Annual Meeting at St. Joseph. 241 



Who that attended those interesting meetings would fail to bu 

 impressed with the fact that close observation and profound study 

 of the phenomena of nature, were the mainsprings of the mental 

 powers therein so conspicuously displayed. And how well was it 

 therein demonstrated that in the united labors of the practical 

 horticulturalists on the one hand, and the scientists on the other 

 hand, we are ultimately to bring to practical solutions all the 

 troublesome problems of horticultural pursuits. 



In conclusion I must briefly advert to the fact that, notwith- 

 standing the vast advances in horticultural knowledge made within 

 the present century, we are as yet but barely entering upon the 

 pathways that lead toward the highest attainable success ; and how 

 rapid our further progress may be must depend upon continuing 

 perseverance in critical observation, and the wisdom shown in mak- 

 ing the best use of the results. Then let me here suggest — and 

 especially to tlie younger horticultural workers of this society — the 

 importance of regularly journalizing all the daily observations and 

 .interesting incidents of your work. Note when and how you have 

 attended to the planting and after cultivation of each species and 

 variety of the fruits under your care ; note the after stages of growth 

 and development of each ; note particularly the staminate plants 

 with which you fertilize your pistilates, and closely scrutinize the 

 varying results, if any, as affecting quantity and quality of the fruit 

 produced. In short, every item of work necessary to be done should 

 be considered worthy of a special note, and all the more interesting 

 items should be carefully underscored. Then, at the close of eacli 

 season's work, the entire journal should be thoroughly reviewed, 

 and its lessons formulated, as systematically as your accounts of 

 profit and loss. No better course of self-education can you possibly 

 adopt ; and no other course can make you so useful as members of 

 your society, or so ready to speak creditably on the questions arising 

 for discussion in your meetings. In a word, emulate the admirable 

 examples of the distinguished leaders in pomology, the benefits of 

 whose arduous labors we are now so richly enjoying, and honor tlie 

 memories of Downing and Warder by the continuance of their suc- 

 cessful methods of work and study. And to do this with the best 

 practical effect, each should constantly bear in mind the subject of 

 this day's discussion : " Observation, the Ke}^ to Horticultural 

 Success." 



