STATE PO.MOLOUrCAL SOCIETY. ^Q 



growing from the root with apparent vigor, were also grafted. All 

 this, and more was done in accordance with the most approved pre- 

 scriptions of the pomological doctors of the time, Avith the expecta- 

 tion of gathering for many years rich harvests of beautiful fruit. 



Almost immediately, results seemed to indicate that the experi- 

 ment had been at last a partial success. The foliage changed its 

 deathly hue for one of living green, and for a few 3'ears the harvests 

 gave encouragement to the hope. But as in human life, the most 

 sanguine hopes and anticipations of declining years often come to 

 an unexpected and abrupt conclusion, so these old trees after having 

 given so good promise of continued usefulness, went rapidlv down. 

 Of that ten acre orchard, once one of the most noted in Cumberland 

 county as then existing, not more than half a dozen trees of any 

 value whatever, still remain. Three only of those grafted in the 

 sprouts ever amounted to anything ; and no scion set in a sprout 

 growing from the root ever came to maturity. The failure in this 

 ease evidently consisted in undertaking (or permanent improvement 

 what resulted onl^' in temporary advantage, for so far as actual 

 profit and loss were concerned, the balance was undoubtedly on the 

 right side of the ledger. 



These illustrations are introduced in this connection as beacon 

 lights of danger, warning against the practices resulting in so much 

 mischief and loss. These are no isolated cases ; similar experiences 

 are constantly occurring wherever decajing orchards are found. 



The unsatisfactory results of former practices have induced fruit 

 growers to resort to new methods and processes of production. 

 Instead of relying wholly on the old trees, new orchards have been 

 extensivel}' started, but with varjing success. Thousands of trees 

 have been planted but failed to grow. Thousands of others have 

 made but a feeble and sickl}' growth, while the flourishing condition 

 of many young orchards demonstrates the feasibility, if not the 

 certainty, of growing as good trees as were ever raised by the 

 fathers. 



It is generally believed that orchards will not grow and flourish 

 now as formerlv. If this belief, so potent in retarding progress in 

 this direction, l)e a falacy, as I believe it to be, it is of the greatest 

 importance that its falacy be made apparent to all. I do not now 

 proi)ose to discuss this question except incidentally. 



We cannot, if we would, ignore the force of such questions as 

 these: Why are there so many failures in this business? Why do 



