132 GENERAL HISTORY. 



Society. The latter had, during the excursion, collected a variety of semi- 

 tropical fruits, leaves, branches and other specimens, -which had been exhib- 

 ited during the meeting. 



This session of the Mississippi Valley Society, held at New Orleans just as 

 vegetation "was awaking from its short winter rest, and while the North was 

 yet locked up in ice and snow, had been arranged upon the excursion plan. 

 A special train had been provided at Chicago for those going over the Illinois 

 Central Railroad, and was joined at Cairo by a party from Missouri and other 

 western States. The excursion occurred just when the calamitous flood of 

 the Ohio river was at its height at Cairo, and fear of danger in ck ssing there 

 is saitl to have deterred many who had intended to go. 



The change from northern zero temperature within a couple of days to that 

 of 90° at New Orleans, with roses in bloom and a general starting of vegeta- 

 tion, was, to northerners, a peculiar and pleasing experience. 



The three days' session of the society was largely attended, both locally and 

 frt m abroad, and the papers and discussions were listened to with much appar- 

 ent interest. The exhibition of fruits and numerous other articles also was 

 highly interesting, including many things rarely, if ever, seen at northern 

 exhibitions. %^ 



The Mobile and Ohio Railroad extended an invitation to visit Mobile free, 

 with the privilege of being returned to New Orleans, or of going thence to 

 Cairo direct, an alternative which was accepted by a large number of excur- 

 sionists. 



An extensive business had recently grown up in ''truck farming" for north- 

 ern markets. Large fields cf cabbages and other vegetables were being grown 

 at both New Orleans and Mobile, and shipments northward were already 

 extensive. The light, warm soils about Mobile seemed especially adapted to 

 this purpose, and crops could be matured and disposed of before the time to 

 prepare for the usual summer crops. At Mobile, especially, this had already 

 come to be very extensive and profitable. 



Hon. W. K. Gibson, of Jackson, then addressed the audience on the topic, 

 ''The Home Flower Garden and its Influence." 



Besides suggestions as to what and how to plant, the influence for good, 

 and for refinement, upon the occupants of the home were dwelt upon, as 

 well as their consequent tendency toward the restraint and diminution of 

 crime and pauperism. 



The reports of committees were next received, after which the society ad- 

 journed. 



On June 13th the executive board met at the State Agricultural College, 

 upon the invitation of the State Board of Agriculture, for its annual visi l 

 the institution. 



A. D. Healy, of South Haven, at this meeting tendered his resignation as 

 member of the board, which was laid on the table for subsequent considera- 

 tion. 



The summer meeting of the State Horticultural Society was lield at Ionia-, 

 in acceptance of an invitation of the Ionia County Horticultural Society. 



The very wet weather of the spring and early summer still continued, inso- 

 much that there were but three hours of intermission during the days appointed 

 for the meeting. This seriously interfered with the local attendance, while 

 the visiting attendance was as large as usual. 



The society was called to order by the president on the afternoon of Juno 



