242 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc 



full of disease, bearing fruit of inferior quality, because 

 varieties are planted that are not suited to the soil and 

 other conditions where they are grown. Through seedlings 

 and hybridization there are great possibilities of getting 

 new and most valuable varieties that are better suited to 

 different and widely varying sections, where orchards are 

 being planted on a large and commercial scale. 



A word in regard to new varieties. We are continually 

 looking for new varieties of apples. Some of them are 

 good, but my general advice is to hold fast to that which 

 we know is good, — prove all things, hold fast that which 

 is good ; Ave find our present varieties are many of them 

 most excellent and desirable. Yet there is a field of inter- 

 esting work open in this direction, especially for young- 

 men and women. I want to include young women, for I 

 have known a number equally interested in these matters, 

 and who have given as intelligent study to them as men. 

 There is no field to-day that gives such promise of value as 

 the origination of iicav varieties that may bring us some- 

 thing a little better than we have, perhaps a little better 

 adapted to our conditions. Many are making the mistake 

 of introducing new varieties of which they know nothing, 

 originating, perhaps, in the south, which may be good there, 

 but have no value here. There is here an undeveloped field 

 in the production of new varieties that would be adapted to 

 the conditions surrounding each place where it shall be 

 produced. This is a line of the study of horticulture, 

 which I believe has great possibilities in it. 



Passing from that point, let us take up the question of 

 the management of the soil. 'Frees having been selected 

 and grown upon this improved method, the management 

 after planting becomes highly important. In a large ma- 

 jority of instances, clean cultivation of the soil will prove 

 better. To the want of cultivation, more than any other 

 cause, may be traced the great amount of inferior fruit 

 that is found in our markets. In a recent trip across the 

 country I could count the orchards under high cultivation 

 upon the fingers of one hand, from New York to the Mis- 

 sissippi River. The orchards are usually left to take care 



