PROCEEDINGS 



OP THE 



Eighth Regular Meeting 



OF THE 



AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



(Formerly the Mississippi Valley Horticultural Society.) 



At the seventh meeting of this Society, held in the city of 

 Cleveland, O., September, 1886, it was resolved to hold the next 

 meeting in California, with certain provisos, viz.: That the horti- 

 culturists of California should desire the Society to meet in their 

 state, and that acceptable railroad rates could be secured. To this 

 end, the Secretary immediately entered into correspondence with the 

 transcontinental railway authorities, with the purpose of first secur- 

 ing the important object of an early settlement of the question of 

 rates. Meantime, California horticulturists were not slow to act 

 their part in evincing their great desire to bid us welcome to their 

 homes and to their hospitalities. On March 9, 1887, the Secretary 

 received from Riverside a lengthy telegram, cordially inviting the 

 Society to hold its meeting in that place, and pledging themselves, 

 in the event that the Society met there, to get up " the largest and 

 finest citrus fair in connection therewith ever held on the conti- 

 nent." Almost simultaneously with the receipt of this telegram came 

 a lengthy communication from San Jose, from the mayor of the city 

 and committees representing the Grange, the Viticultural and the 

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