128 Missouri iSfate Horticiclfural Society. 



Office of American Pomological Society, 

 Boston; November 29, 1884. 



Dear Sir : I have been always much interested in the reports 

 of your Missouri Horticultural Society and the wonderful progress 

 of pomology in the Western States, among which your association 

 stands forth so prominently both for enterin-ise and acquisitions. 



The apples which the society had the kindness to send me last 

 year were very remarkable for their size and beauty, not excelled 

 by any collection I have ever received, and I suppose your exhi- 

 bition at the great exposition at New Orleans will astonish the 

 pomologists of the old world. 



The Missouri Horticultural Society has been a powerful agent 

 in the advancement of American pomology. 



Well do I remember the hospitality with which the American 

 Pomological Society was received at its meeting in St. Louis in 

 .1867, and tlie kind words of President Mead, Dr. Spaulding, 

 Arthur Bryant, and others ; especially those of the venerable Dr. 

 Edwards in introducing the lady who placed on my head a beau- 

 tiful wreath of flowers in bebalf of the ladies of St, Louis. 



And now, my dear secretary, I desire to express to the 

 members of your society the great interest I feel in the advance- 

 ment of the pomology of our blessed land. Xo other country has 

 such capabilities and no other has made such wonderful progress. 



In the order of Providence she has become a great leader in 

 this most beautiful and benevolent employment. 



The next meeting of the American Pomological Society is to 

 be held in Michigan next year, when I doubt not there will be a 

 full representation of the best men and the best fruits of our 

 immense domain in which the Missouri Horticultural Society will 

 occupy an important place, and I fondly hope to see a great 

 reformation in the nomenclature of our fruits. This is a subject 

 which has lain near my heart for many years and which I hope 

 may be accomplished before I go hence. 



You have copies of the rules of pomology adopted by the 

 Americal Pomological Society with my suggestions as to the 

 proper naming of fruits, which I am most happy to learn are being 

 adopted not only here, but in Europe, thus striking from our 

 catalogue and suppressing all long, superfluous, indelicate, inap- 

 propriate, and bombastic names. 



The American Pomological Society was the first national 

 society thus interested, of which we have any record. It is her 

 mission to lead in this most worthy enterprise. Let her fulfill it. 



MAESHALL P. WILDEE. 



