436 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



duties, much of this work devolves upon the vice-presidents for the 

 various states. The biennial meetings of the society are not sufficient to 

 accomplish its work. The progress of pomology will largely depend upon 

 the personal efforts of the vice-presidents and members in the several 

 states. By personal intercourse and correspondence, the fruitgrowers of 

 the various counties and localities should be aroused to the importance of 

 organizing and supporting state, county, and local societies. These can 

 hold more frequent meetings, and by discussion and compai'ison the merits 

 and demerits of fruits may be ascertained. Annual reports to the state 

 society, of which these local societies should be auxiliaries, would enable 

 the chairman of the state fruit committees to make more reliable reports 

 than can be obtained where state and local societies do not exist. 



Though the society was founded to advance the interests of the science 

 of pomology and can not recognize individual interests, the wonderful 

 advance in the production of fruits makes it necessary that commercial 

 fruitgrowing shall receive due attention. Commercial fruitgrowing as it 

 now exists is in a measure the result of the scientific work of this society. 



Discussing the causes of recent decline in the prices of fruit, President 

 Berckmans said that in many cases they are local, and therefore general 

 remedial measures can not be suggested. He mentioned the following as 

 among these causes: 



(1) Overproduction in some localities. 



(2) Irregularity in transportation, which prevents daily shipments and causes an 

 accumulation of the ripe fruit for several days. 



(3) The shipment of larger quantities to a market than it can consume. 



(4) Inferior quality or faulty packing, which prevents ready sale and decreases the 

 price of similar fruit of a better grade. 



The remedies suggested were the adoption of rules by local societies 

 concerning the grades of fruit to be shipped ; the appointment of inspec- 

 tors, if necessary, to inspect the fruit before shipment; and the packing 

 and shipment under the official brand of the society, indicating the name 

 and grade of the fruit in each package. 



Fungous diseases and injurious insects are increasing in some sections 

 with alarming rapidity. In combating these the fruitgrower must call in 

 the aid of the scientist. He should, however, acquire all possible knowl- 

 edge of entomology and kindred sciences to enable him to intelligently 

 observe the appearance and effects of these enemies, that he may aid in 

 the work of investigation, the results of which, thanks to the government, 

 are placed within the reach of all. 



Concerning the fruit catalogue and its revision Pres. Berckmans said: 



The aim of the official catalogue of the society is to present a list of fruits that have 

 proved of value in the largest area of the states in which they are now rated. This 

 catalogue was begun twenty years ago and has received much careful revision at each 

 biennial session, but it is to-day not giving as much information as is necessary. This 

 is because of the difficulty of so dividing our immense territory as to show the 

 geographical and climatic regions wherein many of our popular fruits become modified 

 to a greater or lesser extent and their value greatly changed. Several plans were sug- 

 gested when the work was at its inception; and that of dividing into subdistricts such 

 states as included regions of great difference in climate, elevation, etc., was carefully 

 considered. This latter plan would have been adopted but for the voluminous tabula- 

 tion necessary to show the rating of the fruits for the various sections. The present 

 form was considered to be the best one then practicable. While insufficient in some 

 instances, it has been retained until a better plan is suggested. This is a matter which 

 I suggest for your consideration. 



The labors of the committee on synonyms have been made more arduous by the 

 introduction of well known sorts under new names and by the addition of other names 



