96 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



8. Experiments in improving old orchards. Some remarkable results 

 have been achieved abroad in this direction, though in some cases it would 

 be wisest to remove the old trees. 



9. Little or nothing is known in England (or at all events scientific 

 men have not told us) as to which varieties of apples have blossoms 

 which are self-fertile. Ignorance on this point undoubtedly affects the 

 crops. 



I might continue these suggestions and put forward what America has 

 done, but I think I have said enough. Before concluding, however, 

 I should like to allude to one more important point. 



The question is sure to arise : If the Government is advised to do all 

 this for fruit culture, why should it not do the same for agriculture ? I take 

 it this question could only arise as regards the Central Experimental 

 Staiion. I will give a few reasons, to which many others could no 

 doubt be added. 



Systematic agricultural experiments and trials have been carried on 

 for a great number of years, notably at the Lawes and Gilbert Farm, and 

 there is a large amount of accumulated knowledge. British farmers can, 

 I believe, grow as large crops of cereals to the acre as in any part of the 

 world. Fruit-growing trials and experiments have only been tested on 

 an extremely limited scale, and for a very short period, and almost 

 entirely by unaided private enterprise. 



The area under corn crops has enormously decreased — from 1888 to 

 1904 by about 1,200,000 acres, and under present fiscal conditions is likely 

 to continue decreasing. Fruit growing, notwithstanding the lack of 

 knowledge, has up to the present, for the last thirty years, . largely in- 

 creased — over 60 per cent, in that period is no mean increase— but if the 

 increase is to continue with advantage to the growers and to the nation, 

 the quality, size, and condition of fruit placed on the markets must be 

 improved. 



The capital and labour employed on a given area are immensely greater 

 in fruit culture than : in agriculture. The difficulties and risks of fruit 

 culture are greater than those of agriculture. Look what a single night's 

 frost may do, and: there is no planting a fresh crop. 



From a health point of view, a good supply of sound wholesome fruit 

 is of the greatest importance, particularly as increasing numbers of- our 

 population are employed at sedentary occupations. No country can supply 

 us with equally fresh, wholesome, juicy fruit, of the hardy varieties, as can 

 be grown in our own country. 



The young Britisher who intends to follow agriculture is constrained in 

 the majority of cases to turn his attention to the Colonies or abroad, and then 

 most of his knowledge must be acquired in the land he migrates to. In 

 fruit culture, if the right kind of fruit is well grown and well marketed, 

 I firmly believe there is room for many young Britishers at home. 



These are some of the reasons why the fruit grower should be shown 

 special consideration by the Government, and I trust before many months 

 are over that the British Government will have favourably considered the 

 question and decided to assist fruit growers in their exceedingly difficult 

 task. 



Mr. George Bunyard : We have listened to some most interesting 



