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ble that still farther decrease in prices will occur. In the 

 crude muriate, and to some extent in kainite, we have pre- 

 sented potash in available forms for agricultural purposes at 

 comparatively low rates. Twenty-five years ago, this source of 

 the agent was entirely unknown. 



Science has pointed out correct methods of combining these 

 substances to fit them for farm use, and they have been em- 

 ployed in enormous quantities, rendering our lands fertile and 

 increasing our crops. During the past twenty years, I have 

 prepared and used on my farm nearly one hundred tons of 

 artificial fertilizers, and the employment of domestic manures 

 has been to a large extent dispensed with. Not a load of 

 animal manure has been purchased, and the farm, I think, 

 will compare favorably with others in the county in condition 

 and productiveness. The pressure of a strong temptation is 

 felt to extend remarks upon the most important topic of farm 

 fertilization, but time and the scope of this address forbid. 



INFLUENCE OF SCIENCE UPON FRUIT CROPS. 



Prominent among the benefits conferred by science is the 

 improvement of our fruit crops. It does not require a mem- 

 ory extending over many years to recall a period when the 

 apple was confined almost exclusively to varieties suited only 

 to cider making ; and, as regards pears, until within thirty 

 years none of the really good varieties were known upon our 

 farms. Peaches we had to some extent, but the fruit was acid 

 and imperfect. Fifty years ago, not a single horticultural 

 society existed in the United States, and there were but few 

 agricultural societies ; now there are more than fifteen hun- 

 dred state and county organizations. At that period the 

 products of our soil were so insignificant as not to be thought 



