of the care- 

 ful experimenter, yet it will be well to consider, in a general way, the kind 

 of research which the progressive grower should urge. We may roughly 

 classify this research as follows: 



1. Experiments in originating and introducing new varieties. 



2. Experiments in methods of culture, fertilizers, tools, etc. 



3. Investigation concerning diseases of plants. 



Each of these lines of experiment includes many minor, subordinate fea- 

 tures and problems. No one station can expect to investigate them all, nor 

 even one of them to its fullest extent. Experiment in the origination of 

 varieties, for example, includes the whole matter of climate, soil8, and lati- 

 tude, as they affect plants, the whole extensive and intricate subject of cross- 

 fertilization and hybridity, the principles of selection, the influence of cul- 

 ture and treatment upon varieties, an intimate knowledge and measure of 

 existing varieties and the needs of the horticulturists of the State. The 

 whole subject is one in which very little definite, well-directed work has been 

 done. Nearly all our improved varieties of commercial fruits and garden 

 vegetables are the result of chance, so far as the cultivator is concerned. In 

 fluriculture, much definite work has been done, and that work gives great 

 hope for similar work in fruit growing and vegetable gardening. 



The study of plant diseases is no less extensive. It demands a peculiar 

 skill in the use of the microscope and a long technical training. The fungi 

 are almost without number and the investigator must have a general and accu- 

 rate knowledge of them as a whole, before he undertakes specific investiga- 

 tions. 



Taking into consideration our horticultural industries and the equipment 

 of our Agricultural College, it is thought that Michigan will do best to con- 

 fine its attention mostly to experiments in the origination of new varieties, 

 especially by emp oying the known laws of crossing and hybridizing and the 

 principles of selection. It should also give prominent attention to the im- 

 provement of native wild fruits and ornamental plants. 



By the provisions of the Hatch bill, the experiments of all kinds are to be 



