Societies and Organization. 213- 



C. M. Hobbs, Secretary of the Indiana Horticultural Society, wrote me, No- 

 vember 26, 1887 : 



" Dear Sir : I believe we should have one American Horticultural Society, 

 covering the entire subject of horticulture in the United States, and, probably, 

 including Canada. With our county, state and national horticultural societies, we 

 have quite a heavy tax upon our purses and time. There should be an understand- 

 ing between neighboring states in regard to time of holding state meetings, that they 

 might not conflict, as is so often the case now. I trust you will put on foot at the 

 next meeting of the American Horticultural Society means that will result in the 

 union of the pomological and horticultural societies. Truly, 



"CM. Hobbs." 



" Westport, Mo., December 15, 1887. 

 "Friekd Munson: I objected to the renaming of our Mississippi Valley 

 Society, and always believed we could do more and better work by leaving the 

 American Pomological Society in the lead, and believe so yet. I think, if we 

 could all report to that society, aud make it more prominent than it is, giving it 

 greater influence and power, getting every state society to be a part of one great 

 central society, I am sure, almost, that such a society could have enough influence 

 with the Commissioner of Agriculture to induce him to adopt the central society 

 as the mouthpiece of the department in horticultural matters and publish its 

 reports, connecting the work of the United States Pomologist with it. I should 

 not like to see the officers and all controlled by the political parties, but leave the 

 society free to select its own officers and plans. Such a society would be an honor 

 to our government, our states, and our horticulturists. L. A. Goodman." 



" Waban, Newton Highlands, Mass., December 14, 1887. 



" Dear Sir : I have delayed answering yours of November 19 in hopes that 

 I might have clearer views upon the subject of ' the unification of our national 

 horticultural societies.' 



"It is well known that the late Mr. Wilder was very jealous of the American 

 Horticultural Society, feeling that it encroached upon the ground of the Pomo- 

 logical Society. The characteristic enterprise of the Mississippi Valley Society 

 very naturally developed into national proportions, aud it has honestly attained 

 this jjosition. Our country is so vast, and the interest in horticulture so beyond 

 estimate, that it would seem as though the elder would hail the advent of the 

 younger to assist in cultivating so wide a field. * * * * 



" The workings of the two societies, while separate, must be very similar, to 

 satisfy the members, and hence it hardly seems possible to keep up a proper 

 enthusiasm in both without rivalry and conflict of interests. 



" On the other hand, it does appear that a union of the two would not only com- 

 bine strength, but would also awaken a new interest, which would place one organi- 

 zation on a more prominent and firmer foundation than either can occupy by itself. 

 I trust that it may so appear when you meet in California, and that a committee 

 will be chosen by the horticultural society to consider the subject, and, if deemed 

 expedient, to confer with the pomological society with reference to a union of the 

 two societies. Very sincerely yours, Wm. C. Strong." 



