PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL ADDRESS. 13 



In the matter of apple growing to reap the greatest benefit from 

 what we have ah-eady learned, four problems yet await complete 

 solution : 



1. How to avoid root- killing in the most trying winters when 

 there is no snow protection. 



2. What can be done to prevent "killing back" and general in- 

 jury to the tops in the most severe tests? 



3. Vvnat is the best remedy for summer scald? 



4. Hov/ shall we secure a first-class winter apple? 



These are all questions of the highest importance, and time is 

 going to work out the solution. It is our duty, and it is for our 

 interest to hasten that work. There is a glorious future before us. 

 We must see that it is not too far before us. Here permit me to 

 urge again the importance of dividing the work in a measure among 

 our neighboring northwestern states. Wisconsin, Iowa, the two Da- 

 kotas and Minnesota, could by working in harmony but along dif- 

 ferent lines accomplish at least more than twice as much for the com- 

 mon good as if each state were left to its owai devices, investigating 

 the same fields that all are going over and doing it very superficially 

 for want of time, when time would be at their disposal if the other 

 states in doing their allotted work relieved them of the pressure 

 which was pushing them away from the task which they had just got 

 well in hand. I sincerely hope that some arrangement will be made 

 with the adjoining states which have the same obstacles to overcome 

 w^hich confront us, and that something valuable to all may come 

 from the investigations of each. Of course full reports of the work 

 done and the results achieved should be sent to all the states in the 

 association. The fact that these reports would be expected and 

 eagerly desired could not help acting as a powerful stimulus to the 

 highest efl:'orts. 



Our native plums are beginning to attract attention every- 

 where. It behooves us to devote a part of our surplus zeal and 

 energy to their improvement. It is also of importance that we fix 

 upon some way of preparing them for market, as this should be 

 made one of the foremost of the plum-growing states of the Union. 

 This preparation should include the size and kind of baskets, the 

 proper crating, etc. As some kinds which miserably fail in certain 

 localities succeed admirably in others. I would recommend that 

 twenty of the most promising varieties be selected for the benefit 

 of those who want about half that number to plant for a market 

 orchard. Let these twenty be well tested by the plum fancier before 

 any but the old standards are planted in large numbers. Perhaps it 



