INDIANA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 309 



These local societies do much to promote horticultural interests in 

 their respective localities, and it should be the constant aim of the State 

 Society to extend this work. The good that might be accomplished in 

 this direction is inestimable. 



The industry needs encouragement in every way possible, if we are 

 to keep abreast with the times. The possibilities of horticulture in this 

 great State are limitless. 



The fruit industry of the country never held out a more inviting 

 prospect to the up-to-date horticulturist than at the present time. The 

 people not only need an abundance of good fruit, but are clamoring for 

 it. And they are going to have it— more and more, and better and better, 

 as the years go by and wealth increases. 



Tlie farmer and average fruit gi-ower is not going to contribute much 

 toward supplying the demand. In fact, they are not producing enough 

 for home consumption. They can not resist the temptation to plant out or- 

 chards agi-eeable to old customs, but this is usually as far as the enter- 

 prise is carried on successfully. They will not supply themselves with 

 necessary outtits to fight insect pests or ward off disease. 



On the great majority of farms, where the fruit ci-op is of secondary 

 importance, there is no time to look after the orchard when the busy sea- 

 son comes on. Unless fruit is one of the money crops on the farm, it is 

 sure to be neglected, and any sort of neglect means failure. 



People are also finding out that fruit can not be gi-own successfully 

 or profitably in all localities or upon all kinds of soil— that in some parts 

 of the country the industry may be carried on profitably, while in others 

 it won't pay to plant out even a family orchard. 



So, in view of all these facts, there is much to encourage the scientific 

 horticulturist who is properly located and intends to conduct his business 

 according to the most approved methods. 



In a number of instances we have seen the fact demonstrated the 

 past season that it pays to give the orchard proper care and attention. 

 This includes, in every instance, scientific sprayings. We must have a 

 healthy, vigorous foliage of tree and shrub to secure a sure and satisfac- 

 tory crop of fruit the following season, and then there must follow an 

 energetic war against insect pests that would dwarf, injure or destroy 

 the fruit. 



At this forty-seventh milestone of our organized effort along horti- 

 cultiu'al lines, a new leaf should be turned and more attention given to 

 the market end of the business. There is no doubt but that this is half 

 the problem of success in fruit growing. This being the case, the apple 

 growers of our State, and this Society more particularly, may well direct 

 some of their efforts to the market side of our fruit industi-y. 



To make it desirable for any one to embark in the business of fruit 

 gi'owing, a profitable disposition of the crop must be in sight. This we 

 have not had, and will not have until there is some sort of organized ef- 

 fort on the part of all who are engaged in the fruit industry. 



