310 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



5tli. Experiments slioukl be performed Avitli liberality. I refer now more 

 particularly to horticultural experiments. They should be the property of all 

 •vvho will be benefited by them. The time, money, and thought put into them 

 should be donated freely for the good of the world. 



And now, if you will bear with me a moment, I will state what appears to me 

 as the results of this kind of work, and then close. 



The acquirement of the very best kind of knowledge I will name as a first 

 result. Knowledge that can be employed in practical occupations, as well as iu 

 gaining further desirable information. 



Tiic work of experimenting in itself is the best kind of a school for the 

 development of the keenest powers of observation, and good observers are more 

 needed to-day than any other class of pco))lc to forward scientific and practical 

 research. And again, when we have performed a successful experiment and 

 established a fact, we have added just so much to the world's stock of knowl- 

 edge, and thus we have been a benefit to all generations, and have not lived 

 ill vain. 



Lastly, there is a great satisfaction that comes with the establishment of 

 truth, the unearthing of facts, and the building of foundations for principles. 

 It is a wholesome satisfaction, and as long as one uses the knowledge thus 

 obtained for the benelit of all whom he can help, he is justified in feeling good 

 over what he has done. 



There is no field of experiment in which there are more affecting circum- 

 stances beyond the control of the manipulator than in agriculture and 

 horticulture, but because so little has been accomplished and so little progress 

 been made need not deter us from working away, perfecting our n)ethods, and 

 making the best possible use of -what is already known in the acquirement of a 

 knowledge of new facts and new principles. 



James Satterlee, of Greenville, was called upon to continue the discussion 

 of the Secretary's paper and made the following remarks: 



Experiments in general, it seems to me, belong to tliat class of work that 

 doesn't pay, — in dollars and cents, I mean. And yet, should any one ask mo 

 what has led to the many discoveries made and improvements brought about iu 

 iigriculture and horticulture, I should be oblige to answer, experiments. AVe 

 frequently see the statement that farmers are too conservative; too willing to 

 follow the ruts made by their fathers as regards methods of culture, etc. ; too 

 timid to venture upon new fields of enterprise. This may be true to a certain 

 extent, but from the nature of our occupation it is necessary that we should 

 ■count the cost before making any very wide departure from established usages. 

 .Certain general principles have become so well established that the average ag- 

 riculturist is satisfied to adhere to these principles and abide by the result. A 

 large majority of us are not seeking after new trutlis but are doing our best to 

 provide the necessary dollars and cents to keep our machinery in running order. 

 Indeed tiiis question of dollars and cents is getting down so fine that whether 

 we are willing or not it forces itself upon us at the end of the year, and should 

 we be so fortunate as to have a few cents left, it shows that we have put in our 

 time to good advantage. Our profits depend largely on the use we make of our 

 time, in the amount of paying work we have done. As the little items in our 

 •cash account foot up an unexpectedly large amount at the end of the year, so 

 we would be surprised at the number of days and half-days sj)ent in work that 

 has not paid. Our success or failure depends largely on this point. 



Kow the question comes up, can we find anything for experiments? If this 



