42 ANNUAL REPORT 



main most of the time within the l)uildinj^3, thus rendering it very ineonvenient 

 for exliihitor.s to arrange their disphiys in a tasty manner, and donlitless the hor- 

 ticultural exhibit was much inferior to what it would have been nn'ier different 

 circumstances. Again the season had not been a favorable one for most varieties 

 of fruit and especially apples. The crop was unusually light, and, owing to the 

 extreme heat, and drought, and depredations ot insects, not up t(^ the usual stand- 

 ard of excellence. Nevertheless, the fruit was so ably managed as to make it a 

 success and the horticultural department was not behind any other, and was a 

 credit to the State Horticultural Society and to all wlio contributed to the exhibit. 

 The premiums awarded have been paid in full. 



The fall meeting and fair at Lake City was a very pleasant occasion. Owing to 

 the rain and unpleasant weather the country roads were nearly im])assable, and 

 the attendance of visitors from outside the city was light. 



The display of fruits and vegetables was fine. Great credit is due to the com- 

 mittee who had the arrangements of tlie meeting in charge and to the citizens of 

 Lake City for the hospitality extended to the members. For particulars see oificial 

 reports After considering that apples and the late fruit are exhibited at the State 

 and other fairs and pretty freely discussed at the winter meeting, I am of the 

 opinion that hereafter we should appoint our extra meeting in the season of small 

 or summer fruits, and offer suitable premiums to insure a good exhiliition. 



The meeting of the Mississippi Valley Horticultural Society wns held at Cincin- 

 nati, Ohio, commencing September 6, and the eighteenth biennial session of the 

 American Pomological Society occurred at Boston, Massachusetts, September 14, 

 15, and 16. Our society was not represented at eitlier of the meetings. Upon re- 

 ceiving official notice of them I immediately addressed a circular letter to our sec- 

 retary and each member of the executive committee, and in reply they each ex- 

 pressed the opinion that in view of tlie sliortness and quality of our fruit crop, it 

 would be impossible to make a creditable showing at either of the meetings, and 

 that under existing circumstances it would not be expedient for us to defray the 

 expenses, of a delegate to either of them. No report of the Mississippi Valley 

 Society meeting has come to my notice, but I have the assurance that the Pom- 

 ological meeting was a success and the most interesting, in some respects, of any 

 year lield, for wliich I am heartily glad. This membersliip comprises the best hor- 

 ticultural talent of America. It has completed thirty-three years of its existence 

 and it was the first national association for the promotion of pomology of which 

 history gives any account. Tt is not only national in extent, but American as well, 

 for it also embraces the provinces of British America. It has vice-presidents and 

 fruit committees in more than fifty States, Territories and Provinces, who give re- 

 ports upon the fruits speciality adapted to their respective districts, and it is doing 

 a good work in encouraging the cultivation and improvement of the choicest 

 varieties of fruit in every portion of our great country. Its sessions have been dis- 

 tributed among the larger cities of the United States and I think that a little ef- 

 fort on oxir part might secure one in this State. The venerable Marshall P. Wilder 

 opened the meeting with an address whicli (though he is 83 years old), shows that 

 lie has lost but little of the vigor mf his youtli and that he stands first among the 

 horticulturists of the age, in view of which I would recommend that he be elected 

 a life member of our society, and that the leading portion of liis last address be 



