Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-09-16
cincinnati uortieul,urol society,

Cincinnati Horticultural Society,
The Society met at the usual hour, Presi-
dent Gerard in the Chair.
a large variety of fine specimens of fruit
were presented and reported on by the Com
mittee.
Mr.. James H. Walker exhibited several
clusters of grapes brought from Delaware
County, Pennsylvania. They we're of the
White Hill, Hamburg and White Sevion
varieties; and one of the latter was said to
weigh two and half pounds. They were
especially commended by the Committee
and others.
General NJ. S. Wade remarked that ali his
fruit was imperfect this season, which he
accounted for by two days of cold succeeded
by wet weather. He spoke particularly with
reference to his pears, of which he cultivated
siXty-siX varieties.
Mr.. Pearson read a communication from
Daniel Gano in reference to the early his
tory OF horticulture in the Miami Valley. AS
one of the oldest horticulturists of this vicin-
ity, though unable to attend the meetings of
the Society, he had been greatly interested
! by reading their published proceedings, and
considered that il had done great good by
! encouraging the raising of the best varieties
/ of fruit, vegetables, &C., for which Cincin-
natl had now become justly celebrated.
The first meeting held to consider the pro-
! pTiety of organizing the Society was in the
house of Robert Buchanan-long promi-
nent member, and the first President-on the
18th OF February, lS43, at which eleven per-
sons were present. Prior to this, however,
the Hamilton County Agricultural Society
had fostered agriculture and horticulture in
! the county.
On the 2sth of April, 1927, the meeting at
| which officers of the Society were first
elected, fifteen persons were present. On the
9TH of July, of the same year, forty. five new
members were enrolled. In 1928, at an cleo
ton of officers, one hundred and FIVE men,
bers were present, and on the 9th of Sep
| tembeT, 1882, the Society consisted of four
hundred and thirty four members. A paper,
called the Western IILleT was commenced by
| W. J. Ferris on the Goth of August, 1928 1t
was afterward changed to the quarto form
for greater convenience in publishing, and
at last failed from lack of support. Another
Agricultural paper called the Farmer and
Mechanic, was afterward started by DR.. D. @.
Wallace. The first Agricultural exhibition
was, held in Hutchinson's old tavern stand /;
great variety of fruits and vegetables were
on exhibition and the society was addressed
from time to time by General Harrison,
Judge Este, +. W. Thomas, s. F. Carey, and
others. ... ~
Mr.. Charles Reemelin being present, ad-
dressed the Society upon the subject of
Vital Forces in Plants" He replied to
papers that had been previously read in the
Society, especially the one signed "Novice,"
in which the position was assumed that
electricity is the vital or motive power in
plant growth" Mr.. Reemelin coutended
that no greater error than this could be pro
mulgated on the subject. AS far al
chemistry can unfold or the senses perceive
there is no one such force, but it is rather 6
conjunction of forces cooperating to pro
duce the result. Electricity is only one Of
the four sisters, of which light, heat and
magnetism are the others. An extract from
Liebig was read in support Of this view
This attempt to find one general principle
upon which the growth of plants depend!
was the cause of retarding science by direct
ing efforts in one direction, when they shoulC
have wider scope. The speaker illustrated
and enforced this view at length, the objec
being to dispel illusions of the past ages, anC
pave the way for exact knowledge.
Mr.. Graham explained his views on tn
subject, showing that in his previous re
marks on the subject he had not differet
materially from the gentleman who had jus
spoken.
Mr. Mosher related an experiment wit
cabbage seed sown in two different earthel
vessels, one of which was permeated will
, electricity from battery, while th
other was left in its natural state
/ Seeds in the former appeared in forty-eigt
/. hours, while in the latter they wei
: fourteen days in coming up, there being
:. difference between the two Of twelve day
n By the time the latter had sprang up the 10
mer plants had four leaves.
Mr.. Reemelin remarked that the same e.
e pertinent with cold and warm air would brI
! about the same result, and the same won
e be the case with any of the motive powe
:: mentioned This did not, therefore, disprov
= but rather proved, his proposition. The 81
ciety adjourned.