94 Nebraska State Horticultural Society. 



secured a room in case we want it for the office of the secretary. 

 This is a good room, too. 



In changing or amending the constitution it requires a two-thirds 

 vote of all members present, and the amendment must be read at 

 least one session before adopted. That is why we have brought this up 

 now, in order that it might be considered tomorrow morning. 



THE PRESIDENT: The next subject on our program is "The 

 Apple Situation in the United States," by Mr. Van Houten, of Lenox, 

 Iowa. 



THE APPLE SITUATION IN THE UNITED STATES. 

 By Geo. H. Van Houten, Lenox, Iowa. 



This is not a subject of my own choosing, and, as the first copy 

 of program sent me failed to come to hand, did not have time to write 

 and find out the line of thought it was expected for me to follow. As 

 no one is at fault in the matter, it is mentioned merely to explain any 

 fiiilure, if such there should be, to follow plan or line of discussion 

 proposed by those who arranged the program. Neither can I assume 

 to speak with specific knowledge as to the apple situation in all, or any 

 considerable portion of the United States, and yet, as an observer for 

 many years, may be permitted to give views on the matter, and offer 

 some suggestions. 



Those who have been close observers for many years must con- 

 clude that the line of thought and discussion in horticultural meetings, 

 and in the press of the country, have iindergone considerable changes 

 in the years that have passed. Then, it was a matter of hardiness of 

 varieties, quality of fruit, best methods of propagation; with many in- 

 cidental branches connected with the business. Now, the discussions 

 turn more on spraying, markets, keeping of fruit, etc., while the idea 

 of plant breeding by scientific methods, seems to have taken the place 

 of the old notion of chance selection, or results from chance crosses 

 and haphazzard work. It seems that with all our added knowledge 

 of recent years, that we are not succeeding in producing fruit more 

 certainly or more cheaply than in the days of our lack of experience. 

 Of course, we can account for this on the theory that when the coun- 

 try was new, and there were few orchards, that the insect enemies had 

 not accumulated, and that blight, rust, scab and other drawbacks were 



