30 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1870. 



which, ill its eagerness to anticipate State assignment, ignores centuries of 

 precedent and almost encroaches upon the summer. 



There is one subject involved in the proper consideration of the future suc- 

 cessful culture of the apple, in regard to which your Secretary would esteem 

 himself false to duty did he not invite your most earnest attention. The 

 Canker Worm, whose permanent departure had been fondly anticipated, has 

 signalized his reappearance upon '' pastures new " by unwonted ravages. 

 The defoliation of orchards upon our hill-sides impressed upon the eye of 

 the beholder a scene of desolation that could not have been aggravated by the 

 passage of a devouring flame. Under any circumstances this would be bad 

 enough ; but when we reflect that these evil consequences are aggravated by 

 human carelessness, what adequate expression shall be found for our indigna- 

 tion ? When a malignant disease breaks out in a private residence, the public 

 claim and exercise authority to prevent the spread 6f infection. Should not 

 the strong arm of power be as well interposed, where individual selfishness or 

 indolence endanger the vitality of our orchards ? The sharp-nosed blood- 

 hounds of the law will scent out and pursue a pint of whiskey throughout the 

 entire length of the Commonwealth. May it not be well to hamper the surplus 

 energies of a superviceable constabulary by requiring of them the summary 

 destruction of all trees which are reserved solely for the nourishment of the 

 canker-worm and tent-caterpillar ? The occupation might not be as lucrative to 

 the force, but it would be of undeniable benefit to ihe community. It is re- 

 spectfully suggested, whether you should not address a memorial to the Great 

 and General Court, soliciting the encouragement of some other agency than 

 wings and beaks for the destruction of insects injurious to foliage and fruit. It 

 is disgraceful to the scientific acquirements and practical experience of the 

 State that the canker-worm should thus be suffered to pursue its career of 

 devastation, without check or hindrance. Should the St ite Constabulary be 

 unable to cope with the foe, for want of adequate inducements, the energies of 

 that lobby which besieged the State House so assiduously, in the interest of 

 the Hartford and Erie, would doubtless prove equal to the emergency. It 

 would be decidedly refreshing to behold either of those corrupt bodies illustrate 

 the doctrine of salvation by works. 



Every member of the Society, conjointly with other visitors, must have 

 observed the extreme degree in which we are indebted, for much of the interest 

 which attaches to our Annual Autumual Exhibitions, to the unremitting 

 industry and thorough skill of professional gardeners. It may be well for us to 

 consider whether it does not lie within our especial province to make timely and 

 apt recognition of such superior evidences of horticultural attainment. The 

 objection may be urged, it is true, that the gardener by profession is already 

 remunerated for his labor and time by his employer; and that, without the 

 consent of the employer, he could exhibit none of the fruits of his toil. But 

 it would seem that this Society might well and profitably look beyond the dull 



