Address at the American Pomological Society

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NINETEENTH SESSION

American ^omolo^ital Societij

HELD IN PHILADELPHIA, PA.,

Sept. 12, 13, 14, 18S3.

By MARSHALL P. WILDER,

PRESIDENT OK TIIF. SOCIETy.

PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY.
1883.

ADDRESS

NINETEENTH SESSION

^meiican Pomolo^ical Socictij

HELD IN PHILADELPHIA, PA.,

Sept. 12, 13, 14, 1SS3.

By MARSHALL P. WILDER,

TBESIDENT OF TUE SOCIETY.

PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY.
1883.

Gentlemen and Fkiends of the Amekican Pomo-
LOGiCAL Society :

"I still live," but I deeply regret a recent disa-
bility from which I may not recover in season to be
present on this occasion, yet as you have so often
declined to receive my resignation of the presidency
of our association, and have provided a special officer
of great ability to occupy the chair in case of my
absence, I take it for granted that in thir^ exigency you
prefer, in the language of scripture, ^' a living dog to
a dead lion," and thus to retain me, not so much for
what 1 now can do, as for what I have done for the
objects you seek to promote.

Our constitution demands of its president an address,
and I, therefore, will speak to you once more in regard
to the interests and objects which it has to advance,
and which I deem worthy of your attention.

This is the fourth time our Society has assembled in
this goodly city at the invitation of the Pennsylvania
Horticultural Society, to whom, in behalf of our own
Association, and in my own behalf, I again present
our grateful acknowledgments for its oft repeated
courtesies to us, and especially, for its constant co-
operation and aid during the lifetime of our Associa-
tion.

Gladly, most gladly, do we accept of these hospitali-
ties so generously tendered to us. Happy, most happy,

are we to be here once more in this time-honored city,
so renowned for its schools of science, advanced civ-
ilization, and benefactions to mankind ; here, at the
birthplace of that immortal declaration of heaven-
born principles of human right which gave to the
world the first great free republic, the most progres-
sive, prosperous and independent nation on the globe ;
here, where the first society was formed for the pro-
motion of agriculture, and the first permanent horti-
cultural society on this continent, both of which, we
rejoice to know, are here today in a vigorous, green old
age ; here, where some of the first general efforts were
made for the promotion of American pomology, —
efforts which culminated in the establishment of this
Society, and other similar institutions, — efforts whose
merits throughout our immense domain, excite the
wonder and admiration of the world. Here, too, were
the homes of Bartram and Mease, Landreth and Buist,
James, Brinckle, and Houghton, and other pioneers and
cultivators, whose labors contributed very largely to
the advancement of our cause, and whose names, in con-
nection with those of other benefactors of our Society,
will be held in grateful remembrance while the bless-
ings of rural art, the charms of nature, and the golden
fruits of summer and autumn shall gladden the sight
and minister to the comfort and happiness of mankind.
These worthy men, like those others who laid
the foundations of our national compact, have finished
their labors and gone to receive their reward. But we

still live to cany out the noble designs which they
originated, and thus to develop the blessings of human
freedom and the wonderful resources of our land, and.
make it more and more worthy of the protection of an
independent, enlightened, enterprising and prosperous
people.

In Memoriam.

We this day enter on the duties of another biennial
term, and wdiile I most heartily congratulate you
upon the growth and prosperity of our Society in its
beneficent influence, — on what it has accomplished
and is still' doing, — I most earnestly pray that our
lives may be prolonged, our energies renewed, and
our labors be crowned with continued success; but we
cannot forget that death has again entered our ranks,
and removed from our circle many old friends and
worthy co-laborers of our cause.

During the interval since our last session, we have
sustained greater losses of official and prominent
associates than in any former like period in the history
of our Society. In my former addresses I have
.endeavored to place in our records a reference to
those who have been officially or otherwise actually
engaged in promoting the objects of this Society, and
now I have the melancholy duty of adding to that
starred roll of worthy men the names of James,
VicK, Bryant, Schley, Peap.ce, Arnold, Johnson,

6

Hooker, Transou, and Warder. In this list, we
number seven Yice-Presidents, a Treasurer, Secretary,
and a member of our Fruit Committee.

Thomas Potts James, the first Treasurer of this
Society, who held that office for twenty-seven years,
died at his residence in Cambridge, Mass., at the ripe
age of 79 years. His presence always cheered our
meetings, and his gratuitous services and cordial
cooperation in the promotion of science were heartily
acknowledged and appreciated. He was widely known
for his study of the vegetable kingdom, especially the
mosses and lichens of our continent, the results of which
he was preparing for publication at the time of his death.
He was connected with many societies for the advance-
ment of science in our land ; was Professor of Botany to
the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society; one of the
Founders of the American Pomological Society; Fellow
of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; Fellow
of the American Association for the Advancement of
Science; Member and Officer of the American Philo-
sophical Society ; Member of the Boston Society of
Natural History, and of other kindred associations.
In all the relations of life he was conscientiously
devoted to whatever was committed to his care. In a
word, he was a true friend, an upright man, and a
Christian gentleman.

James Vick, a former Secretary of our Society, died
at his home in Rochester, New York, May 16, 1882,
aged G4 years. No one has been more familiarly

known to American households as a seedsman, florist,
and publisher of a magazine, than Mr. Vick. He was
an Englishman by birth, but he came in youth to this
country. He soon after entered the printing office of
the Genesee Farmer, published by Luther Tucker,
and was associated for a time as editor and proprietor
of this and the Cultivator, at Albany. On the death of
Andrew Jackson Downing, in 1852, he became the
proprietor of the Horticulturist, and continued its
publication under the able and successful editorship of
our good friend, Patrick Barry, at Rochester. Mr.
Vick was also at one time associated with the editorial
department of the Rural Neio Yorker, but he was
most widely known by his extensive seed trade, and
by his Illustrated Monthly, circulating as it has through
our broad land. No similar publication has become
more popular, or has exerted a more powerful influence
in creating and extending a love of flowers and plants,
and no death in his line of business has been more
generally or deeply deplored.

William Schley, for many years a Vice-President
of this Society for the State of Georgia, died at
Saratoga, N. Y., August 14, 1882. He was a native of
Georgia, and adopted the profession of lawyer, in which
he gained an eminence that gave him a seat on the
bench. He always took a lively interest in fruit culture.
He was early sent as a delegate to the American
Pomological Society, and from that time was generally
present at all of its meetings, except during the war,

8

ever manifesting a deep interest in its work. He was
a gentleman much beloved by us, and specially noted
and admired for his eminently social qualities, his
winning grace of manner, his fine humor, sprightly,
sparkling wit, and ever cheerful demeanor. He could
have won political honors, and worn them gracefully
and with distinction, had he desired to do so. He was
a man of noble generosity and kind deeds, often cramp-
ing himself, by aiding others, and when a friend alluded
to this trait he replied, " while by helping others I am
made poor in purse, I am rich in happiness."

Arthur Bryant, senior, a Vice-President of our
Society, died at his residence, Princeton, Illinois,
last March. Mr. Bryant was an educated man, in the
true sense of that term, trained under the tutorship of
his brother, William Cullen Bryant, with whom for a
time he was associated on the New York Evening Post
He was a thorough scholar, eminent for his knowledge
of the Greek language and of Botany, and for his love
of the beautiful in nature. He was especially interested
in the conservation of our forests, and in the planting
of new ones, and had for a long course of years been a
leading nurseryman in the West. He had been President
of the Illinois State Horticultural Society, and was the
senior member of our board of Vice-Presidents. He was
also a frequent contributor to our public journals, and
author of a book on Forest Trees for Shelter, Adorn-
ment and Profit. His decease is widely deplored, and
has been appropriately noticed by the public press.

9

In his character we recognise the enterprise of one of
the pioneers of American Horticulture, and the virtues
of an enterprising, upright man.

Edward D. Pearce, Vice-President for the State
of Rhode Island, died at Providence during the present
year. He was a man of clear intellect, sound prac-
tical sense and great force of character. He was fond
of the science of agriculture, and in some departments
of it was prominent, especially in the importation of
blooded cattle. In the cultivation of both the smaller
and larger fruits, he was for m^ny years without a rival
in his State. He contributed largely by official services
and personal influence to the advancement of terracul-
tural interests, and was often elected to offices of
honor and trust in his State. Mr. Pearce possessed a
genial nature, and was universally beloved and respected
as a very useful man.

Henry E. Hooker, an old and valuable member, and
for a time a member of the General Fruit Commil^tee,
died at Rochester, N. Y., April 12, 1883, fifty-nine years
of age. He was prominently engaged in the nursery
business, and by his enterprise, sagacity, and integrity,
became well and favorably known throughout our coun-
try. He was always much interested in horticultural
pursuits, and contributed by his labors and his pen
largely to their advancement. He was much interested
in the formation of societies for this purpose, and was
Vice-President of the Western New York Horticultural
Society at the time of his death. He was the intro-

10

ducer, or disseminator of several new and valuable
fruits, among which may be named the Brighton
Grape, now so universally appreciated for its excellence.
He was everywhere respected for his sincerity, always
acting according to his convictions of the right ; mod-
est and unassuming in manners and gentle in dispo-
sition, he was beloved by all who knew him.

Charles Aenold died at his residence in Paris,
Ontario, on the 15th day of April last, aged 64 years.
Mr. Arnold w^as for many years a Vice-President, and
Chairman of the Fruit Committee for Canada West, of
our Society. He was an Englishman, and came to
Canada fifty years ago and here remained until his
death. From a very early period in his life he mani-
fested a great taste for horticultural pursuits, and for
nearly forty years had been actively engaged in follow-
ing his natural tastes.

Although not in early life an educated man, he
found time during his busy life to become familiarly
acquainted with many of the best writings of our time,
especially those which in any way related to his
favorite pursuits. He was a careful observer and
eminently a practical man, speaking of what he knew
rather than of what he conjectured. Pie often wrote
clear and vigorous articles on the subject of cultiva-
tion. He has been for many years constantly engaged
in the cross-fertilization of cereals and vegetables
and other plants and fruits, with marked success.
Of the latter he produced new varieties of the grape,

11

strawberry and raspberry, which are now considered
very valuable.

In vegetables, his American Wonder Pea is every
where highly esteemed, and at the time of his death he
was actively engaged in experiments to improve the
pea, potato and wheat. He was a man of great enthu-
siasm, with good judgment, and his loss is greatly to
be deplored by us.

Joseph E. Johnsox, our Vice-President and Chair-
man of the Fruit Committee for Utah, died at Tempe,
Arizona, Dec. 17, 1882, aged sixty-two years. Mr.
Johnson Avas a prominent leader in the Territory
of Utah in various settlements, and did much to
introduce fruits and flowers in the districts where he
resided. He was a valuable meir^ber of our Society,
being ever ready to advance its interests as far as was
in his power. He originated many seedling fruits,
such as peaches, apricots, grapes, etc., some of them
being of promising local value, as may be seen by his
reports to this Society. Mr. Johnson had recently
removed from St. George, Utah, to Arizona, where
he intended again to engage in gardening and
the culture of the soil. He was a very enter-
prising and progressive man, and occupied many
places of honor and trust among his people. He was
the proprietor and editor of several newspapers and
periodicals in his day, among which were the Utah
Pomologist and Gardener, and by his botanical re-
searches, discoveries and importations, he inspired a

12

taste for the beautiful m nature wherever he went.
In a word, he was a man of unceasing labor, consti-
tutionally a pioneer, and died working in the pioneer
life.

B. F. Tkansou, for the last ten years a Vice-President
of our Society, and at one time Chairman of our Fruit
Committee for Tennessee, died at his residence, near
Humboldt, May 27, aged sixty- three years. He was
born in North Carolina. In 1861 he removed to Gibson
County, where he made a home enriched with fruits
and beautified with flowers. He was a pioneer in the
nursery business. Chairman of the West Tennessee
Fruit Growers' Association, a member of other associa-
tions, and exerted extended and progressive influence
in pomology and rural adornment. Mr. Transou was a
man universally beloved in church and society, of
winning manners, and faithful in all the relations of
life. On the eventful morning when he was smitten
down, while laboring in his rosary, God called, and he
was removed to that better land where the leaf shall
never wither, the flower never fade.

And now, while I am thus writing, there comes the
sad intelligence of the decease of our beloved friend
and associate, Dr. John A. Waeder, Vice-President of
our Society for the State of Ohio, who died on the
14th of Jul}', aged seventy-one years. No death has
occurred in this Society since that of Andrew Jackson
Downing, which is more deeply or widely lamented.

He was born within the limits of Philadelphia, but

13

had from very early days a love for rural life. He
accordingly moved to Ohio, and about thirty years ago
purchased a farm at North Bend, a part of which was
formerly President Harrison's. He was a student of
nature, and especially devoted to scientific researches.
He w^as a beloved physician in Cincinnati until his
removal to his farm, but during this time he was closely
interested in the organization and work of various
scientific and educational associations.

He was a member of the Cincinnati Astronomical
Society ; Western Academy of Natural Science and
Natural History; Ohio Wine Growers' Association;
Ohio Medical College ; many years President of the Ohio
Pomological Society, now the Ohio State Horticultural
Society ; President of the American Forestry Associa-
tion until its consolidation, last year, with the American
Forestry Congress, and member of the American Asso-
ciation for the Advancement of Science. He was much
interested in landscape gardening and the improve-
ment of our cemeteries. He was widely known as an
author, editor and contributor to various literary and
medical publications, among which we specially re-
member his works on American Pomology and Ameri-
can Forestry.

He was remarkably unselfish and generous, devoting
his whole life for the good of others; was modest and
unassuming, possessing fine social qualities, and his
society was greatly enjoyed by all who knew him.
He had been recently appointed by the Department

14

of Agriculture as Forestry Agent, for investigating
the forest resources of our country, but was not per-
mitted to enter on the work, for the Master called him
home.

Would that I could stop here, but while I am closing
this address there comes the sad announcement of the
death of our beloved young friend Henet B. Ellwangek,
son of our old and esteemed member, of Rochester,
N. Y. He was only thirty-three years of age, and was a
member of the time honored firm of Ellwanger & Barry,
but was widely known for his popular work on The
Rose, and for his careful classification of this queen
of flowers, and his enterprising experiments in its
hybridization. In the latter line of his studies he
had already opened a new era in America, giving
promise of equal or greater success with that attained
by the most experienced masters of the old world.
His book established his reputation both at home
and abroad, and his late article on Old and New
Hoses, in the Century Magazine, added still further
to it.

Mr. Ellwanger had been a constant attendant at our
sessions for many years, and is well remembered as
reporting at our last meeting for his father, then in
Europe, on Foreign Fruits.

How mysterious this Providence ! It is only six
weeks, at this writing, since he was sitting by my side
and expressing the great interest which he felt in the
hybridization of the rose, and his hope that although

15

we may not be able to paint the lily, we may yet " add
perfume to the rose."

Mr. Ellwanger was of most amiable disposition and
courteous manners, and a christian gentleman, having
recently been invested with Deacon's Orders in the
Episcopal Church. His death is universally and deeply
deplored.

These and other friends have gone before us to that
better land where we trust they are now partaking of
fruits from the tree of life that perish not with their use.
Thus one after another of our associates is passing
away, and ere long all the founders of our Society will
have joined the countless millions of the departed, but
others will rise up and carry forward the designs which
have been formed for the promotion of our cause. But
let us not murmur or repine at the providence of God.
This is the order of nature, — this the lot of all sublu-
nary life —

Fruits have their time to ripen and fall,
Leaves have their time to wither and dry,
Man has his time to flourish and fade,
All must be cut by Time's ruthless blade.
But though the fruits of earth may all fail
And none be left to tell the sad tale,
Still there's a land of promise on high
Where fruits never fail, men never die.

16

Rules of Pomology.

I have the pleasure to announce that during the
present session, the Committee appointed at our last
meeting, to prepare a Code of Rules in regard to the
Nomenclature of Fruits, will present their report. This
I have examined carefully, and I desire to say that it
meets my entire approval, and I tender my sincere
thanks to the Hon. Mr. Lyon, its chairman, and his
associates, for the able and judicious manner in which
they have discharged their duty.

In former addresses, I have spoken to you of the
importance of the establishment of short, plain and
proper rules, to govern the nomenclature and descrip-
tion of our fruits, and of our duty in regard to it;
and I desire once more to enforce these opinions
on a subject which I deem of imperative import-
ance. Our Society has been foremost in the field
of reform in this work, but there is much yet to
be done. We should have a system of rules con-
sistent with our science, regulated by common sense,
and which shall avoid ostentatious, indecorous, inap-
propriate and superfluous names. Such a code 3'our
Committee have in hand, and I commend its adop-
tion. Let us have no more Generals, Colonels, or
Captains attached to the names of our fruits ; no more
Presidents, Governors or titled dignitaries; no more

17

Monarchs, Kings or Princes, no more Mammoths,
Giants or Tom Thumbs; no more Nonsuches, Seek-
no-furthers, Ne plus ultras, Hog-pens, Sheep-noses,
Big Bobs, Iron Clads, Legal Tenders, Sucker States,
or Stump-the-Worlds. Let us have no more long,
unpronounceable, irrelevant, high-flown, bombastic
names to our fruits, and, if possible, let us dispense with
the now confused terms of Belle, Beurre, Calebasse,
Doyenne, Pearmain, Pippin, Seedling, Beauty, Favo-
rite, and other like useless and improper titles to our
fruits. The cases are very few where a single word
will not form a better name for a fruit than two or more.
Thus shall we establish a standard worthy of imitation
by other nations, and I suggest that we ask the coopera-
tion of all pomological and horticultural societies, in
this and foreign countries, in carrying out this import-
ant reform.

As the first great national Pomological Society in
origin, the representative of the most extensive and
promising territory for fruit culture, of which we have
any knowledge, it became our duty to lead in this good
work. Let us continue it, and give to the world a
system of nomenclature for our fruits which shall be
worthy of the Society and the country, — a system
pure and plain in its diction, pertinent and proper in
its application, and which shall be an example, not
only for fruits, but for other products of the earth, and
save our Society and the nation from the disgrace of
unmeaning, pretentious and nonsensical names, to the

18

most perfect, useful and beautiful productions of the
soil the world has ever known.

Every year brings additional proof and confirmation
of our predictions in regard to the wonderful progress
and facilities for fruit culture in this western hemis-
phere. This impresses me more and more strongly
with the duty of giving a right direction to one of the
most important sanitary and benevolent industries of
our land, and, as far as possible, controlling the recom-
mendation of the host of new fruits, of little merit, which
are being constantly brought to notice ; and while com-
mending and disseminating all good varieties, let us, if
possible, restrain the flooding of our country with those
of inferior quality and little value. Let us use our
utmost exertions to discourage and restrain the outra-
geous deceptions, which every returning season brings,
by new fruits sent forth with the highest praises, as if
superior to anything before known, but which in a few
seasons are found no better than many old kinds, if as
good. The plea of ignorance cannot be urged in
extenuation of such practices, while the means of infor-
mation are as accessible as they are now. Such decep-
tions no honest or honorable man would practise.

19

Pkoduction of New Fruits.

It is now more than thirty years since I first called
the attention of this Society to the great importance of
producing fruit from seed, in order to originate and
obtain such varieties as might be adapted to the varied
climate and sections of our ever-increasing and immense
territory. And now, again, in fulfilment of my promise
never to cease doing so, I beg to ratify and enforce
what I have said in my former addresses.

It has lono; been known that varieties raised on our
own soils, and in our own localities, are generally better
suited to our various regions than those from foreign
lands, and although we have some varieties from
abroad of great excellence and wide adaptation, there
are, comparatively, only a few out of the thousands of
foreign kinds which we have proved in the last fifty
years, that now remain in general cultivation. This
fact is now generally acknowledged, and hence thou-
sands of our pomologists are engaged in this most
interesting, beautiful and praiseworthy employment of
raising American kinds. Formerly the accessions to
our catalogue were from the Old World ; now they are
mostly of American origin, and so it will continue to
be in future time. These are benefactions not only to
our country, but the world. He that originates a new
and valuable fruit, suited to general cultivation, is as

20

much a benefactor of mankind as he who discovers a
new principle in science which increases the comfort
and happiness of our race.

Natural fertilization, as I have told you before,
unaided by the hand of man, is as old as creation, but
the knowledge of manual fertilization, the ability of
man to assist nature in the process of improvement,
seems to have been mostly withheld from us until the
present age. Wonderful is this fact, but it is not more
so than the unlimited extent to which it may be carried
by the genius and sagacity of him who would cooperate
with nature in this enchantino; labor.

Strange, indeed, that this art should have been held
in suspense for so many ages, not until our own
time to be brought into practical use. But, thanks to
the Disposer of all temporal concerns, it has now come
as the harbinger of a progress which is to revolutionize
and improve the fruits of the earth while time shall
last. Thanks, too, to Knight, Herbert, Lindley, Darwin,
Gray, and other teachers of later time, for the lessons
of wisdom, which have encouraged us to prosecute this
most noble work.

The process of fecundation was known far back
in the centuries of the past, but not for the pro-
duction of new and improved varieties of plants.
From the days of Pliny, to the present time, the
custom of suspending the blossoms of the date palm
over the trusses of the fruit-bearing trees, was known
to be necessary for the production of fruit. So Tourne-

21

fort and Linnaeus understood the sexual order of
plants ; but we have no facts to show, so far as I know,
that either of these writers had a knowledge that the
crossing of different species and varieties would produce
from the seed a new variety which would possess in a
greater or less degree the characteristics of the parent
plants, and it is doubtful whether Duhamel, Van Mons,
or Noisette, was acquainted with this wonderful art
for the indefinite improvement of our fruits.

This is the art that doth help nature, and great as
has been the progress in our time, it is but as the dawn
of that day when every section of our varied climes
shall be furnished with products of the earth as well
adapted to each as the people who inhabit them. How
grand the acquisitions of this art in our own day ! It is
only about fifty years since Mr. Hovey, myself, or other
cultivators of our country, attempted the hybridization
of fruits or flowers. Now the knowledge of this art is
as well understood as the cultivation of the soil. These
are th3 means provided by an all-wise Providence for
the improvement of our fruits. Would that Prince,
Downing, Brinckle, and those other pioneers who have
gone before us, could now witness the amazing advances
which have resulted from their labors in this cause.
0 that I could live to participate a little longer in the
glorious harvest which is to be gathered from the
influence of this art in improving the fruits of our land.
These are benefactions which you will leave for the
generations that are to follow you — memorials of

22

your love of nature, of home and kindred, which
shall live in the hearts of grateful millions, long after
you shall have been sleeping in the dust.

Thus have I spoken for a long course of years of the
importance of this branch of our duty. Thus would I
preach while life shall last. ''''Plant the most mature
and perfect seeds of the most hardy, vigorous and val-
uable varieties, and as a shorter process, insuring more
certain and happy results, cross and hybridize our finest
kinds for still greater excellence." And should my
muse be able to reach you from the spirit land, she
would, as with telephonic voice, still chant in your
ears the same old song, —

Plant the best seeds of every good fruit,
Good fruits to raise, some lands to suit ;
Fruits which shall live, their bounties to shed,
On millions of souls, when you shall be dead.
These are creations that do the world good.
Treasures and pleasures, with health in your food;
Pleasures which leave in the mem'ry no sting,
No grief on the soul, no stain on Time's wing.

23

Importance of the Society.

With the establishment of the American Pomologi-
cal Society, a new era dawned on the science of fruit
culture on this continent. The spirit that animated
Van Mons, Knight, Noisette, Esperen, Bivort, and other
savants of Europe, reached our shore and spread its
benign influence across our continent; and wherever
the school, the church, or the foot of American civ-
ilization has found a home, there our fruit-culture has
been seen to follow as the handmaid of refinement,
health and domestic comfort. This enterprise has
now awakened a zeal through our borders which was
never before known in the annals of pomological sci-
ence. Strange, indeed, that it should be left for us of
this new world to establish the first great National
Society for its promotion — a society which embraces in
its organization the largest area, and the most varied
climate and soil of the globe, where almost all fruits
may be grown with success.

The progress of fruit culture in our land is indeed
wonderful. To encourage this by a cordial spirit of
intercourse, to elicit and disseminate correct informa-
tion in regard to the fruits of our vast territory, and to
direct, control and advance this most important branch
of terraculture, were the objects in view; and thus to
establish a pomology for America which shall endure

24

long after its founders shall have passed from the
earth.

Few are aware of the powerful influences which this
association has exerted and is exercising on the po-
mology of our country. Its organization covers our
entire continent, and its importance and usefulness is
everywhere, both at home and abroad, highly appre-
ciated and acknowledged. No event in the history of
pomological science during the present century has
been fraught with such beneficent results as those
which have transpired since the founding of our asso-
ciation. This institution, now in the thirty-fifth year
of its existence, embracing as it does official represen-
tatives of the best experience from every section of
our immense domain, all working in harmony to carry
out our work to higher and higher degrees of improve-
ment, has assumed proportions which are not only
national but continental, and embraces in its organiza-
tion the largest territory and the most wonderful facili-
ties for fruit culture on the globe.

Other societies for the promotion of pomology have
been formed and are powerful adjuncts — other soci-
eties will rise up to aid us in the future, but the Amer-
ican Pomological Society will continue to be, as it has
been in the past, the acknowledged authority of po-
mology for this western hemisphere.

So may it be, so may it spread its benign influences
over our whole continent, until every man, woman and
child shall participate in its enjoyments, and all realize
the blessings of paradise regained on earth.

25

With a territory unequalled in extent and in variety
of soil and climate for the growth of fruits, our
Society naturally became the leader and conservator of
this great mterest on this continent. And thus, in
the order of Providence, it has been the herald, the
protector and almoner of one of the most important
departments of our industries. Nor is this all : Its
example and its formula of business proceedings and
catalogue of fruits, have been adopted not only by our
American societies but by the nations of the old world.
Well and worthily has it fulfilled the design of its
founders. Long may it live to carry on and perfect its
glorious mission.

Such, gentlemen, is the magnitude of our associa-
tion, and on you and those who are to succeed you,
depends the great duty of fostering and perpetuating it
through the generations of all coming time.

Protect, peeserye and perpetuate it, and your
names shall be enrolled as benefactors of our land and
of mankind !