The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-11-04

cussions on fruit and flower raising, are also
urged as subjects demanding the attention
of the Society. The report concludes with
a review Of the financial condition of the
Society, and an appeal to people interested
in horticulture and pomology to respond
liberaily to the call for life members.
The report is an exceedingly able and in
teresting paper, abounding in useful infor-
nation. We regret our inability to publish
it in full.
Colonel John C. Shields offered series of
resolutions, recommending the adoption Of
the report, and appointing committee to
consider that portion of it which looks TO
the greater usefulness Of the Society. Also,
to take into consideration the propriety OF
reducing the price of life membership in
the Society. Also, that the Executive Com
mittee be empowered with full authority to
change the Constitution and Bylaws Of
the Society in any particular which they
may deem necessary to the permanent ad-
vantage of the Society, and the promotion
of the objects for which it was instituted.
The resolutions were taken up seriatim and
adopted.
Rev. Leonidas Rosser, D. D., was then
called to the stand to deliver the annual
address. --
He commenced his address by alluding to
the influence which the subject of horticul-
ture has recently taken on the public mind.
Man was, from the early days of Adam,
bound to the earth, and the love of nature
and her products is inherent in him. Horti-
culture lives at the base of mans develop
ment. Nature is faithful in her resources
and reproductions.
In the departments Of horticulture and
agriculture, we have reproductiyeness in
endless variety.
If nature hath her instincts Oh the one
hand and reproductiveness on the other,
what is mans work? First, lie would say
drainage-drainage below the soil; second
ly, deep ploughing; thirdly, heavy fertili-
zing. There is nota garden in Virginia
which has been brought up to its maximum
of production. We must no longer be
afraid of the expense Of fertilizers. Ma
ture's fertilizers have been used up. The
cereal crops have drained it off. He used
on his strawberry field fertilizer Of three
bushels salt, fifty bushels lime, and fifteen
bushels ashes; and for ten years he had
used no oJher-not bushel of barn-yard
manure. Another rule was, death to grass
and aoeeds. Be sure to keep the grass out.
Again. Rigid system, and lastly, co'-
and must have but courage, experience,
and science, will give us triumph in the
end.
THE FUTURE OF VIRGINIA.
In the first place, the war aroused in an
unparalleled manner deep interest in horti.
culture. Before that time no one here raised
strawberries, for instance, and so with all
other small fruits and now it is astonishing
and gratifying to see the result OF that inte-
rest. Our climate is temperate, and, in the
opinion of all, the best upon earth that,
with the soil, gives no opportunities which
we have never yet developed. One million
quarts of Strawberries have already been
engaged by one house in New York.
We need here q packing-house, and ii
should be located in this city; then hun
dreds of acres Of berries and small fruits
would be planted where one is now raised
There is more in the men than in the land
The young men Of our State with soft
hands and ring-fingered are useless; they
should turn their attention to the cultiya.
ton of the soil-and SO with the ladies,
Alas her only emblem now is the green
house plant Let them turn their attention
to horticulture, and her days Of usefulness
will begin.
Here the learned orator paid glowing
compliment to what, under these circum
stances, she would become. If we had Ill
of Virginia's men and women engaged IL
these pursuits we would again vie with the
noble ancestry from which we came.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
The election of officers was next held, an(
the old officers were reelected, Us follows
President-John M. Allan.
e-President-William H. Haxal.
Secretary-H. X. Ellyson.
Irreasurer-I. S. Tower.
Erecutiue ommittee-Colonel William
Gilham, Charles b. Williams, Joseph r
Rennie, Franklin Davis, Colonel j. c
Shields, Matthew Blair, DR.. 5. p. Moore
General J. D. Imboden, James I. johnson
Charles II. Dimmock.
The President then appointed the follow.
ing committee under the resolutions of Co
lionel Shields
Colonel j. C. Shields, Captain C. II. Dim
mock, and Mr. /. S. Tower.
The Society then adjourned.
The meeting then resolved itself into q
Joint meeting OF the two Societies, Major
Sutherin in the Chair. Hon. Horace Ca,
prom, from the Committee on Agriculture
in Washington, expressed his thanks for the
honor conferred upon him, but declined tc
speak.
Mr.. Hill Carter, of Charles City, being
called for, came to the stand, and said that
his first advice to young men was to select
good lands, and then to cultivate them well
but the main point was to know how to gel
good lands. In his experience the good
lands had to support the poor. The james
River lands are the best in the whole coun.
try. Success in agriculture depends on in.
dustry and economy. Chocolate lands with
4 sufficient ferrignious element in them are
the best.
MIR. Saunders, experimental gardener al
Washington, being called on, stated that his
business here at present was to make col
lection of Virginia fruits, and as to the capaci
ties of the State as a fruit-growing country,
many inquiries had been made in regard tC
it. He had recently remarked at pomo.
logical society that Virginia was a better
apple-growing State than New York.
He had been trying for long tims TO con.
vince the people of this country that the
grape required just such climate as i:
found on the eastern slope of the Blue
Ridge, in Nirginia-a long, warm, genia
summer. The wine grapes are in greater
perfection here than anywhere else in the
country.
Fungoid growth had been great draw
back in the raising of these vines, and the
lands on which the leaves do not mildeW
will be found near the first belt in youl
mountains.
General j. D. Imboden stated that there
was a club in New York-the "NeW York
Fruit-Growers Club"-one of whom Colo.
mel Williams) was in the room; and, being
called for, gave very interesting sketch Of
the Society.
His remarks were interesting and well
received.
Major Noland introduced DR.. Oliver, Of
England, who also made very interesting
address.
DR.. Antisell, of the Agricultural Bureau,
was also called on, and replied in practical
and interesting address.
Other gentlemen spoke, and the Society
adjourned.
THE REAPING MATCH.
During the day we learned that the award
of the judges on the trial of reapers and