278 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



are less than in the past, owing to increased knowledge and better selection of 

 varieties, with better culture. 



" The present season has been disastrous in many sections, both to stone- 

 fruits and grapes, by rot and mildew. I have observed that grapes on high, 

 dry, stony ground have suffered little; while on flat, sandy soils they have suf- 

 fered much — in many instances almost wholly destroying the crop. Peaches 

 rotted badly on old orchards, while on young ones the fruits rotted little. 



" All horticultural societies with which I have been in communication have 

 been ready to aid us in exchanging reports, and in any way they could; many 

 have spoken words of encouragement and praise of our efforts, in every case 

 urging the importance of State aid, if our society take its place alongside of 

 the State societies of the land, receive recognition as a fruit growing State, 

 attract intended settlers to our borders, and develop the hidden resources of 

 our land. 



" The first published report of our society (3,000 copies), has been published 

 and placed in the hands of all members of the society, all State and national 

 societies of a kindred nature, all fruit growers, and to many farmers in every 

 county in the State. What good has been accomplished must be mere con- 

 jecture, as there is no means of ascertaining the results. 



" It is important that we have Legislative aid, and I wish to call your atten- 

 tion to what other States are doing, as published in our last annual report. 

 * * * To you, gentlemen, belongs the right to demand of our 

 Legislature recognition, and if we do not present our claims to them, they are 

 not to blame for any failure to discover the merits and needs of this society; 

 the responsibility is on us, and we must meet it as one man. The Board of 

 Agriculture has wisely consented to give us $500.00 to help pay our premiums. 

 The thing most needed is money to publish our reports, and carry on the gen- 

 eral machinery of the society." 



