32 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



your apples under cover, you can pack when it rains, and when 

 the wind blows, and when it is pretty cold outside. This meth- 

 od I believe in most thoroughly. 



This picture shows an orchard in bloom. A more beaudful 

 picture in nature I believe was never looked upon than an apple 

 orchard wh.en in full bloom. It is not only beautiful to the eye, 

 but fills the air with fragrance. As I go into the large cities 

 and see the brick and stone buildings, I am always thankful that 

 I am a farmer. I enjoy the out-of-door life, the blue sky and 

 the work that I am engaged in. I think that we as farmers 

 do not realize the blessings of the agricultural life, and that 

 we do not get the enjoyment out of it that we might. We long 

 for those things which we do not have. We have the choicest 

 and richest blessings which the Creator could bestow upon any 

 of his children, and I would give you this thought of being 

 more contented and satisfied with your own life. And then 

 you will have more confidence in your own efforts and powers 

 to take up the work and continue it and make more of a success 

 of it. 



I want to refer just now to the case of a young man who 

 became interested in orcharding through my efforts, and who 

 has engaged in orchard work. He is about 37 years of age. 

 He had been engaged in commercial pursuits during his entire 

 business life, but he became interested in orcharding, and he 

 has taken up a tract of forest land upon which he is working 

 now. It is in our neighborhood. The point to which I want to 

 call your attention is the amount of enjoyment that young man 

 gets from his work. He says he can hardly wait for morning 

 to come to get to the woods and begin on his work. He looks 

 like a different man from v.hat he was when in the city, men- 

 tally, as well as physically. His work now is being done largely 

 under my direction, but in a few years he will learn the busi- 

 ness, because he has such an intense interest in it and loves to 

 do it. He has all the essentials that make for success, and in a 

 few years he will have a fine orchard. 



This view is a section wdiich is called Apple Valley. It is a 

 hamlet that is known through the state of Massachusetts, and 

 is often referred to when the possibilities of apples are consid- 

 ered. This valley is occupied by four or five farms, upon which 

 for a number of years, the principal crop has been apples. And 

 here in this valley, surrounded by hills, takmg simply the naked 



