the important and valuable part of the work. It does not require herculean 
labor to study every part of his theory and practice ; nor are his words mui- 
tiplied by technicalities ; neither are you asked to follow ior yourself the 
long turnings and windings of experience. At a glance, in a moment, you 
see his path. Plain, easy, graceful, you see the results of his labor, the 
rewards of his dilligence,—and he ‘‘that runneth may read.” 
It is gratifying to record that fruit in Iowa has, notwithstanding the se- 
rious drawbacks which have hitherto attended the introduction and cultiva- 
tion of improved varieties, kept pace with the development of our State in 
other respects. I transfer some figures from late official sources, that may 
not have attracted general attention. In 1850, the total value of the or- 
chard products of the State was but $8,434. This was increased in 1860 
to $131,234, and it is safe to say that last year the value was double that 
sum. In 1868, there were fruit trees in orchard bearing 503,043, and 
trees in orchard not bearing, 1,833,651, or in all 2,837,594 trees in orchards 
—or about three fruit trees to each inhabitant. Yetthere is room for more 
orchards ; there are mouths for more fruit. 
The cultivation of fruit has received additional attention of late years, 
from the introduction of economical and certain measures for its preserva- 
tion. Canned fruit is no longer a luxury of the rich, no longer a choice and 
costly confection to be indulged in by the sick and feeble, but a necessity— ~ 
a habit, if you choose, of all classes of people. A vast amount of capital is 
invested in the manufacture of cans, jars, etc., for the artificial preservation 
of fruit ; and the glass blower, the potter, the tinner have received an im- 
pulse to their trade from the enormous demand thereby created for their 
wares. 
But there are higher motives to prompt men to plant an orchard, with 
intelligence, than the paltry enjoyment of dollars and cents. With intelli- 
gence? Yes; because planted ignorantly, it is time and labor worse than 
lost. Fruit is generally conducive to health, easily digested, and an impor- 
tant adjurant in the process of assimilation. Health is the greatest blessing 
of life. ‘Wealth without health is splendid poverty.” 
Fruit is beautiful to look upon. ‘‘A thing of beauty is ajoy forever.”’— 
The charming divinity of colors, of shape—the grateful odor—the pleasant 
flavor of the fruit—the majesty of the tree—the greeness of the leaf—the 
aroma and delicate tints of the blossom,—all these are added as the free gift 
of a beneficent God. All these might have been repellant to our senses ; the 
fruit distorted by unseemly growths; the tree dwarfed and scraggy ; the 
flowers emitting disgusting odors ; the greenness of the leaves turned to 
