THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK 



peach orchards in a dozen states have exceeded the combined vakie of 

 the melon and citrus industries. 



But it remains for the apple orchards, that produce the great staple, 

 standard fruit, most in demand and used by every class of consumers, 

 to rise to the greatest heights of financial value. There are records of 

 $i,8oo having been received for the fruit from one acre of apple trees. 

 In New York state we saw the Baldwin apples in an orchard of five 

 acres that brought the owner $3,500; and also twenty Northern Spy apple 

 trees, occupying but three quarters of an acre, the fruit of which brought 

 the owner $1,000. 



There is a record in this state of a rundown farm of 100 acres that was 

 bought for $5,000. The thirty-acre neglected apple orchard was sprayed, 

 pruned, cultivated and put in good condition, the fruit of which six 

 months after brought the owner $6,000 cash. The instances of large value 

 that has been received from other kinds of fruits much in use are many, 

 but those cited are sufficient to show the important financial relation 

 which horticulture holds to the community, and by a wider dissemination 

 of horticultural knowledge and practise, the benefits that follow in this 

 most interesting line of work may be largely multiplied. 



While these figures show the possibilities in horticulture from the 

 financial standpoint, the average returns are much less, and these are the 

 safe guides by which to judge, but the lower scale of average value is yet 

 favorable in comparison with other investments. 



Our cities will ever continue to grow, and to be great centers of industry 

 and trade, but the highest and best development of the country, and of a 

 rural population, is imperative to the best prosperity of all, and there is 

 no one interest, or industry, that has in it so much of good and of helpful- 

 ness to this desired end as that of horticulture. 



fleeting adjourned at 5 P.M. 



George V. N.^sii, 



Secretary. 

 Fep.ru.ary 22, 1913 

 A meeting of the society was held on Sattirday, February 22, 

 1913, at 4 P.I\r., at the American Museum of Natural History, 

 accompanied by an exhibition. Dr. Southwick presided. 



The minutes of the meeting of January 25, 19 13, were read and 

 approved. 



The following persons, having been api:)roved for membership 

 by the Council, were presented for membership : 



Annual 

 Mrs. Alfred M. Coats, Valentine Cleres, Ledyard Avery 

 The secretary was instructed to cast an affirmative ballot for 



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