STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 59 



brown speck, forming into a knot, as the fruit grows; when you 

 come to remove it by peeling the apple you will have to cut a quarter' 

 of an inch deep in taking it out. 



In Missouri they have the midge and the scale louse; the same 

 thing is noticed in California. The disease is described at length in 

 a work which I have here. I hold in my hand a report from the De- 

 partment of Agriculture, by Mr. Colman and also by Mr. VanDeman. 

 It contains the report of the agricultural department, that of the 

 chemist, the statician, entomologist, etc. It appears from the report 

 there have been at least one hundred and fifty different experiments 

 made on the California fruits, and some are recorded here as tu fruit 

 in Missouri. They have tried experiments with soap and kerosene, 

 soap and whale oil, etc. 



Mr. Harris. Carbolic acid is also used. 



Mr. Thompson. I think it is, but there are more than one hundred 

 and fifty experiments mentioned. I received this book about three 

 weeks ago, and it is worth a twenty-dollar gold piece to any man who 

 is growing fruit, I don't care who he is, if he will read it and practice 

 by it. This information is gathered up from different localities and is 

 printed here. 



In regard to these experimental stations I think that every man 

 ought to make himself an independent experimenter. What will grow 

 on that brother's farm there might not grow on mine, or on this other 

 brother's. The soil has a great deal to do with the growth of trees as 

 well as climate, but both have their effect. I presume there is not a 

 gentleman in the room that would read the chemist's report in this 

 book that would believe that the life propensities or the sources of 

 life of the different trees, deriv« their sustenance and nourishment 

 for the growth and life of the tree, from chemical action. If you 

 were to see the chemical analyzation of even the Ben Davis apple you 

 would hardly believe it; I didn't believe it myself. I read it over 

 twice and finally made up my mind that it was like the Bible, meant 

 to be believed and I would believe it. 



I am trying experiments all the while. I find it helps me, and these 

 experiments have proved a benefit to several of my neighbors, also. 

 The experiments I have made in a seedling orchard have been worth 

 hundreds of dollars in our State The experiments you have been 

 making in this St'ate have also been of great value. 



This report here states that already the Wealthy apple, which was 

 originated by Mr. Gideon, of this county, is becoming a leading apple 

 for export, from Canada and Vermont; and this is a credit to your 



