334 ^^^^ American Potnological Society. 



number of plates of fruit was over twenty-six hundred. The only dis- 

 appointment felt, was at the limited exhibition of figs and other peculiar 

 southern fruits, there being only a single box of dried figs, from our corre- 

 spondent, Mrs. S. E. Byers, of Texas. The Scuppernong grape was, 

 however, shown in quantity, and surprised some of the delegates, who 

 were not previously acquainted with it, by its good quality. 



We must not omit to acknowledge the excellent arrangements jnade for 

 the meeting and exhibition of the society. The reception by the mayor 

 of the city at the State House, the excursion down the James River on 

 the first day, and the banquet at the close of the session, and other cour- 

 tesies, will long be remembered, and the attentions of John M. Allan, 

 Esq.,. President of the Virginia Pomological and Horticultural Society, 

 who was from beginning to end indefatigable in his exertions to pro- 

 mote the enjoyment of the delegates, will not soon be forgotten. 



Invitations to hold the next meeting at Chicago, Geneva, Leaven- 

 worth, and Indianapolis, were received ; but as soon as it was known 

 to be the desire of the president that the twenty-fifth anniversay, — which 

 will occur two years hence, — should be celebrated at Boston, where 

 the first idea of the society originated, these preferences were yielded 

 with a grace which was fully appreciated by the president as well as 

 the numerous delegation who accompanied him, and it was unanimous- 

 ly decided to meet in Boston in 1873. We only hope that the delegates 

 may be as numerous, the arrangements as excellent, and the meeting 

 as successful, as at the session held under the auspices of our Richmond 

 friends. 



We wish we could publish the excellent address of the president in 

 full, but we have only room to say that it consisted mainly of a review 

 of the "• Lessons of Experience " gained since the formation of the 

 society, under the heads of, i, the beneficial influence of warm, dry sea- 

 sons ; 2, the advantage of draining fruit lands ; 3, preparation and cul- 

 ture of the soil ; 4, manures and their application ; 5, the advantage of 

 mulching; 6, necessity of thinning fruit; 7i insects and diseases; 8, 

 necessity of shelter ; 9, tl"ie impo-rtance of the study of meteorology ; 

 and, 10, the importance of originating new varieties. The importance 

 of completing the society's catalogue of fruits was commended to the 

 attention of the members. Mention was also made of three of the 

 founders of this society, who since the last meeting have been removed 

 by death, "like fruits fully ripened in their season," — Dr. Alfred S. 

 Monson, of New Haven, Conn., Dr. R. T. Underbill, of Croton Point, 

 N. Y., and Dr. Eben Wight, of Dedham, Mass. The death of M. S. 

 Frierson, of Columbia, Tenn., one of the vice-presidents of the society. 



