300 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



An adjourned meeting was held on the 15th of the month. The continued 

 severe cold weather had caused anxiety as to the safety of the peach buds, and 

 a talk on the subject naturally followed. The views of the speakers began to 

 be less hopeful than at the former meeting. 



The planting of poach trees close to a belt of timber was considered inju- 

 rious ; a free circulation of air was considered best. 



Transportation of fruits was talked of some, and encouragement was given 

 by J. D. Baldwin that improved facilities may soon be realized. 



Fruit packages were next discussed. Crates and bushel baskets were liked 

 better than the small round baskets, especially when shipped for canning 

 purposes. 



J. J. Parshall spoke of the value of coal ashes as a mulch to keep down 

 weeds, and of their power to retain moisture around plants and trees. 



J. D. Baldwin used them considerably, and said it loosened up his heavy 

 clay soil. 



By request of the meeting Dr. A. Conklin gave his experience and observa- 

 tion in keeping fruits in refrigerating houses. He believed such houses prac- 

 ticable for keeping fruits beyond their natural season and that soft peaches 

 could be made into jellies without sugar. 



Emil Baur believed it was better to make peach jam out of soft peaches. 

 In the February meeting the subject of the erection of a fruit and vegetable 

 canning factory was resumed and the project was favorably entertained, but 

 no definite result being arrived at in the matter. 



A fine display of apple jellies was exhibited by N. B. Covert. They were 

 made by Miss Sarah Fletcher. 



A discussion ensued on jelly making. Miss Fletcher was in favor of using 

 sugar in its manufacture for the market, while others believed the use of sugar 

 for market purposes impracticable. 



J. D. Baldwin spoke enthusiastically on fruit culture, and believed we could 

 not overdo the business as there was an increasing demand for our fruits by 

 foreign markets. 



J. Austin Scott was much interested in what was said by the preceding 

 speakers, and like them felt assured that a canning house could be profitably 

 carried on here. We need and want them all around us and the world will 

 require their products. If all the suitable lands were put into apples with the 

 proper varieties, and the trees properly managed, he contended the business 

 would not be overdone. Mr. Scott laid particular stress on the importance of 

 good care to trees. The cultivator, he said, should have a love for his busi- 

 ness and then he would succeed. To grow and produce something, he believed 

 was one of man's noblest efforts. 



Judge P. L. Page spoke of the moral side to the question under discussion 

 and thought the good effect upon the community that would follow in giving 

 employment to a large number of persons through the establishment of can- 

 ning or fruit preserving houses was apparent. 



J. D. Baldwin, as vice president of the county agricultural and horticultural 

 society, made a proposition at the March meeting that this society take charge 

 of the fruit exhibit of said society at the next fair. After discussion the 

 proposition was accepted. 



A variety of jellies was again presented to the meeting for examination and 

 on which a discussion followed. 



