1884.] TRANSAeXIONS. 7 



tions of the good that it has done; and with the hope that, laid 

 in the grave beside tlie Wilson strawberry, they may maintain a 

 seemly peace after " life's fitful fever." 



Sad to relate, — the same writer confesses that " an industry 

 which has steadily gained ground for some years is that of 

 making unfermented wine." The}'^ don't allow it to " ferment " — 

 oh no ! but — " various processes are used for clarifying it." Do 

 you not all perceive numerous channels in which such sanctified 

 tipple may be useful ? What viticulturist in this audience, 

 lacking a market for his fruit in the skin, will prove a deadhead 

 in this virtuous enterprise ? The average " hoss-trot," on that 

 day of Agricultural Fairs, which illustrates and, vitalizes the 

 contribution-box of Exempt Worship, could not more vividly 

 typify the " wicked partner " of modern business. 



In our own vicinage — who shall tell why the Rose-beetle, — that 

 pest of the choicer flowers and fruits, — was comparatively innocu- 

 ous, or wholly failed to put in an appearance, throughout the 

 season just past ? What became of the Cock-chafer (May- 

 Beetle, if you prefer ?) with whose larvae the writer has seen the 

 soil of Elm Park, in this City, literally crawling ? Was it that 

 extreme cold of the latest Spring month, just as they would 

 naturally be ascending to the surface of the ground ? Is man 

 utterly helpless in the presence of Nature ? Must he sit idle, — 

 dependent upon her resistless forces, — without other resource 

 when they fail to respond to his prayer ? Such are among the 

 problems that must be solved, if we would be sure of success. 



In England, they want to know wliy is there so slight fruition 

 for such abundant bud and blossom ! One accounts for a sparse 

 yield of Apples and Pears because, in his vicinity, the wood of 

 the previous season was immature. Another complains of rain 

 washing out the pollen ; yet another of the drought that shriveled 

 the buds or dwarfed the growing fruit ; — while a third thought 

 it was just his luck, opining that the laws of Nature had been 

 suspended to plague a single individual ! himself. 



Here, — in this great Pomological County of Worcester, we 

 have in May a fall in temperature to 28° Fahrenheit, and yet 

 our absolute loss is less than was expected. Strawberry plants, 

 in too rapid development, got a decided check. Others, — whose 



