234 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



after; for I »am convinced that the same rule holds s^ood in rohition to fruifc 

 that is applied to the improvement of grain and vegetables. 



Take for instance 50 trees of any given variety of peaches, say Late Craw- 

 fords, and we often find one or more trees in the same row with the others of 

 the same variety much larger than the others and this holds good for a term 

 of years ; now I believe that by propagating from such trees, we can raise the 

 quality of any variety much higher than it is yet. This is that plan which I 

 have adopted, and I am certain of good results. If any fruit grower has any 

 such trees he ought to notify some nurseryman and request him to propagate 

 from it; this would aid much in bringing about the needed improvement. 



The real work before us as nurserymen and fruit growers is to bring our 

 standard to as near perfection as possible. The first point is to know what 

 varieties to plant to produce the best results, both for home use and market. 

 The first step to be taken is, for both the nurseryman and planter to acquaint 

 themselves thoroughly with the character and value of the different varieties 

 of fruit grown in tlie State, and the varieties which have proved most valuable 

 in the part where he is growing them ; we are then prepared to act mutually 

 and understandingly. Having settled this point then, all parties should carry 

 the plan out to tlie best of their ability. 



It seems to me that the nurserymen who attempt to grow stock for the pub- 

 lic ought to come together occasionally and talk over this subject, and unite 

 in their efforts to bring about any good results within their power; discard at 

 once all poor or worthless varieties and propagate nothing but desirable sorts 

 which they know to be valuable. If nurserymen grew no worthless varieties 

 of trees there would be none planted in the orchard. 



Much of the information necessary to govern us in this matter could be 

 obtained from the manv intelli2:ent and observing: fruit o-rowers in our own 

 localities and through the State ; then let no man be pursuaded into planting 

 any other than the varieties which he is satisfied he wants. AVe should sys- 

 tematize our business and regulate our actions as well as our ideas; all this 

 will require time, labor, and care, on the part of the nurserymen, and whether 

 they are rewarded pecuniarily, or not, by public patronage and fair prices, there 

 is one thing certain, they will have the consciousness of having aided in a good 

 work. The vines, plants, ornamental shrubs, and fruit trees grown through- 

 out the countr3% with their berries, their fruit, and beauty, will in years after 

 stand as so many living witnesses to the part which they have taken in adding 

 value, beauty, and comfort to so many homes in our State. 



When we look upon the lawn or yard ornamented by our labor, the vines 

 laden with grapes, and the fruit trees witli their roots permeating the earth, 

 their branches reaching out and growing stronger each year laden with fruit, 

 somehow it seems to connect us with the past and the future to something 

 tangible, something real, something that will remain after we have ceased to 

 be; monuments to remind others that we have lived and labored, and left 

 something here that will silently point to the fact that we have once lived and 

 mingled with others in the business and pleasures of life. 



The views of Mr. Edgar M. Potter, of Kalamazoo, were expressed in an 

 essay as follows : 



I like that word mutual. It expresses in three syllables the true friendly 

 feeling of reciprocity which should exist between all mankind. It should 

 enter largely into the warp and woof of this whole life. It is the silken cord 



