130 • State Hortictiltiiral Society, 



The cut flowers were handled under roof, but the plant market was 

 a cauAas covered square away from the big market, only the square was 

 not large enough so the rows of green and flowering plants reached 

 over to the bank of the River Seine, extended both sides of the bridge 

 and a block or two in each direction from the end of the bridge on the 

 other bank. A flower show for four or five blocks. 



The fruit business of France is divided into 17 parts. Each division 

 has a superintendent whO' oversees the inspection of all the fruit of his de- 

 partment that comes into Paris. He also is auctioneer at the wholesale 

 market for his section. The office is a government appointment, but 

 also the man has to pay his predecessor from two to five thousand dol- 

 lars for the position, according to the value of the business. 



In the London market this year most of the fruit, including plums 

 peaches and pears came from California. The small proportion of Eng- 

 lish product had been grown in hot houses, all outside having been de- 

 stroyed by frosts. 



The fruits used in Germany this year came from the south, from the 

 Tyrol, a mountainous western corner of Austria. 



Many things merit adoption, and one is a custom, another a fruit. 

 In spite of the scarcity of fruits a custom prevailed which horticul- 

 turists doctors should rapidly introduce among our people. 'Tis that of 

 having fruit served after the dessert of every dinner, as fresh currants on 

 the stem, cherries, peaches, grapes, apples, pears, oranges, apricots and 

 nespoli, called by the English medlars. This delicious fruit is worthy the 

 attention of the United States Department of Pomology, and the further- 

 ance of the attempts of some of our scientific men to introduce it for the 

 purpose of producing it for us all. Perhaps it may be grown in some of 

 our new and warmer possessions. 



SHALL WE CULTIVATE OUR ORCHARDS? 



(By N. F. Murray, Oregon, Mo.) 



In presenting my views upon this important question, I shall start 

 out by answering in the affirmative, and say, yes by all means we should 

 cultivate our orchards. Before proceeding further upon a discussion of 

 the question, pemiit me to give a brief definition of the word cultivate. 

 First we find it to mean, to till, to fertilize ; second, to foster, to cherish ; 

 third, to improve by care or study, and fourth, to produce by tillage. 

 Now I hardly think it possible to find a fruit grower of average intelli- 

 gence who would expect or hope to grow first-class fruit and secure satis- 



