254 State Horticultural Society. 



Pears, very light croi?, principally Keiffer; grapes, full crop but 

 badly damaged by black rot. 



Strawberries, one-half crop; sold from $1.20 to $2.00 per crat«. 

 Kaspberries, light crop; sold from $2.25 to $2.75 per crate. Blackber- 

 ries, light crop. Many vines killed past winter. 



Eleven peck barrels were mentioned in this report, but the dis- 

 cussion showed that the barrels in use in the state are three bushel 

 barrels, and that the Randolph county was probably in error in stating 

 that the smaller barrel was used in his county. 



Prof. H. C. Irish reported for the St. Louis county society. They 

 have recently organized with fourteen charter members and a good 

 outlook for increasing membership. 



J. J. Kiser said he believed that Gentry county kept up its society, 

 but as he lived in the extreme edge of the county he did not attend its 

 meetings. 



T. B. Chandler said that St. Francois county had a new society of 

 forty-four members. Great interest is sho^vn, though they have as yet 

 no large commercial orchards. 



G. T. Tippin gave a favorable report from the Greene county so- 

 ciety. They have fifty members, with as much interest as at any time in 

 the past. 



Mr. G. W. Hopkins, so long secretary, has retired for a season's 

 rest and Miss Emma Park holds that office. 



Buchanan county was reported by Mr. Irvine of the ''Western 

 Fruit Grower" to be in a thriving condition. They tried to hold their 

 monthly meetings the past summer. The first time it rained and they 

 had no meeting. The next time it rained and the next, and the next. 

 So the summer was past and no meeting held, but later they had a good 

 meeting. 



Mercer county was organized by President Murray two years ago, 

 and continues to prosper and do good work. The society made ar- 

 rangements with the county fair association to let the horticultural 

 society have full charge of the fruit and vegetable exhibits. The 

 families of members of the society having season tickets to the fair. The 

 exhibits were good and the arrangement was so satisfactory that they will 

 begin earlier next year. It was suggested that other societies might try 



