TRANSACTIONS OF ALTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIKTV. 253 



ALTON IIORTKT'I.'ITRAI. SOCII'.TV. 



At the annual meeting of this Society, held January, 1874, the fol- 

 lowing officers and standing committees were chosen : 



Officers — President — H. G. McPike, Alton ; Vice-Presidents — D. 

 Williams, E. A. Riehl, Alton ; Secretary — O. L. Barler, Upper Alton ; 

 Treasurer — D. Williams, Alton. 



Standing Committees — On Orchards, Jona. Huggins, Ornamental 

 Planting, H. J- Hyde, on Vegetables, E. HoUister, on Vineyards, E. A. 

 Riehl, on Small Fruits, Captain Stewart, on Flowers, Mrs. K. S. Hull, on 

 Entomology, Maj. J. R. Muhlemann, on Wines, Dr. E. S. Hull, on Orni- 

 thology, Dr. B. F. Long, on Orchard Fruits, F. Starr. 



Committee OK Places OF Meeting. — Mrs. E. S. Hull, Mrs. j. M. 

 Pearson, Mrs. E. Hollister, Mrs. H. J- Hyde, Mrs. Capt. Stewart. 



At this meeting, the work of the year was vigorously entered upon, 

 and while recounting the disasters of the past, all seemed determined and 

 hopeful for the future. 



The report of Standing Committees being called for, Jonathan Hug- 

 gins read a report upon Orchards, which he forgot to leave beliind him. 

 The essayist predicted "a good time coming" for the careful and indus- 

 trious fruit grower, which remark awakened a lively discussion. 



DISCUSSION ON rHK REPORT. 



Dr. Long — Mr. P?esident: I think there are, in this report, .some 

 statements that will bear questioning. Certainly there are two sides to 

 this question. Sirs, I would like to know what there is in the earth or air, 

 or atmosphere of the times to encourage the fruit-grower to extend his 

 operations? Where is the profit in an api)le orchard, when you cannot 

 sell your apples for the cost of production ? 1 think a wise policy in tliis 

 matter would dictate curtailment and not extension. To be sure, every 

 farm should have its orchard, to supply at least the home demand. But 

 at this time, and with all the facts before us, to encourage extensive 

 planting of orchard fruits is not good, in my opinion. Better grow wheat 

 and corn and other grains, which are the great staple products of the 

 countrv. 



We are told that there has been a great destruction of fruit trees 

 throughout the country, and hence we may expect better prices. But 

 there are multitudes of young orchards that arc just coming into bearing 

 so that there will be no lack of fruit in the market, and, in my oijinion, 

 we cannot hope for any material change for the better. I think we have 

 unintentionally done harm to the country by exaggerating the profits of 

 fruit culture. 



