1892.] TRANSACTIONS. 9 



satisfactorily for reversion or utter foilure of fruit or tree, that 

 theory will obtrude itself with a persistency that does not admit 

 of summary dismissal. As we trace back the inferiority of our 

 Apple-Pies to the disappearance of the Rhode Island Greening, 

 we are constrained to ask ourselves if there was not a grain of 

 truth whereon to found the firm faith of Andrew Knight ! 

 Who should decide such mooted points if not the Agricultural 

 Colleges and Experiment Stations? They endure; and can 

 follow development from seed-time to fruition. Theirs is the 

 fitting, and should be the grateful, task to test conclusively the 

 evolution of Van Mons ; the survival of Andrew Knight. For 

 no reason can be educed from the analogies of Nature why 

 Pomology should stand still, alone among kindred sciences. 

 And where better than in the ranks of men whose lives are 

 devoted to the acquirement and dissemination of such learning, 

 may we look for that information which shall surely teach us 

 what fruit is of most excellent quality, what tree is of most per- 

 sistent vitality ! 



Wrote our Judge on Vegetables in his instructive Essay, last 

 Spring : 



*' If prices are low at certain times they are high at others ; 

 and until we come a good deal nearer than at present to produc- 

 ing what is used here, we ought not to grumble about the poor 

 market here in Worcester." 



He speaks as a producer ; and though only a consumer as I 

 must regret to acknowledge, I would endorse his every word. 

 One has but to keep his eyes open to observe the immense 

 quantity of vegetable produce yearly brought into this city from 

 remote sections of the Republic. Is it creditable to us that we 

 depend so largely for the supply of our tables upon the industry 

 of men who have no other or higher motive for production than 

 ourselves? There can be no pretence of encouragement to 

 home industry, in this respect, that is not found in the applica- 

 tion of superior skill and tireless energy. After seeing and 

 tasting such Celery as has been shown upon our tables, is it not 

 mortifying to our pride as Horticulturists to note that the 

 growth of Kalamazoo obtains here a profitable market? We 



