260 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



A system for the collection of statistics should be inaugurated by 

 which might be learned the real facts as to the magnitude of our pomo- 

 logical industry — its progress and its possibilities. The production 

 and consumption by our people of fruits, both fresh and preserved, 

 is in value and extent scarcely less than that of the cereals; and it 

 seems proper that similar attention be given to the collection and 

 dissemination of information concerning fruits. 



EXPORTS VERSUS IMPORTS. 



The United States contains some of the largest and best-adapted 

 f ruit-j^roducing regions of the world, and foreign markets should be 

 investigated, with a view to the benefit of the home producer. This 

 is especially applicable to that best of all fruits, the apple. And now 

 that the evaporation of fruit has become so successful, it is highly 

 important that we avail ourselves of every means to increase our 

 exports of fruit products. Already a considerable advance has 

 been made in the production of citrus fruits, and as this branch of our 

 pomological industry is only in its infancy, it is hoped that we may 

 m time be able in a great measure to avoid the necessity of import- 

 ing these fruits. There are also many other fruits, such as the 

 guava, olive, pineapple, and cocoa-nut, which need the special atten- 

 tion of our Government to encourage and advance their culture. 



COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF VARIETIES. 



Many of our choicest fruits have been found in obscure parts of 

 this country and some in foreign countries, and no doubt there are 

 others of equal or better qualities that remain unknown to our people 

 because of the lack of proper investigations. All such fruits should 

 be sought out and at once placed in the hands of the people for trial, 

 and this work can be successfully done by this division, provided 

 means are allowed. This would add considerably to work of this 

 kind now being performed in a limited way by the Department and 

 add greatly to its usefulness. 



SUMMARY OF INVESTIGATIONS. 



In accordance with your orders, on the 6th day of August, 1886, I 

 proceeded from my home at Geneva, Kans. , to attend the meeting 

 of the Central Texas Horticultural Society at Fort Worth, and to 

 visit such other places as I thought best in that State in making 

 pomological investigations. I there found assembled a goodly num- 

 ber of the workers and thinkers who are interested chiefly in 

 pomology. Although this was just at the close of a drought of 

 exceptional severity in that State, there Avere shown upon the ex- 

 hibition tables many fine specimens of luscious peaches, pears, 

 plums, grapes, and berries. From the statements made by those 

 present I learned that in Texas peaches can be eaten fresh from the 

 tree from May to December if care is given in the selection of varie- 

 ties. Indeed, the peach is one of the most popular fruits grown in 

 that State, as it nearly always bears a good crop, and the fruit is of the 

 very highest quality. The choicest variety grown, and the one that 

 brings the highest price in market, is the Chinese Cling. It is very 



