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120 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE IOWA STATE HORTI- 
CULTURAL SOCIETY, 1894. 
WM. SOMERVILLE, VIOLA, DELEGATE. 
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the State Horticultural 
Society: 
Asa delegate to the Horticultural Society of lowa, that met at Des 
Moines on the eleventh of December, 1894, in the Cycling Club hall 
of that city, I herewith give you my report. Only sixty or seventy 
were present, but the lack of numbers was made up in interest and 
enthusiasm. Everybody had something to say worth saying of 
practical interest, for all were workers. Questions and answers fol- 
lowed each other in quick succession, and not a word was lost. 
The opening remarks were made by Mr. A. F. Collman, of Corning, 
the president of the society; and they were cheering and encourag- 
ing. He said that the fruit crop had beena short one, but we had 
much to be thankful for, and that the prospects were bright for the 
coming year. There were representative delegates present from 
every part of the state. The opening prayer was made by the Rev. 
Frisbie, and he was made an honorary member. 
Mr. F. M. Powell, of Glenwood, made an interesting report for the 
third district. He said that Mills county produced from twenty-five 
to forty per cent. of an average crop of applies this year. The ex- 
treme drouth caused the fruit to fall before reaching maturity. He 
spoke of one orchard in particular, belonging to Mr. James Record, 
that had apparently escaped the drouth, he having raised 5,900 
bushels of apples on thirty-five acres, with a net profit of $2,500 
The orchard was sheltered on the north, south and west by heavy. 
timber, which had the effect of moderating the hot wind so that it 
did not have the same effect on that orchard as it did on others more 
exposed. Another orchard was reported in Potawatamie county 
as yielding a large crop of apples. Owing to three or four applica- 
tions of Paris green, Capt. Bacon, ona forty acre orchard in Harri- 
son county, raised 7,000 bushels of apples. Audilon county reported 
a high percentage of apples, cherries and plums, but the small fruits 
were almost a failure in many localities, in consequence of drouth. 
After discussing the papers at some length, the conclusion was 
reached that the drouth was the cause of the partial failure of straw- 
berries, raspberries and blackberries. Grapes were not injured by 
disease this year as usual, but were a good crop. 
Mr. Green, of Davenport, said he was convinced for success in 
small fruit growing, not excepting the orchard, that shallow culti- 
vation throughout the growing season was the only means of suc- 
sess. A motion to adjourn was in order. 
At half past one we met on time, and I then presented my creden- 
tials. A motion was made to receive me as an honorary member, 
for which I thanked them for the honor conferred. 
They wished me to take part in the discussions as they came up, 
which I did to some extent, for I felt at home among horticulturists. 
The afternoon sesson was devoted to the reading of papers and 
discussions. Mr. M.E. Hinkley, of Marcus,and E. M. Powell, of Glen- 
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