SECRETAllY'S REI'ORT. 101 



SECllETAKY'S KEPOKT. 



The seasoH of 1909 has beeu one ol' prolit to the horticul- 

 turists in general. The fruit crop was good in the greater 

 part of the state. Late frosts injured the blossoms of apples 

 and other fruits in spots throughout the southeastern part of 

 the state, yet many orchards in this section were but slightly 

 injured and bore large crops of fruit. 



The apple crop in practically all of the territory west of 

 Gage and Lancaster counties, and in all of the territory 

 north of the Platte river was large and of good quality. A 

 number of the larger orchards of the state were thoroughly 

 sprayed the past season and for the fruit from these orchards 

 good prices were received. The fruit from unsprayed 

 orchards, while infested quite badly with worms, was com- 

 paratively free of scab and other fungous diseases and sold 

 quite well, owing to the brisk demand for apples during the 

 greater part of the season. 



Severe weather injured the peach buds, and peaches were 

 grown only in limited quantities in southeastern Nebraska, 

 The yield of strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries was 

 very good and the prices received for same held up well, net- 

 ting those engaged in the growing of these crops snug in- 

 comes. Cherries yielded well in some sections and sold for 

 good prices. Plums and other fruits not mentioned were up 

 to standard both in quantity and quality. The Horists report 

 a thriving business for the year, having had a ready sale for 

 all plants and flowers grown at good prices. 



The showing made at the State Fair by the horticulturists 

 of the state was encouraging. The space usually devoted to 

 fruits was well filled with fruit of good quality. It was re- 

 marked by many who viewed the exhibits that seldom does 

 the fruit showm at the Fair have as clean appearance as that 

 exhibited last season. Worms and fungous diseases were not 

 to be seen except by very close inspection. This w^as un- 

 doubtedly due to the fact that our fruit growers are giving 



