136 Mississippi Valley Horticultural Society. 



SYSTEMATIC HORTICULTUKAL PROGRESS. 



BV T. V. MUNSOX, OK TEXAS. 



It may be inappropriate in me, and Eutopian in chara(!ter, to consume 

 time in presenting the following proposition. My excuse is, my great desire 

 to see more rapid and true development, and that I believe that the great 

 majority of horticultural societies cost their members more than they return, 

 and that simply from lack of making them a strictly business concern. From 

 this do not infer that I think primarily of selfish gain, but just the contrary. 

 Nor that I should dare cast a reflection upon the organizers of these useful, 

 fraternizing institutions. Far be it from me, but I wish to help Avith my lit- 

 tle mite to press forward the good work. Believing there is wealth and hap- 

 piness enough in the earth, Avater, air, light and life for us all to make a 

 heaven here, if we but harmoniously and intelligently press nature more 

 closely, more extensively, for her hidden treasures, I beg your indulgence iu 

 a few hasty thoughts. 



The business has been, and yet is almost universal for these societies to- 

 content themselves with the collecting and printing the heterogeneous re- 

 countings of the hap-hazard workings of persons from every section. Their 

 exhibitions have been huge and burdensome displays, chiefly of old or corn- 

 comparatively worthless varieties, as though the mammoth collection and 

 pumpkin-like samples therein make the calling a success. 



Gentlemen, as much as we all love a grand display and forty feet columns- 

 of Ben Davis apples, yet what horticulturist would not rather come here to 

 see and learn of the origination of a single variety of grape, apple, pear, 

 plum or potato, superior in every point to anything yet produced, than to- 

 behold mountains of old and well known kinds? 'Tis well we have planted 

 largely of the standard varieties for market, but must we never try to ele- 

 vate the standard ? This Society can do us no good by piling great tables 

 full of these same old kinds from year to year for us to stare at vacantly, or 

 attend with languid minds the old tale of their growing. We want some- 

 thing new here, yet something better than the old; if possible, something 

 which will profitably produce in soils and localities where others fail. In a 

 word, we want this Society to be one of systematic, profitable progress. How 

 shall we make it so? Others here can far more ably suggest than myself, but 

 I will venture an idea to start the discussion. Let us organize progress itself 

 not merely report chance progress, though that is well in its place. Suppose 

 that each member of this Society to-day, if he or she has not already done so, 

 v-'hoose a field for systematic experimentation most appropriate to his or her 

 peculiar acquirements and circumstances. One may take soils and manures, 

 and find the classes of fruits and vegetables best suited to each; another may 

 take Rupestris or Sugar grape, the Post Oak, Mustang, Scuppernong, Frost 

 grape, and, by selection and hybridization, fill the '' Sunny South," as 



