58 ANNUAL REPORT 



of the fruit, but enough to effect the shape of the apple. In condi- 

 tions where the trees are very much confined for want of circulation 

 of the air there is more of the disease mauifest. 



Mr. Brand. I would like to add a word to this talk in regard to 

 experimental stations, and I would like to say now that it is the duty 

 of this Society to instruct Commissioner Colman (if he does not know 

 his duty,) that is just what he is there for, to try and explain different 

 things thi»t prove destructive to various crops and to find out remedies 

 for the same. 



Mr. Pearce. That is just what he is doing. 



Mr. Brand. The benefit is for the whole people and the govern- 

 ment should pay the expense of ascertaining these facts. 



Mr. Dartt. Mr. President, I would say that I received a circular 

 from Mr. Colman asking the number of fruit trees and the number of 

 acres I had in cultivation, stating that the information was wanted 

 with a view of putting himself in communication with the fruit grow- 

 ers of the country, for the purpose of getting information from them. 



President Elliot here introduced Mr. J S. B. Thompson, of Grundy 

 Center, Iowa, as a delegate from the Iowa Horticultural Society. 



On motion of Mr. Stevens Mr. Thompson was made an honorary 

 member of the Society. 



REMARKS OF MR. THOMPSON. 



Mr. Thompson. Mr. President, and fellow horticulturists : I re- 

 turn to you my sincere thanks for the honor you have conferred upon 

 me, in permitting me, as a representative of the State of Iowa, to 

 mingle with you in your discussions at this meeting. I hope and 

 trust that the knowledge we gain in this manner may be of mutual 

 benefit. 



There seems to be a little question in dispute here in regard to the 



blight of the apple. In Missouri it has effected the fruit very much; 

 it is caused by the buffalo midge stinging the fruit. In this State and 

 in Iowa, it is injured by the stinging ant; perhaps some of you have 

 run into a covey of them; I don't know whether they bite or sting, but 

 they hurt most awfully when they get after a person. I noticed a 

 swarm of these ants in a young orchard and they almost ruined one- 

 third of the fruit on one tree. I was working around there and 

 made up my mind to have a row with them. I went to the house and 

 got some torches and soon drove them out. I noticed that the fruit 

 they stung would wither and the apple would grow out of shape. 

 When first stung it expands in growth and afterwards there is a dark^ 



