Evening Session. 223 



Prof. Van Deman, U. S. Poraologist, Washington — I wish to 

 raake a few remarks about sports spoken of in Mr. Rudisill's paper. 

 Frequently such eccentricities and freaks are discovered in the 

 blossoms of plant life. It would be interesting, and of subsequent 

 value, to watch these «sports clobcly, as by so doing choice varieties 

 of new citrus fruits might be developed. 



3Ir. Bradbury, of California — I am sorry Mr. Rudisill has not 

 had more to say of the importance of irrigation. In California, and 

 especially Southern California, irrigation is absolutely essential to 

 success in connection with crop productions. It is a subject of such 

 paramount importance that it demands the attention of practical as 

 well as scientific men. 



On motion, the Society adjourned to meet at 7:30 p. m. 



Sixtli Day— Thursday. 



Evening Session. 

 The last session of the American Horticultural Society convened 

 in the assembly room of the Congregational Church, in the city of 

 Riverside, Cal., at 7 : 30 p. m., February 9, 1888, President Earle 

 in the chair. 



President Earle, of Illinois — I desire once more to allude to the 

 important work this Society is doing. It is eight years since its 

 organization as the Mississippi Valley Horticultural Society. The 

 object of its organization was the promotion of all branches of 

 American horticulture. It soon became evident that it had out- 

 grown the limits of the great central valley of this continent, and 

 its name was changed to enable it to reach out and take in adjoin- 

 ing territory. Four valuable volumes of transactions have been 

 published, and each has met with a most cordial welcome from the 

 horticultural world. Volume V will be the proceedings of these 

 meetings here in California. A complete set of these reports will 

 be of great value, and worthy to adorn any library in the land. A 

 very few complete sets can yet be supplied by our Secretaiy, who 

 will mail them to any address on receipt of $1 per copy. Our pro- 

 gramme for this evening is short, and will mainly. consist in listen- 

 ing to the lecture of Dr. J. C. Ridpath, whom I now have great 

 pleasure in presenting to you. 



