From the Transactions of Iii'linna Horticulttiral Sovicty lor 1883.] 



REPORT OF THE FOURTH ANNUAL \1]:ETL\G 



OF THE 



MISSISSIPPI VALLEY HORTICLLTLRAL SOCIHTY. 



BY W. H. KAfiAN. 



[The following paper is republished here at the suggestion of members of 

 the Society and because of the absence in Vol. I. of any notice of the exceed- 

 ingly pleasant and interesting " afterpiece " to the fourth annual meeting. 



Secretary.] 



This meeting was held in the city of New Orleans, February 21, 22, 23 and 

 24, 1883. The importance of the meeting, saying nothing of its pleasures, 

 will not be lightly considered, when it is remembered that this was (he lirst 

 assemblage of its kind ever held so far South ; that it embraced leading hor- 

 ticulturists from more than twenty States and the Dominion of Canada; that 

 it not only included horticulturists proper, but dealers in fruits and horticul- 

 tural products in many of the leading cities of our country, together with 

 representatives of transportation companio.';. having the care of our fruits in 

 transit; and that the meeting was held in a region from which wh arc to ex- 

 pect much in the way of future development in the line of horticulture. 



These causes lead me to make the bold assertion, that, in point of import- 

 ance, no similar assemblage on this continent has ever equaled lliat held in 

 New Orleans last Februarv. 



The Society was the guest of " The Gulf States Fruit-CJrowera' Association," 

 an association of some years standing and of much imporUmce to Southern 

 horticulture, the representatives of which had made am[)lo preparation for 



