110 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Secretary Goodman, formed quite a galaxy of experienced horticul- 

 turists ; it will be seen that the material for a most profitable meetinjf, 

 interesting addresses and spicy debates was first-class in every respect. 

 Many of the delegates had their wives with them to add zest and pic- 

 turesqueness to the gathering, as Messrs. Goodman, Kelson, Bell, Mur- 

 ray, Patterson, Gilbert and Woods; but to still further add charm to 

 the occasion, the ladies of Trenton attended regularly, especially the 

 evening sessions, and brought their beans with them. 



The show of fruit was most excellent, there being fully 500 plates 

 of the choicest apples on exhibition for competition, and sure are we 

 that but few states in the JJnion could make a more diversified display 

 or of as good specimens this year. The show both of pot and cut 

 flowers was fine if not extensive, and showed to considerable advan- 

 tage on the front of the platform, at the feet of the presiding officer 

 and secretary. 



Prof. J. C. Whitten, of the Department of Horticulture of the State 

 University, was the only representative of that institution present, but 

 he exhibited a rare familiarity with the details of his profession, and 

 added very materially to the character of the debates, particularly in 

 answering knotty points which the scientist only has knowledge of, as 

 a rule. His life history of the codling moth, given offhand in answer 

 to a question, was complete; and his plan of green-houses for experi- 

 mental work with his class merited and received hearty commendation. 



It is not our purpose here to even refer to the numerous addresses 

 and the discussions which followed them, because they will be pub- 

 lished in the proper department of this paper from week to week as 

 we can find room for them, until our readers have been able to read 

 them all. There were two, however, which for their length and 

 exhaustive character merit special mention. That on the history of 

 the apple, by Carpenter, was especially commended as one of the most 

 thorough expositions of the genesis and the life history of that "king- 

 of fruits " ever presented to the public. It gave evidence of great 

 research and a thorough knowleege of the authorities on its history, 

 from the first planting in the Garden of Eden, through the historic 

 ages, as noted and mentioned by ancient writers, down to our own 

 times ; and will go on record as one of the most exhaustive treatises 

 on record. 



That on the chrysanthemum, by A. K. Kirkland, read by S. W. Gil- 

 bert, was another of like character and exhaustiveness ; not only giving a 

 history of this now popular flower, but as well its mode of production 

 and reproduction and the best known methods of cultivation, so as to 

 produce the best effects. 



