SUMMER MEETING. 147 



Oar local societies have standing committees in the different de- 

 partments of work, and these should be able to furnish all local infor- 

 mation in their vicinity regarding condition of fruits, ravages of insect 

 enemies and other items of importance. 



In no one way can we gain as valaible information as that fur- 

 nished in the State reports. Our local reports would be just as relia- 

 ble, and both State and local will become of yet more value as experi- 

 ence is added to experience. 



We hope the horticulturist of the future will have opportunity 

 for instruction in the public schools, but the horticulturist of today 

 must gain his knowledge elsewhere, and perhaps in no one place can 

 he obtain more than in the local meetings listening to the experience 

 of his neighbor and fellow-worker. 



He who attempts to study alone and hopes to gain all by individ- 

 nal effort, must of necessity lose years of valuable time. He will make 

 the same mistakes made before him, and when he finally awakes to the 

 fact that the progressive man is getting ahead, he finds he is too far 

 behind to ever hope to catch up. 



In all lines of action in this great world, progression is made only 

 by taking advantage of knowledge already gained and working ahead 

 from there. 



One of our great needs is to get the people to attend these local 

 meetings in larger numbers. 



Our home Society is not yet two years old and has a membership 

 of 94. 



Our summer meetings are held at the residence of some member, 

 and call out a large attendance, and many are interested in this way. 



Many condemn experimental work for the average fruit-grower. 



For the beginner, we can all see the benefit of growing only well 

 known and standard varieties. He has enough to do to become ac- 

 quainted with those sorts most certain of success ; but having passed 

 this stage, and with the progressive spirit strong within us, we long to 

 try something outside the usual line, and I contend that this is as it 

 should be. Our experimental stations and nursery-growers' work on 

 this lineis the best of its kind, but if the individual desires to go out- 

 side of ordinary work, and do a little experimenting for himself, I 

 do not think it would prove a detriment to more solid work. An 

 enthusiastic amateur may become an important factor.for the advance- 

 ment of horticulture. 



Zeal is the key-note *to all success, and perhaps in no calling is 

 enthusiasm more necessary than in this one. The many discourage- 

 ments, linked to our ever-present ignorance of the best ways and 



