ANNUAL MEETING, I9O4, IOWA STATE HORT. SOCIETY. 53 



grow Up a new top, and the second growth will be more hardy. 

 This is true of other fruits, apples particularly. 



Some one suggested just here that the fruit-growers should not 

 pay so much attention to new fruits, but work with the older sorts. 

 But Mr. Philips, the delegate from Wisconsin, dissented. He told 

 of the great work which is being done in Minnesota and by some 

 of the growers in Iowa. "Our society has a test orchard," said 

 Mr. Philips, "in which we have planted a number of varieties which 

 were recommended by the best growers. Of a list of eighteen vari- 

 eties of apples, there are only four which were known as far back 

 as 1873, showing that the sorts which are recommended in our 

 state are all of comparatively recent introduction. We do not 

 want to shut out the newer sorts, but should keep on the lookout 

 for better things than we have." 



The Wednesday evening session was largely given over to the 

 ladies, and many good papers were read. A feature of the evening 

 program was the musical numbers, a song by Miss Ora Brandt, a 

 vioHn solo by Mr. Mosier, and a quartet which sang two songs, the 

 words of which were composed by Mr. Eugene Secor, one of the 

 members of the society. These were "The Hum of the Bees in 

 the Apple Tree Blooms," and "Buckwheat Cakes and Honey." 

 This was a surprise to Mr. Secor and was much enjoyed by him 

 and the other members. 



At the conclusion of the program Wednesday evening the 

 members and their wives and visitors were the guests of Secretary 

 Wesley Greene at a banquet at Hotel Elliott, which was a most 

 enjoyable affair. Many very good and humorous speeches were 

 made. The close of this program was a little poem, "A Bit of 

 Greene," by Eugene Secor, as follows: 



A BIT OF GREENE. 



We stretch our legs beneath the board 



With greatest satisfaction 

 When some one else assumes the bills 



That drive men to distraction; 

 And hence, tonight, these fruit-tree cranks — 



Who turn their own heads, chiefly — 

 Will linger where this gratis grub 



Has tickled them too briefly. 



Men who have lived on Russian fruits. 



And they who eat Ben Davis, 

 Have come to poach on Greene's preserves. 



And get a taste of Avis. 

 Plain Johnny-cake and apple-sauce 



And home-cooked pork and beans 

 Will seem like twenty-seven cents 



Beside this feast of Greene's. 



