NORTHEASTERN IOWA HORT. SOC'Y, ANNUAL MEETING. 67 



sider the meeting a very profitable and pleasant one to all participat- 

 ing. The attendance was not as good as might be wished, but the 

 spirit was admirable. 



The fruit exhibit, consisting of some seventy-five varieties of ap- 

 ples, was much ahead of the display of the Southern Minnesota So- 

 ciety at Austin, but that was to be expected. The southern Minne- 

 sota people are working to the Iowa model, and there is no feeling 

 of jealousy. 



President Gardner, as full of vim and vigor as ever, was 

 promptly on hand, as well as vice-president Reeves, Secretary True 

 and Treasurer Ivins. The secretary had everything in readiness to 

 move when the president called the meeting to order at 1 130 p. m. 

 The session opened with prayer by Rev. G. B. Shoemaker, of Iowa 

 Falls. 



The executive committee, recognizing the mistake in calling the 

 meeting to last over Thanksgiving, facilitated matters by the an- 

 nouncement by the president that all papers sent in by members not 

 in attendance would be filed with the secretary and not read, which 

 would shorten the program so that members would be able to reach 

 home in time for turkey. 



Reports from district directors regarding the fruit crop, mar- 

 ket prices, condition of orchards and nursery stock were read, and al- 

 though the same condition was reported to exist throughout the sev- 

 eral districts as in Minnesota as regards late growth of trees it was 

 the opinion of all that the orchards were in good condition to go 

 into winter. 



Elmer Reeves, expert orchardist, of Waverly, ruled that the 

 clinging of the leaves of the apple tree was more of a mechanical 

 connection than a natural one. Treasurer Ivins, of Iowa Falls, ex- 

 hibited cuttings from several different varieties of apple trees, which, 

 after a careful examination by members present and just as good au- 

 thority as the state can produce, were pronounced in a perfectly 

 healthy condition. 



The report of district directors was so complete that there was 

 very little discussion, and at 3:30 the meeting adjourned until 7:3oin 

 the evening for the purpose of giving those who wished an oppor- 

 tunity to visit the fruit farm of Mr. Ivins. Comfortable conveyances 

 were soon at the door, and all took passage, and — with the excep- 

 tion of your delegate — a finer looking lot of men never took part in 

 any parade. 



We are glad to report that the society found his orchards and 

 nursery in an exceedingly healthy condition, notwithstanding the soil 

 and location was not one best adapted. It is an ideal small fruit 



