373 EEPOKT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE 



intercourse, the enterprise of cultivators is kept constantly on 

 the alert ; and instead of useless discussions of other subjects, 

 the pomologist iinds all his time occupied in efforts for 

 improTement. 



How surprising the changes which have taken place during 

 the existence of this Society ! States and sections of the Union 

 which were scarcely known by name, now contribute noble 

 fruits to grace our exhibitions, and noble men to join us in 

 efforts for the promotion of the public good; and by the 

 wonderful achievements of science and the golden chain of 

 commerce, a reciprocal exchange is made of our fruits, dis- 

 tances are almost annihilated, and where fruits were only to 

 be seen in our markets at their peculiar season, they ai*e now 

 found throughout the entire circle of the year. And by the 

 arts of preservation, the seasons of our fruits are further pro- 

 longed, until those of winter even linger in the lap of summer.. 

 Thus our choicest varieties are successively matured; thus 

 distant markets are brought near together, so that the apple, 

 the pear, and the grape, from the South and West, meet in the 

 Northern clime of New England iu midsummer ; and Cali- 

 fornia, Kansas, Nebraska, and Illinois compete at the same 

 time with Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia, in our Northern 

 markets. 



LESSONS OF EXPERIENCE. 

 I. THE INFLUENCE OF WARM, DRY SEASONS. 



Among the lessons which we have learned, we may mentioii 

 as settled and acknowledged principles the following : 



The observations of the last few years, under the influence 

 of warm, dry seasons, would appear to have established the 

 principle that such weather (without excessive drought) 

 especially in the earlier part of the summer, is more favorable 

 to the perfection and ripening of fruits, particularly grapes, 

 than cold, wet seasons. The fact is prominently shown in 

 California, as we have witnessed by personal observation j and 



