ANNUAL MEETING—1868. 
643 
Here, Mr. President, digressing for a few moments from the train of 
thought thus far, I desire to draw your attention to the work and object of 
this Society, and the obstacles to its success. 
The greatest obstacle to our progress is the busimss itself^ viz : the tree trade an d 
how it is done. It is time that every Horticultural body in the State raised a 
war-cry of extermination upon the reckless manner in which horticultural 
products are disseminated through the land. Nurserymen and tree peddlers 
alike are subjects of criticisms. The first are necessary evils, the last 
immensehur-ibugs. The first cover up their sins by preying upon the short¬ 
comings and sins of the latter. Fruit trees^ true to name should be the ruUy and 
the motto hoisted over the entrance of every garden Too much care cannot 
be used in properly packing and labeling their trees in the nursery; for, 
first, it looks well; second, it gives confidence, and, third, it avoids mistakes^ 
if done correctly. It is the first thing the writer looks for, and in the absence 
of these we say to ourselves, and would now say to your customers. Beware! 
But what of the peddlers ; who are they and from where ? So numerous 
that “legion” hardly tells the tale. Once there might have been an excuse for 
thus tampering with men’s patience, but with fruit-growing so well estab¬ 
lished and railroads at our doors, we have no farther use of these “ guer- 
rilas,” veritable vegetable ones at that—often not half-grown, or, perchance, 
over-grown, but not half-ripe. Nursery men will tell you their valuable sorts 
are all engaged, and if a peddler calls on you, beware! it is the nurseryman’s 
trash he is offering you, and if, perchance, you live to ever learn your mis¬ 
take, he has a cloak, yea, this very vegetable shields him from harm. We 
are glad to know that in many places this mammoth swindle is being frowned 
down, and is meeting only with that measure of success to which it is en¬ 
titled. We would not accuse all of the trade as swindlers; far from it; but 
there is not sufficient care used by them and their assistants. Of the ped¬ 
dlers, is there one righteous found among them ? Then repeat to him the 
story of poor Tray. 
Our objects and labors are not alone to plant, though this should be done 
till our entire state does bud and blossom as the rose and the nurserymen’s 
labors not prove in vain ; but we are all scholars, as yet in the infant class, 
climbing the ladder, from which many rounds have been broken by frost and 
bad management. To find with what these rounds may be replaced, is a field 
for labor and experiment which will yield to the experimenter a vast 
amount of pleasure and satisfaction. The College Farm now offers us an op¬ 
portunity for thus starting an experimental garden ; to plant, care for and in 
everyway possible encourage the growth of our horticultural products, under 
varied circumstances and make known the result to the State. We trust 
that some means may be devised for receiving the five acres tendered for your 
use, to cultivate and improve, and the time be not far distant when the mem¬ 
bers of this society may eat of their own fruit, resting from their labors 
under the vines their hands have planted. 
For this and other purposes we need money. It will be a rallying point around 
