26 
AMERICAN POMOEOGICAE SOCIETY 
Canada, and it will extend the culture of these northward. And then in the 
case of small fruits and berries, the cranberries, blackberries, raspberries, 
currants and strawberries, these grow almost to the Arctic Circle in their 
northern habitat, — wild state; and from that you see the available material 
for the improvement of good varieties. 
Horticulture is not very old in the northern states and Canada, but it 
is, as I said, developing rapidly, and I think you will find in the near future 
the North will hold a much higher place than it does at present in the 
horticulture of North America. 
I am very much pleased indeed to be able to be present at this meeting, 
and hope that some day before long it will be possible for the American 
Pomological Society to hold its meeting in the Capital of Canada. (Applause.) 
President Goodman: I was wondering whether he came from Massa- 
chusetts or California. (Laughter) 
We were to have a response from our friend Barry, of western New 
York, to represent the East, from which the inspiration and growth of 
horticulture has spread over the Mildle West and then to the Rockies; then 
we were to have a response from Mr. Dumas, of the Pacific Coast, where 
it seems that great developments in pomology have been made all through 
that region. The ideas that are coming back, across the Rockies to the 
Central West, and even into the East, are stimulating us as they did the 
West. The ideas of the remarkable western methods are coming back as an 
inspiration from those western people and from the Coast and they are giving 
us great help in our work. 
In the absence of Mr. Dumas and Mr. Barry these responses of course will 
be passed. 
But before w r e take up the program I think I shall call on the United 
States Pomologist Brackett, whom you all know, and only know him to love 
him. He has been the National Pomologist so long, and yet with his ripe 
maturity of years, he is in the most vigorous health and strength, and attend- 
ing this meeting and will be here in the midst of all its activities and as 
much interested in every apple as any of our younger men, notwithstanding 
his almost eighty-seven years of youthfulness. 
We honor him; we honor him this morning. Brother Brackett let us 
hear from you. (Hearty and vigorous applause). 
Col. Brackett: I think this is rather unfair. I have had no intimation 
whatever of this calling upon me to speak to you — none at all. I was called 
in from the work that I was doing outside, and asked to come in here, and 
it is a great surprise to be asked to speak. I am not prepared to deliver 
a speech to you at this time ; you may have gotten the idea, from the way it 
was done, that I am a rather new species brought up here to be exhibited 
before you. (Laughter and applause.) I don’t know as I differ so far, or so 
very much, from other people; but really my heart is so full that I fear my 
tongue will fail to give fair expression to the gratitude that I feel in 
being present this morning. I find words utterly inadequate to express myself 
to you on this occasion. 
This is certainly one of the grandest and greatest occasions we have 
had in the history of the American Pomological Society. We have some first- 
class grouping of some great exhibits this time, to start with, and they are on 
