SUMMER MEETING AT OREGON. 49 



perhaps in a special way, it does seem probable that they can be used 

 in connection with stable manure, by the horticulturist in the production 

 of certain crops. 



In the raising of early vegetables and in fruit growing, fertilizers 

 can be made of use. For the former, they furnish a ready supply of 

 plant food before the plants can obtain it either from the soil or manure, 

 while mineral manure promotes the strong, firm growth of trees and 

 small fruits, and the development of fruit rather than leaf buds. In ad- 

 dition to this work a new and almost unoccupied field is open, in testing 

 the effect of plant food of various kinds on the quality of fruits and 

 vegetables. 



The subject of forestry should receive considerable attention. 

 Thousands of acres of waste land in the state could be planted in valuable 

 timber trees, and would yield a far larger income than is derived from 

 the average cultivated land of the state, and would do it with a very 

 small outlay. The work of experimenting with timber trees and of ex- 

 citing an interest in forestry from an economic standpoint, could easily 

 occupy the attention of one man. 



THE BOTANIST. 



The botanist can be of service in the a^jricultural as well as in the 

 horticultural work. ' He can test the economic value of various grasses 

 and forage plants, study the weeds and the best methods of eradicating 

 them, as well as the structural and physiological characteristics of 

 plants in general, in order, that knowing these, we may work in harmony 

 with the vital functions of such as are useful to us, and in opposition 

 when the plants are to be treated as weeds. 



The work of studying the various parasitic plants also properl}- be- 

 longs to the botanist. The fungi and algne, although often spoken of as 

 " insects," are really microscopic plants, which feed in, or upon the tissues 

 of other plants and animals. They are commonly known as mildews, 

 rusts, smuts, blights, rot, bacteria, etc. Their effects have long been 

 noticed, and in some years they have caused untold millions''of damage, 

 but until within the last few years, their nature has not been understood. 



H. R. — 4. 



