Annual Meeting at St. Joseph. 1^9 



tive. The little labor and money expended would be nothing to 

 compare with the sickness that could be prevented, to say notning 

 of the pleasure there can be enjoyed by living in such a place. I 

 cannot see why we yet find so many who cannot find a few hours to 

 devote to making their surroundings pleasant and attractive. 



Hoping that you will excuse the limited report of a new be- 

 ginner, I remain, Eespectfully Yours, 



F. LIONBERGEE. 



EVAPORATING FRUITS. 



BY H. W. HOFFMA]Sr, LEAVENWORTH, KAS. 



I came here to listen and learn, but rather than liave a subject 

 of so much importance to horticulture and so valuable to horticul- 

 turists go by default, I have consented to present a few remarks for 

 the" purpose of drawing out discussion upon the subject of "Evapor- 

 ating of Fruits and Vegetables." Not expecting to take part in the 

 discussion I came unprepared, as I could have offered statistics and 

 information which I have gathered from agricultural and horticul- 

 tural papers that might have added interest to the suljject. I will 

 present in brief the arguments in its favor. 



1st. Its liygienic value by carrying, in an almost perfect state, 

 the acid fruits and anti-scorbutic vegetables to the seasons and the 

 latitudes beyond their natural range, cheapening their transporta- 

 tion so that they may become the every day diet of the common 

 people at the '' Ends of the Earth. " 



2nd. Its economic value in affording a means for rapidly and 

 cheaply preserving the surplus fruits, which now rot or go to waste. 

 And when we reflect that the estimated loss amounts to nearly one- 

 third of our entire crop of fruit, we begin to comprehend its 

 importance in dollars and cents. 



The/r5^ proposition I suppose will be accepted without argu- 

 ment by my horticultural friends. 



They who have tested the exhilarating and healthful fruits 

 will look with'pity toward the denizens of the "arid plains" and 

 frigid northlands and gladly welcome some means of extending to 

 them a meed of these golden gifts of our soil and climate ; 



