Heading of Letters. 101 



from Mi\ P. T. (^ulnn, saying why he could not come. As you 

 know, no name stands higher than Mr. Quinn's, in all matters hor- 

 ticultural, all along the entire Atlantic coast: 



Newark, N. J., November 20, 1882. 

 My Dear Mr. Earle : 



I am glad to hear by your letter of the 17th inst. of your prospects for a first- 

 class meeting of fruit men at New Orleans in Februar}-. I don't know of a better 

 place to hold a winter meeting ; and nothing would afford me more pleasure than 

 to join you at Chicago, on the 19th of February, and take an active part in the 

 proceedings. But I am afraid I can not spare the time. My duties as Secretary 

 of the State Agricultural Society, and of the State Board, and as Controller of 

 Newark, together with my farm business, leave me little spare time at present. I 

 can not now promise to write you the paper on the " Growth and Importance of 

 Small Fruit Culture," but should I find time between now and then will do so with 

 pleasure. 



The last two years have been bad ones for small fruits with us in New Jersey. 

 We were almost burned to a crisp in 1881; and for six weeks last summer not a 

 drop of rain fell on my farms, with a scorching sun the whole time. I had belief 

 that lightning would not strike in the same spot twice, but alas I it did ; and you 

 know what that means in receipts. 



With very kind regards, I am cordially yours, P. T. QuiNN. 



All Western men will recognize in the name of Geo. W. Minier, 



of Illinois, a venerable horticulturist who has had no superior for 



zeal and ability in promoting all good works for the benefit of 



mankind. Until within a few days he expected to be with us here, 



and it is a matter of regret to all of us that he at the last could not 



come. 



Minier, Illinois, February 14, 1883. 

 My Dear Sir : 



Your circular and Lrenerous invitation is duly received. I have been from home 



this entire montb, and have been constantly promising myself the great pleasure 



of meeting that host of good men, and thinking men, which will assemble at New 



Orleans on the 21st instant. But it is possible I may not meet with you. A man 



of my age — my next birthday will be my seventieth — must not promise too firmly. 



Should any contingency debar me, you will have my most cordial good wishes. 



Most respectfully yours, 



Geo. W. Minier. 



Our venerable friend and fellow member, Mr. Isador Bush, of 

 Missouri, the enthusiastic advocate of all that relates to the inter- 

 ests of American grape culture, writes me as follows: 



