ANNUAL MEETING, I9O5, IOWA STATE HOET. SOCIETY. 2/ 



tie criticism of papers was indulged in. These lowans appear to 

 be a harmonious lot of fellows. 



Varieties of apples were discussed but little or not at all. 



Those attending- this meeting did not appear to be very much 

 interested in plums, but reports showed that the plum rot (monilia) 

 could be kept in check by spraying at intervals throughout the 

 growing season. 



The discussion on spraying was of great interest, and it showed 

 that most of the large orchardists depended entirely upon the 

 liquid spray to keep their orchard trees in a healthy condition, but 

 it was generally admitted that the dust spray, being so easily applied, 

 as a worm exterminator it w^ould be of value to those farmers who 

 only had a small orchard and would not take the trouble to make and 

 apply the liquid spray. 



Of strawberries the Senator Dunlap was the only variety 

 mentioned as being of special and great value, all the large fruited 

 varieties without exception not being productive enough to be of any 

 value to the commercial grower. 



Wednesday occurred the election of officers. Here the Iowa 

 society made a record for rapid work. Tim.e, including presentation 

 si>eeches, four and one-half minutes ; sixteen officers, by ballot, one 

 at a time. W. A. Burnap, of Clear Lake, is the new president, and 

 Wesley Greene is secretary. 



Right after the Wednesday evening session we were the guests 

 of Secretary Wesley Greene at a banquet held in the immense dining 

 hall of the Savery Hotel. About twenty-five colored waiters were 

 attending to our wants, and we estimate that about three hundred 

 persons were attending as guests. The society took this occasion to 

 present Secretary Greene with an elegant gold watch, suitably en- 

 graved. It is pleasing to note how the lowans delight to love and 

 honor their secretary. 



We were entertained by the Iowa people throughout the three 

 days we were there with the greatest of courtesy, consideration and 

 hospitality. 



From what we heard at the meeting and what we saw from 

 the car windows would judge that the average Iowa farmer is fully 

 as backward in trying to grow his own fruit as those of southern 

 Minnesota, at least. In southern and central Iowa the fruit is most- 

 ly raised by the commercial grower. 



The delegate from Iowa to our late meeting, Mr. C. F. Gardner, 

 made such a thorough and excellent report of our meeting and of 

 our resources that nothwithstanding the shortcomings of the Minne- 

 sota delegate the interests of the Minnesota State Horticultural 

 Society were pretty well presented at the Iowa meeting just closed 



