488 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



After the usual preliminary work of calling to order, reading and 

 approval of minutes, and a short recess for payment of dues, Presi- 

 dent Hiester stated that the election of a committee to nominate 

 candidates for the several offices for 11)07, was in order, and the fol- 

 lowing were elected members of said committee: — Dr. J. H. Funk, 

 A. I. Weidner, D, L. Hartman, D. M. Wertz and F. H. Fassett. 



The committee was instructed to nominate candidates, and report 

 at the morning session. 



In the absence of Chairman R. L. Watts, Mr. D. K, McMillan, read 

 the following: 



REPORT OF THE GENERAL FRUIT COMMITTEE. 



In presenting a report of the General Fruit Committee, the 

 Chairman wishes to thank the correspondents throughout the State 

 for their prompt and very necessary assistance. It is hoped that 

 the report will not only relate to the results and progress of the past 

 year but will also be an index, to some extent at least as to the 

 general trend of fruit culture and gardening in Pennsylvania, and 

 the possibilities for extended operations in over}^ county. There may 

 be over-production some years in a few sections but the possibilities 

 of the State as a whole are almost unlimited for the production and 

 profitable disposition of first class fruits and vegetables. 



APPLES. 



The apple is without doubt the most important fruit crop in Penn- 

 sylvania. It is grown in every county for home consumption and 

 grown in every county to a greater or less extent for commercial pur- 

 poses. It well deserves the study and attention (if practically all our 

 land owners and it is destined to occupy a much more important 

 place in the horticulture of our State. Some sections are much 

 better adapted to this fruit than others and the industry is develop- 

 ing rapidly in some of these favored locations. There are hundreds 

 and hundreds of acres, however, where soil aud climatic conditions 

 are well adapted to the apple and where no special attention is given 

 this fruit. The apple industry should be developed in these sections. 



The 1906 crop was above the average in yield. Quite a number of 

 counties report very large or full crops. A good crop is reported 

 from many counties and correspondents in very few counties report 

 less than an average crop. The yields in the greatest apple produc- 

 ing counties as Adams, Franklin and York was not above the average 

 and a number of growers report very light crops. The quality of the 

 crop in most sections was above the average being very good in 

 many counties. Only six correspondents report a crop of poor 

 quality. 



In reply to the question, ''Is the crop profitable in your county?" 

 only two correspondents give negative answers. This almost unani- 

 mous affirmative answer indicates in a very positive way the great 

 possibilities for apple culture in Pennsylvania. Unfavorable weather 

 conditions, particularly late spring frosts, were the direct causes of 

 failure in some orchards the past v'nr, but the trouble on too many 



