206 Appendix. 



hundred, assembled at the Shell Beach Railroad Depot in the city of New 

 Orleans earlj'^ in the forenoon of January 19, 1885, where a special train 

 officered by John E. Elder, President; M. R. Spelman, General Sujierinten- 

 dent; and John T. Hardie and others. Directors, awaited our arrival. At the 

 Battle-field the train halted, and without debarking, we were hastily informed 

 by Superintendent Spelman as to the principal points of interest. One 

 mile further on a second halt was made, which atTorded an opportunity to 

 all who wished, to visit the house which was Gen. Packinharn's headquarters 

 the night before the engagement, and in which he is said to have died after 

 his wounds on the battle-field. The next stop was made at a sugar planta- 

 tion, where the buildings and machinery so recently in active operation were 

 examined. Nearer the Beach the birthplace and early home of Gen. Beaure- 

 gard, of Confederate fame, was pointed out. 



The season of the sugar harvest was closed at the time of our visit, and 

 occasionally the early spring work was beginning. The seed cane, which 

 is planted once in three years, and consists in the planting of the stalks 

 themselves in a furrow, from which the young plant springs at the joints, 

 was cut and covered lightly with earth in large beds, somewhat after the 

 style of heeling in trees in the North. The cane remains in this condition 

 until March and April when it is planted. 



The train arrived at Shell Beach about noon, where the excursionists 

 spent an hour or more in gathering specimens and enjoying the pleasant 

 and refreshing Gulf breeze, after which they were called together at the Club 

 House, where a bountiful lunch was served, followed by toasts and speeches 

 by President Elder, of the railroad company, and President Earle of the 

 Society, and others, after which the following resolutions were passed and 

 the part}' were returned to the city : 



Whereas, President Elder and Superintendent Spelman, of the Shell Beach 

 Ftailroad Company, have so generously entertained the members of the American 

 Horticultural Society, in bringing us by special train through the rich garden and 

 sugar lands adjacent to the Crescent City, and amid scenes of some of the most 

 stirring events in American history ; and, 



Whereas, They have further graced the company with their presence and have 

 personally attended upon our refreshment with the excellent collation so abund- 

 antly provided for us, their guests ; therefore be it 



Resolved, That the hearty and unanimous thanks of this Society are hereby ex- 

 tended to these gentlemen and the corporation they represent for the courtesies 

 thus shown us, with the assurance tliat we shall keep green in our minds the re- 

 membrance of this happy occasion. 



Resolved, That we confidently commend these fertile land.s through which we 

 have passed, so rich in elements essential to the culture of garden products, with a 

 climate so hospitable, and in near proximity to a great city, to the great army of 

 market gardeners who are seeking new fields of conquest. 



