66 The Connecticut Pomological Society 



We used to think that an orchard planted to Northern 

 Spies might be very well as a legacy to our children, but we 

 did not expect to get much value out of it ourselves. Now, 

 through the horticulturist's methods, it is common to bring 

 the Northern Spy as well as the Wagener into bearing in four 

 years' time. 



We used to think that an orchard of standard pears would 

 bring no income for a good many years, but now there is not 

 so very much difference between standards and dwarfs in the 

 matter of early maturity. 



The importance of this question of early fruiting in varieties 

 can scarcely be overestimated from a practical standpoint, and if 

 my neighbor does say that my trees came into bearing the third 

 or fourth year when he thinks they ought to remain eight or 

 ten before they bear their first fruit, and I will find they will 

 give out before their time, I still maintain that I shall not live 

 in my fears, but rather in my hopes. I shall have no anxiety 

 about the continuance of bearing of my early fruiting varieties, 

 if I can only give them the proper care. The recognition of 

 this is growing in inportance with the years, and if I were 

 to make a prediction with regard to the future of horticultural 

 products, I should say that it will be a larger factor as the 

 years go oil. Almost any kind of a horticulturist can grow 

 poor stufif, but it takes brains and pains to grow the higher 

 qualities of products. And brains and pains are at a premium. 

 "That is a beautiful apple; it just suits the palate, but it will 

 not ship," is a staterrient that will show in it an element of 

 weakness one of these days, and the man who uses the "but" 

 in connection with his product to excuse himself for inferiority, 

 will lack standing in his occupation. 



One of the important things, it seems to me, that has been 

 neglected somewhat, is the cultivation of the dealer or the 

 grocer who handles the products of the orchard and garden and 

 greenhouse. He is, in a sense, considered a sort of enemy, to 

 be treated as if he was on the other side of the question from 

 us. Now, it is my opinion we should cultivate a very friendly 

 relationship with the man who sells our products. Would it 

 not be wise to take him somewhat into our confidence and let 

 him understand something of the difficulties in connection with 



