No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 361 



gentlemen with whom I made the arrangement stated that such a 

 thing as that had never occurred, and would not be likely to occur 

 once in twenty years. That would have been a very convenient and 

 pleasant room indeed, and perhaps the most so of any room in this 

 city. 



Just about ten days before the date set for our meeting, I learned 

 that the United States Court was going to be in session on the twen- 

 ty-fourth and twenty-fifth. Then I found that I was up against a 

 proposition that was entirely unexpected, and I at once saw the Su- 

 perintendent of Public Grounds and Buildings, and he said that he 

 could give us this room and have it put in order so that everything 

 would be as comfortable as would be required. I had no thought 

 of any such noise going on here as we are now having, and I simply 

 make these remarks so that you can understand the facts. 



Mr. Boyer then read his report, which is as follows: 



REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FRUIT AND FRUIT CULTURE. 



By J. F. Boier, Chairman. 



Mr. Chairman and Members of the State Board of Agriculture: 



The following is a brief report of the conditions of the fruit crop 

 of the year 1905 in Pennsylvania. 



First, as to the apple crop. Of all fruits the apple is the most 

 important, as it can be held in its natural form the year round. This, 

 however, does not apply to orchards planted by our forefathers. 

 Those orchards are principally summer and fall varieties and cer- 

 tainly must take a back-seat, as new and improved varieties are 

 taking the lead and common varieties will not, in ordinary crop sea- 

 son, bring enough money to pay cost of marketing. 



Pennsylvania ranks fairly well with the apple-producing states 

 of the Union, and by studying the improved varieties and selecting 

 those best adapted for various soils found in Pennsylvania, the State 

 will soon become one of the leading apple-producing states in the 

 country. This fact is evidenced by the season just closed. The year 

 1905 goes on record as an off-year. Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and the 

 New England states claim only a partial crop, even New York, 

 which is known as a leading apple-producing state, reports a par- 

 tial crop; while improved varieties brought forth a full crop in Penn- 

 sylvania. This of course applies only to sections where apple cul- 

 ture is made a business, as for instance Adams county, the home of 

 the York Imperial, where this variety grows to perfection. Take 

 the State as a whole, the apple crop was only a partial one; but it 

 can be said that Pennsylvania ranks well with the leading apple- 

 producing states of the Union. The quality also ranks well with 

 those produced anywhere else. 



Pears. — The pear generally is not grown, commercially, in Penn- 

 sylvania, excepting the Kieffer. A few orchards have been planted, 

 commercially, and according to reports, do not produce as well as 

 where fewer trees are planted with other varieties. By this we learn 

 that cross-fertilization must be practiced- While blight seems to be 

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