WINTER MEETING. 213 



"has come when the State Horticultural Societies of the I'nlon are gleaming in the grandeur 

 of their glory in progress, prosperity, position and power, and their valuable work is be- 

 ing recognized as telling factors in this avenue of human Industry. 



Yours fraternally, 



J K. JOHNSON, 



Vlce-Pres. American Ass'n of Nurserymen for Texas. 

 Mrs. J. R Johnson, Ex-Sec'y Taxas State Horticultural Soc'y. 



"To the Members of the Missouri State Horticultural Society at Xeosho: 



Mk. President and gentlemen— Regretting my Inability to be present at your session 

 today, I must content myself to give you a hearty greeting with pen and Ink, and to add for 

 your careful consideration the following minute, namely: In view of the fact that our hun- 

 dreds of thousands of bushels of the so-called Big Red Apple does not satisfy the demand for 

 a better dessert apple than the Ben Davis, as It is in evidence that Canada Bellflowers are 

 Imported into St. Louis, and are quoted at $:^.50 per barrel, and that a demand for the Lady 

 apple could only be tilled at Circleville, Ohio, at $2.50 per barrel, transportation added 

 (other like incidents might be multiplied) : and in the further fact that only about 10 per 

 cent or less of Missouri's horticulturists contemplate or think of establishing commercia 

 ■orchards, that therefore the state Horticultural Society recommend and favor the cultiva- 

 tion of fine known dessert fruits (apples) ; and 



2. That a committee of at least three members from each county, men of experience 

 m apple-growing, and good judges of flavor, aroma and keeping (lualltles, be selected, who 

 shall for their respective county or locality report the names of such superior apples as are 

 known to do well in their section. And, further, that the Secretary be requested to puljllsh 

 such lists (with brief notes from the reporter) , in order that a new-comer may be advised of 

 the merits and qualities of such fruits, and govern himself accordingly in setting out new 

 orchards. Had I the privilege.of being present, I should certainly (if permission could be 

 obtained) advocate the adoption of such a measure. 



Very respectfully, yours for the best apple, 



Chas. W. Murtfeldt. 



To the Missouri State Horticultural Society, In session at Xeosho: 



Mr. President— Finding myself still on the Committee of Ornithology, I will attempt 

 a brief report. Two years ago the black birds were hard on our cherries. It is seldom that 

 we have a show to get even one mess of our sweet cherries, and we hardly expect It. That 

 same year the brown thrush did yeoman service to help make way with our red raspberries , 

 and also to take our grapes, although the grapes were " bagged." We have only four 

 Early Richmond cherry trees, but they are such prolific annual bearers that we can spare a 

 good share of the crop to the birds. The season just passed the birds did some damage on 

 berries and cherries, but none of them took the grapes. Of these, many branches were 

 left to decay on the vines, there being such an abundance that none could be sold. 



I can not appreciate any considerable deminutlon In the annual crop of insects, and 

 am of opinion that they (the birds) prefer grain, sweet corn and fruits to worms. 



Respectfully submitted, 



Chas. W. Murtfeldt. 



