1872 / The Western Pomologist and Gardener. 51 



^bitor 6 8ortfoli0. 



Annual Meeting oftlie State Hortlcultnral Society. 



The Iowa State Horticultural Society met in tliis city Monday evening January 15th. 

 'f'be attendance was very light from abroad as might have been expected, for a more 

 inopportune appointment could scarcely have been made, because but very few of the dis- 

 a nt members could reach the evening meeting, short of leaving home on the previous 

 Saturday. The President, Prof. Mathews, delivered his annual address, which was 

 listened to with marked attention. After a retrospective view of fruit growing in the State, 

 the subjects of insects, blight, culture, protection and other topics of minor interest were 

 ably presented. We should be pleased to present the address in full to the readers of the 

 PoMOLOQiST, but with the crowd of other matter upon our columns from correspondents 

 and advertising patrons we cannot consistently spare the space. 



The show of fruits and wines was not very large, but nevertheless it included some 

 specimens of special interest to those present, among which were the Stark and Lawver 

 apples, of which we have heard so much within a few months past through the horticul- 

 tural press. After a fair and impartial trial of these two apples, in competition with the 

 Willow Twig, the committee were unanimous in according to the Stark superiority in 

 flavor, whilst the Lawver was as heartily rejected. A seedling apple, or at least so claimed, 

 from Mahaska county, excited a good deal of interest from its resemblance to the Balti- 

 more. So much alike were the two when brought together and closely scrutinized, that 

 they were thought at one time to be identical. But the question of their identity was 

 finally left open for another season's trial. There is surely a remarkable likeness in the 

 appearance of these two apples. 



Samples of Concord and Catawba wines were upon the tables, said to be made from the 

 pure juice — unadulterated with either sugar or water. In the flavor of the two we could 

 not detect the slightest difference. A bottle of wine was also presented from Mrs. Kim- 

 hall of Knoxville, made from the pure juice of the so-called Rogers' " No. 13," with the 

 addition of three - fourths of a pound of sugar to the gallon. All who tasted this wine 

 pronounced it very fine — possessing a peculiar aroma and rich flavor. 



The everlasting apple and pear tree blight came up for a hearing; new theories were 

 advanced only to be knocked " high and dry,'' for every speaker had a theory of his own, 

 and as opposite as the two poles. Finally the very sensible conclusion was arrived at, 

 that the more the question was discussed the worse it became " muddled." 



Reports from the members of the ad interim committee went to show the great abund- 

 ance of fruit the past year, and gave flattering assurance of the progress of horticulture in 

 all sections of the State, fully verifying the words of the President in his annual address 

 when he saj's : " It is a pleasure to know and feel that in all portions of our diversified 

 soil and climate, so many are interesting themselves in the culture of fruits. That the 

 manifestations in this direction are upon a souud and healthy increase there is no doubt; 

 nor is it now denied by any, that take our State altogether, we are equal with most others 

 in the staple pomological productions, the peach only excepted. » * * * 

 It is true that we have come up to this point through great tribulation. It seems to me 

 when I look back upon the many and formidable obstacles and discouragements our fruit 

 growers have had to contend with, that nothing short of the characteristic perseverance 

 and pluck of the Iowa people would ever have brought them through the manifold beset- 

 ments and drawbacks of incipient culture, and elevated them to the proud position they 

 now occupy. They are veterans in the highest sense of the term, and while they claim no 

 special immunities for the valuable services they have rendered, they will ever enjoy a 

 happy consciousness of the lasting benefits they will have conferred upon succeeding gen- 

 erations." 



