STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 109 



this branch of horticulture, and even if the great secret of suc- 

 cess is not solved by this generation, we can but think the 

 thoughtful research and experiments of some of the most intel- 

 ligent pomologists of this and the old world may result in pro- 

 ducing fruit hardy enough for every locality. 



EXPERIMENTAL STATIONS 



are just at this time receiving attention in both the National and 

 State legislatures, and we most heartily sanction the well-di- 

 rected efforts that are being put forth to pass the Hatch bill, so- 

 called, wlien we may look for results that will be of great benefit 

 to the northern portion of the United States ; and every friend 

 of horticulture needs to help carry forward this movement so 

 ably begun and zealously worked for. 



Xorman J. Colman, United States Commissioner of Agricul- 

 ture, in his last annual report, page 32, says: 



"I have been able to establish during the year a pomological 

 division in this department. The satisfaction of many leading- 

 thinkers with this departure has been generously expressed, 

 not only through correspondence, but thi'ough offers of hearty 

 co-operation in the methods employed to establish tlie division 

 in a proper way. It is too early in the history of the division to 

 enumerate definite results, but there is every prospect tliat, if 

 proi^erly encouraged, we shall be able to turnish the country, 

 and especially its pomological and horticultural industrie ;, with 

 information of value. The United States contains some of the 

 largest and best adapted fruit-producing regions in the world. 

 Farmers everywhere are beginning to give thought to the neces- 

 sity of diversification, and, naturally, a fruit orchard suggests 

 itself as the fit successor of those croj)S which year after year 

 have been exhausting his soil and lessening his annual profits 

 more and more. The all-important step to the farmer then i>^ 

 necessarily the first one. What can science and the latest results 

 of experience and information teach him in the matter of adapta- 

 tion of fruit trees to particular soils and climate ? This is what 

 the division will endeavor to undertake to set forth. Different 

 Xiomological experimenters, as well as agricultaral colleges, have 

 generously offered their grounds and personal labors to assist in 

 any experiments that may be instituted, 



"We may also make inv^estigation relative to foreign fruits 

 and the probability of their successful importation and devel- 



