No. 4.] FRUIT GROWING. 117 



wants of a former generation, is in no sense meeting the re- 

 quirements of the present day. 



Let me not be misunderstood. If satisfied with results 

 obtained under a system in which commercial fruit growing 

 has found no place, continue the work with such intensity of 

 purpose as you possess ; but if, on the other hand, you see 

 tit to add other interests as circumstances may seem to war- 

 rant, it is quite likely that the culture of some kinds of 

 fruits might afford inducements worthy of consideration. 



It has been my purpose to give you a hasty review of iny 

 own experience and observations in the growing of such soil 

 products as are accompanied with more profit on the good 

 farm lands of my own State than are those crops so success- 

 fully grown west of Lake Michigan, with the belief that 

 some or all of them will be found adapted to a large portion 

 of the territory represented by the Board here assembled. 



Features of the work of great importance, such as prun- 

 ing, feeding, spraying, cultivation and commingling of va- 

 rieties to insure fertilization of bloom, have been omitted, as 

 also with some exceptions reference to varieties. These are 

 all topics of interest and are proper subjects for discussion, 

 but too lengthy to be taken in detail in considering the 

 subject upon which I was invited to give you some thoughts 

 from my own experience. 



And now, thanking you for your kind attention, if I can 

 add anything of interest by responding to any questions that 

 may suggest themselves, be assured it will afford me pleasure 

 to do so. 



The Chairman. The speaker has opened a field that will 

 offer you an ample opportunity to ask questions, and he 

 holds himself in readiness to answer as best he may the 

 questions you ask. Owing to his location, many things 

 that might be best for him might not be best for you. In 

 this section the pear interest is not to any great extent 

 carried on as a commercial venture. In the eastern part of 

 the State it is grown for the Boston market. There is a 

 wide difference in different localities. Mr. Willard is ready 

 to answer any questions. 



