52 ■ Notes and Gleanings. 



presented by T. T. Lyon of Michigan, who moved to refer them to the Business 

 Committee, to be brought up at such time as the committee deemed best : — 



The subject of shelter to gardens, orchards, and farms, is believed to be one 

 of the most important that presents itself to the consideration of those interested 

 either in horticulture or agriculture ; and, while it is one in which efficient re- 

 sults can only be reached through concerted action by whole communities and 

 even entire States, on few subjects of such moment are we believed to have so 

 little general information. 



As a consequence, entire regions of country of large extent are being reck- 

 lessly denuded of forests ; while, with the least possible regard for this subject, 

 the timber preserves being retained in such form and position as to offer, in 

 most cases, the least possible resistance to prevailing winds. 



This is done in ignorance of the fact, that to thus open up a country is at 

 the same time to diminish the amount of its rain-fall, and to hasten the dissipa- 

 tion of heat and moisture by evaporation, thus increasing its liability to both 

 frost and drought ; as a necessary result of which, certain sections of the coun- 

 try, among which may be reckoned that in which I reside, can no longer grow 

 the peach with certainty, while even the apple is becoming less hardy than 

 formerly. 



In consideration of the nature of this subject, and of the importance of con- 

 certed action, I propose for consideration the following : — 



Resolved., That we recommend a general movement by kindred associations, 

 whether horticultural or agricultural, for the dissemination of information on 

 this subject. 



Resolved, That, inasmuch as many men receive knowledge more readily when 

 communicated through the pocket, we invoke the aid of legislation in the enact- 

 ment of such highway-laws as shall encourage the planting of roadside-trees, 

 and secure their preservation when planted ; and also in the exemption from 

 taxation of belts of timber, whether natural or artificial, when grown along 

 the west or north sides of buildings, gardens, orchards, or farms, of sufficient 

 breadth and length to suffice as wind-breaks. 



Resolved, That a committee of this body be appointed to prepare an address 

 upon this subject, for general circulation ; and also to secure, as far as possible, 

 concerted action on the part of kindred associations. 



Assorting Fruit. — Dr. Claggett of St. Louis said, " I wish I could impress 

 upon fruit-growers the importance and profit of assorting fruit. Fruit will not only 

 bring better prices if assorted, but depreciation of prices will be prevented. Too 

 few shippers assort their fruit : such as do, get from one-third to one-half more 

 for it than those who do not do so. Full one-third of the fruit found in 

 packages had better have been given to the pigs. The market is overrun with 

 packages of inferior fruit. We who are dealers have to assort it. If one-third 

 of the fruit sent to this market were left at home, the other two-thirds would 

 bring more money than the whole does now. It is every man's interest to leave 

 imperfect fruit at home : if he does not, the buyer has to throw fully one-third 

 of it away. If a dealer knows a shipper has a reputation for assorting his fruit, 



