110 ANNUAL REPORT 



opmeut iu American soil, to meet the demands of local markets: 

 we may ascertain the habit of every fruit not now known, and 

 in divers ways assist an industry whose annual product proba- 

 blj^ represents a value of '$150,000,000 and is an important one 

 to the United States. Our j^eople need to plant intelligently as 

 well as to reap intelligence through public schools, and it is just 

 as much the province of the general government to assist them, 

 in one as in the other. Horticulture is elevating in all its ten- 

 dencies, and, by advancing and protecting and promoting this 

 and other branches of agriculture, our people will advance in 

 those paths which lead to moral, intellectual and prosperous 

 citizensbii)." 



This is encouragement in the right direction, and with our cen- 

 tral experimental station at the State University Agricultural 

 Farm, and j)roi)er lines diverging all over our State, each pursu- 

 ing experiments according to their facilities, we may in the near 

 future expect marked results. Leaving this matter with them, 

 let us devote our time and energies for the present to the im- 

 provement of small fruits, vegetables, shade and ornamental 

 trees and shrubs, such varieties as can be successfully propa- 

 gated and grown in our gardens, lawns and parks. Here is food 

 for thought worthy of our attention; one that, if treated in the 

 proper manner, should interest our sons and daughters to become- 

 useful members in our Society. 



HORTICULTURAL EDUCATION. 



This brings us to a i:)oint of great importance to our organiza- 

 tion. How shall we increase our membership) and create an; 

 interest and desire among our boys and girls for a horticultural 

 education'? The following is an extract from a letter received 

 from Commissioner Colman: 



"Your reference to having our schools teach the primary 

 principles of horticulture is one that has been frequently^ 

 broached and urged with more or less persistency, but this is a 

 mattor for action on the part of the superintendents of public 

 instruction or the school boards of the several states. Text- 

 books might easily be introduced." 



Here is a suggestion regarding a much needed reform in the 

 education of our rural population. A horticultural kindergar- 

 ten may be one of the possibilities of the future in which may be 

 taught the first rudiments of pomology and horticulture, Alt 



