160 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



to know whether a Northern Spy or a Hubbardston has had fair 

 honest orchard culture or has had the contents of a privy or a pig- 

 pen or a hen-yard to feed upon. When specimens grown under these 

 or any other extraordinary conditions are awarded first premium as 

 I have known them to be, the useful lessons which the Society would 

 teach by its annual exhibitions are of doubtful utility to say the least. 



Third, varieties of fruits, which are really excellent but which 

 unfortunately have but a local reputation, should in some way receive 

 greater recognition. Allow me to suggest that possibly this might 

 be brought about by setting apart one table for purely local varieties 

 and offering a small premium or medal for the best individual dis- 

 play. Again, I am not sure but that the interests of our Society 

 would be best subserved by doing awa}' with all cash premiums and 

 adopting instead a reward in diplomas or medals. 



Lastly, our Society would do a good work hy offering some encour- 

 agement to the originators of new fruits. Let the Society offer a gold 

 medal to the one who shall originate and exhibit for five or ten years,^ 

 the best summer, autumn and winter apple or pear, and a greater 

 interest in our annual exhibitions will at once arise and a better 

 knowledge of fruits be disseminated. 



THE SCHOOL GARDEN. 



The school garden should be a place for observation and experi- 

 ment. Budding, grafting, various ways of propagating, cross-fer- 

 tilization, and conditions favorable to plant growth could be taught 

 by seeing and doing. Much of this kind of work is alread3^ done by 

 the pupils of the George Putnam school in Boston, which includes 

 the work of drawing from natural specimens and making original 

 designs. These pupils are learning to see as never before, and are 

 acquiring facility and power in representing objects that will add 

 much to their usefulness and happiness and are working toward 

 horticulture. Their written descriptions and drawings of wild flowers 

 serve the legitimate purpose of the school work and continually sug- 

 gest nature. 



What an influence for horticulture might be felt if the common 

 schools throughout the country should make good use of school 

 gardens. The ordinary Sahara-like school yard could be made to 

 look like a paradise. Representatives of the various classes of vege- 

 tation could be grown, the flora of the vicinity could be obtained and 



