352 



THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY 



I November, 



of South Carolina, died at Chester, nearly two 

 years since. Many will remember his interest- 

 ing and scientific paper on the cross-fertilization 

 of Amei'ican and foreign grapes, especially on 

 the different forms of pollen grains, showing 

 how it was not possible for some kinds to ferti- 

 lize others. They will also remember the fine 

 specimens of grapes of his own crossing which 

 he has shown at the various exhibitions of the 

 American Pomological Society, especially the 

 Peter Wylie, now in much repute, at the South. 

 Dr. W. was a modest unpretending gentleman, 

 and was eminently a man of science, much at- 

 tached to the cultivation of fruits, and the re- 

 sults of his investigations are of great interest 

 not only to horticulturists, but to vegetable 

 physiologists. His loss will be much deplored 

 by all who knew him. 



Dr. H. A. Svvasey, died at Tangipahoa, Louisi- 

 ana, of yellow fever, September 18th, 1878, in 

 Washington Parish, at his post of duty as a phy- 

 sician in contending with this fearful disease. 

 Dr. Swasey was born at Saint Johnsbury, Ver- 

 mont, but had resided at the South for a long 

 time. He was a strong friend of the American 

 Pomological Society, and warmly attached to 

 the pleasures of rural life. He Avas one of our 

 Committee on Xative Fruits, and on the revis- 

 ion of the Catalogue. During a long and busy 

 life he was connected with the agricultural and 

 horticultural press. He was for a considerable 

 time editor of Our Hume Journal, of Louisiana. 

 He published a horticultural journal at Yazoo 

 City, Mississippi; was connected with the Rural 

 Alabamian, at Mobile, and took editorial charge 

 of the Southern Plantation, at Montgomery. He 

 was a constant contributor to the agricultural 

 and horticuliural press, dispensing freely of the 

 knowledge he acquired, and much of the horti- 

 cultural improvement in the South is due to his 

 zealous and unselfish efl'orts to promote 'the 

 public good. 



Although it has not been our custom to refer 

 to others than those who have held official rela- 

 tions with us, I think it proper also to notice the 

 death of Col. Edward Wilkins, of Chestertown, 

 Maryland, who died December, 1878. From Col. 

 W.,it will be remembei-ed,.the Society received 

 especial courtesies at its session in Baltimore. 

 At his invitation the Society visited his exten- 

 sive peach orchard, the dimensions of which 

 would astonish the world. It wa^ probably the 

 largest of which we have any record. He was 

 much attached to fruit culture, and did not con- 



fine himself to peaches alone. He was one of 

 the fathers of the immense peach trade, and his 

 orchards were wonderfully successful. He was 

 one of the foremost horticulturists of Maryland, 

 full of enthusiasm, and characterized by business- 

 like methods in this and other walks of life. He 

 was universally respected as a progressive man. 



There may be others who have held official 

 relations with us, who have died since our last 

 session, of whom I have not been informed; if 

 so, I trust appropriate i-esolutions will be passed, 

 expressing our respect and gratitude for their 

 services in our cause. 



Conclusion.-^ln conclusion, with a heart full of 

 gratitude for the many honors you have con- 

 ferred upon me as your President, I now lay 

 down the robes of office with which you have 

 clothed me for twenty-nine years, feeling assured 

 that though we may die, our institution shall 

 live, and as time advances, others will take it up 

 and foster it with the same love that we have 

 entertained for it. 



Cherish, then, the friendships and kind sympa- 

 thies which has existed between us. The cause 

 you seek to promote is the cause of civilization 

 and humanity. A few more years and those 

 who now occupy these seats will have closed 

 their labors on earth, but the same earth will 

 bring forth its mj'riads of fruits and flowers, and 

 yield its bounteous harvests for the service of 

 those who may come after us. • 



A few more days, a few more months, and he 

 who now addresses you will have joined the 

 great congregation of the dead, and have passed 

 beyond the horizon of life, but his spirit shall 

 continue to render thanks to the Giver of all 

 good for the blessings which have flowed from 

 the influence of our association. May it live on. 

 and on, and be perpetuated as a benefactor of 

 mankind. And what more dutiful or grateful ser- 

 vice can we render to our kindred or our country 

 than to hand down to posterity the choicest fruits 

 we have been enabled to produce for their use. 

 May the success of the past cheer and stimulate 

 you to greater exertions in the future, and al- 

 though you may not live to reap the rich har- 

 vest which you are now planting, your childn-ii 

 and your children's children shall rejoice in the 

 result of your labor long after you shail liave 

 passed over the river to those celestial fields, 



AVhere the verdure of Spring time forever sliall reign, 

 And the perfume of flowers float o'er the bright plain, 



Where the noontide of Summer and Autumn shall blend. 

 In the harvest of fruits that never shall end. 



