PREFATORY NOTE 
The Twenty-Sixth Session of the American Pomological Society was held in 
Horticultural Hall, Philadelphia, September 7 and 8, 1899, in response to an 
invitation from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, which was accepted 
by the Executive Committee early in 1899. Announcement of place and 
approximate date of meeting was immediately made through the press and 
the several state horticultural societies were urged to select delegates to the 
Session at their annual meetings. A preliminary program of speakers and 
subjects issued in July was mailed to the members and to other persons inter- 
ested in fruit culture. 
As the dates selected occurred during the Annual Encampment of the Grand 
Army of the Republic, many members reached Philadelphia a day or two in 
advance of the opening of the Session and were on hand to participate, in an 
informal conference held in connection with a meeting of the Executive 
Committee in the parlors of Wissahickon Inn, on Wednesday eve, Sept. 6. 
At this conference the objects and methods of the society were discussed 
with freedom in an informal way with apparent profit to those present and 
to the Society. The preliminary details of the Session were settled and an 
evening of social conversation and renewal of acquaintance was enjoyed. 
The Session was graced by the attendance of many of the veterans in 
pomology who 'were its active members during its early history. Their words 
of reminiscence and of hope may well encourage the younger members to 
increased activity in the work which the Society has before it in increasing 
public interest in fruit culture both for home use and for profit. 
The essential features of the Session are included in the following steno- 
graphic record of the transactions. Some of the papers and addresses are 
published in the form of abstracts in accordance with the expressed desire 
of the authors. Several papers prepared for the meeting by persons not pres- 
ent are included in the published proceedings. 
Very respectfully, 
WM. A. TAYLOR, 
Secretary. 
[The Society does not in any way hold itself responsible for, nor endorse 1 opinions 
or theories expressed in the various papers or discussions found in this volume.] 
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