108 EXrEEIMENT STATION EECORD. 



Tho iisuiil lumihor of papers on the practical and technical phases of 

 ponioloyv wore presented, which are noted <piite fully in the account 

 of the nieetino- oiven elsewhere (p. 204). 



The new Society of Horticultural Science has at present no connec- 

 tion with the Pomological Society, and was org-anized by independent 

 action. Its purpose is to foster the development of the scientific 

 aspect of horticulture as distinct from its popular side; and it is 

 expected to occupy a place not now filled by any other organization. 

 For a long- time American horticulturists engaged in research work or 

 in teaching horticulture, particularly station and agricultural college 

 m§n, have felt the need of an organization where they might discuss 

 the technical features of their work. Previous to this time no place 

 has been open to them. The numerous horti(uiltural and pomological 

 societies now in existence are organized along- popular and commercial 

 lines, and deal more particularly with the practice of horticulture. 



The new organization proposes to concern itself primarily with the 

 principles underlying horticultural practice, and the purely scientific 

 and technical features of that art. Membership is to he open under 

 certain restrictions to persons engaged in horticultural teaching and 

 investigations. It will include for the most part the horticulturists 

 of the experiment stations and agricultural colleges, and such other 

 scientific men and investigators in difl:'erent sections of the world as 

 are engaged in work bordering on horticultural lines. 



With reference to the matter of affiliation, there was a feeling shared 

 by man}" that if the society afliliated w4th any other organization it 

 should be with some scientific society from which it might derive 

 inspiration for a higher order of work, rather than with a society 

 organized along popular lines. This matter was finall}" left in the 

 hands of a special committee, to be reported upon at the next meeting, 

 as was also the question of issuing a periodical publication. 



It is believed that the organization of this new society will prove of 

 special value to experiment station horticulturists. It should have a 

 tendency to systematize horticultural work and to stimulate it along 

 investigational lines, besides serving as a rallying place for consulta- 

 tion and discussion. An examination of the literature of the experi- 

 ment stations shows a considerable amount of research work bearing 

 on horticulture, but this is not systematized or correlated to the extent 

 that it is in some other branches of agriculture. Much of the work 

 is disjointed, many problems are untouched, and still others need 

 rounding out. 



Provision is made by the society for the assignment of special sub- 

 jects to referees and alternates for investigation, and several such 

 assignments were made at the fii'st meeting. It is intended to make 

 these investigations systematic and comprehensive, including the chem- 

 istry, soil physics, ph3'siological botany, etc., of the pro])lems in ques- 



