IIEPOKTS OF LOCAL SOCIETIES. 259 



some years. Time, of course, can only decide how well grounded are these 

 hopes, although it is generally conceded tliat their realization will depend 

 much upon our determination and watchfulness. 



But I leave this subject to others, it being more to my purpose to examine 

 some of the items of debt and credit in our past year's doings, and to make 

 comparison of our situation with others. 



Our experience teaches us that wheri we compare our productions or knowl- 

 edge witJi otIic7\s we often have occasion to put a more modest estimate on 

 them ; also, that it is equally true that wo need not go far to find many whose 

 situations are worse than our own. 



The yellow fever at the South the past summer is familiar to all. The 

 grasshopper has devastated many portions of the West. Failure of wheat in 

 those sections where it is the staple and principle crop. Hog cholera has 

 destroyed in a few days the results of a year's labor. The destruction of fire 

 and water have come to many of our neighbors, cutting off in a few hours the 

 main dependance of thousands, and many other calamities and drawbacks, 

 which will occur to you in running over the records of the past year. 



We have been specially favored in escaping these scourges, — good health has 

 been ours; and general prosperity has been the rule, as evidenced by the 

 liquidation of many old debts, the prompter payment of new ones, and the 

 earlier settlement of taxes; also the fewer applicants for charitable aid from 

 the township. 



True, our crop of small fruits was a partial failure, and the apple, peach, 

 pears, plums, etc., lighter than usual, but we were nearly compensated in the 

 better price received. 



I think it generally conceded that the partial failure of our peach crop a 

 few years ago was of advantage in giving the trees a chance to recuperate, and. 

 in stimulating the more rapid clearing of our lands, and the raising of general 

 farm crops which have made us nearly self-sustaining. 



And many regard that the chances are in our favor, that the yellows may 

 prove a blessing in disguise, by narrowing peach raising down to those who are 

 willing to give the time and attention requisite to the production of this fruit; 

 also in the greater variety of fruits which are being raised in our vicinity. 



It seems to me there has never been a time when our prospects were brighter ; 

 we have tested all sorts of fruit and find they will succeed. I do not know of 

 a case where parties have intelligently made a specialty of any kind of fruit 

 which has not proved a success. 



This variety in our fruit culture is of great importance as it insures us 

 against those failures which are apt to come to all kinds of crops or branches 

 of business, or to those localities dependent on our industry. 



Our harbor has been much improved the past year, and our railroad reports 

 increase of business, all of which is gratifying, as a good harbor and plenty 

 of business are the surest means of giving us additional transportation facili- 

 ties. 



It is demonstrated that the most profitable fruits require concert of action 

 iu the community to ward off disease and guard our trees and fruit from the 

 numerous enemies which seem ever ready to destroy the one and get a liberal 

 share of tiie other, — and as often stated, eternal vigilance is the price of fruit- 

 raising. 



No means are so potent in securing this concert of action as our pomologi- 

 cal society. For eight years it has been the rendezvous when any special dan- 

 ger threatened our fruit interest, and I think we can iiardly over-estimate its 



