MICHIGAN STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 29 



attributed to neglect or bad mauagement, the chief causes are 

 injurious insects and fungus diseases. Both of these have 

 increased greatly in variety and extent within the past ten or 

 fifteen years, and seem likely to increase still more in the 

 future, as our orchards and gardens increase in age, unless 

 measures are taken to prevent such result." 



THE REASON OF THIS DECLINE. 



My own opinion about this decline is that they hare too 

 many kinds and sorts in Ohio. If they would thin out one- 

 half, the deterioration v/ould itself decline. There is nothing 

 like useless varieties to breed poisonous insects, — pestiferous 

 bugs and destructive borers. A tree of but little value 

 attracts but little attention, and it is very likely to draw on 

 these pests and communicate them to more valuable kinds. 

 Thin out your orchards ; revise your catalogues ; reduce the 

 number of your kinds one-half; is our humble advice to the 

 orchardists of Ohio. 



This, it appears to us, is the lesson for "Western Michigan. 

 One-half of the trees in this section should be grafted. A 

 useless tree cumbereth the ground. It costs just as much to 

 feed it ; it exhausts the earth and the air just as much as does 

 a good tree. Time, precious time, — half a lifetime, — is lost. 

 The loss is not only to the soil, but to the pockets of the 

 producer. For what is an apple vrorth that won't sell ? 



THE BEST KINDS. 



Now comes the question, what are the best market varieties 

 for this section, for our soil and climate ? The market gives 

 this answer; the marlcet affords the best test. If a bushel of 

 Northern Spys will bring a dollar, that is a test of value. 

 "Steele's Red" is quoted in the Western ^wm?, April 28, at 

 $3 50fl3 75 per barrel in Detroit. That's a good criterion 

 of its value in that market. The Country Gentleman reports 

 the Rhode Island Greening worth 84 50 per barrel in Albany, 

 and recently barrels of them sold quick at $2 50 in this city. 



