230 ANNUAL REPORT 



the conditions necessary to success are now brought into requi- 

 sition and utilized. It would appear to us more real progress is 

 being made now in a single decade than formerly was to be noticed 

 in a hundred years. 



The principles pertaining to this industry are taught more 

 thoroughly than heretofore. Our agricultural and horticultural 

 press is taking higher rank, and seems to occupy a broader field 

 for usefulness than formerly. Our editors now-a-days, we must 

 admit, are as a rule intelligent, discriminating and wide-awake 

 — alive to everything which augurs for the public good. When- 

 ever any new device, or better process is discovered, they gladly 

 spread the facts before the public and favor the selection of the 

 best. 



If you will pardon the suggestion, Mr. President, without in- 

 tention at flattery, or overstatement, we venture the assertion 

 that horticulturists as a class are public benefactors. We find 

 them always laboring unselfishly for others' good; their plans 

 and methods are an "open book." They patiently investigate 

 for years and carefully experiment, in order to discover methods 

 sure to meet the highest measure of success, and after toilsomely 

 attaining useful knowledge of the art, they quietly proceed forth- 

 with " to give it all away!" Where else do we meet such gener- 

 ous magnanimity? 



HORTICULTURAL EDUCATION. 



Among the many indications of progress being made along 

 these lines, it is most gratifying indeed to note the fact that edu- 

 cation and scientific methods are being brought in requisition; 

 the chemist's laboratory is opening up an interesting field for 

 study and discovery. New facts are daily brought to light, elicit- 

 ing information which perhaps our fathers never even dreamed 

 about. As evidence of this we see in vegetable pathology inves- 

 tigations being made to learn the cause of plant disease, of fun- 

 gus growths, and the like, the various remedial agents being tried 

 to ascertain what are the most effective remedies; the laws of plant 

 development and growth are being thoughtfully and patiently 

 considered; attention is being given to principles pertaining to 

 the germination of seeds and bulbs; the laws of reproduction, 

 cross-fertilization and hybridization; methods of destroying nox- 

 ious insects, or how to check their ravages by the use of poison- 

 ous substances or insecticides; and last, perhaps, but not the 



