Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-02-07
PROCEEDINGS OF THE HORTI-
CULTURAL SOCIETY.


PROCEEDINGS OF THE HORTI-
CULTURAL SOCIETY.
The Independence Horticultural Society
convened in regular session at the office
of Lee & Weart, on Tuesday evening,
the 4th inst, President Bouck in the
Chair
The great storm having interfered with
the annual meeting for the election of Of.
ficcrs, which would otherwise have been
held ON the It'll of January, it was decided
to listen to reports and proceed to the
election Of officers for the current year.
The Secretary presented his annual re.
port, as follows, to.wit:
To the Officers and Members Of tile hide
pendence horticultural Society,":
GENTLEMEN:-In compliance with the
provisions of the Constitution of this
Society, respectfully submit the follow
ing report for the year 1872:
The organization of the Society was
| completed February 18TH 1872 Since
that time eleven regular meetings have
been held. In addition to the considcra
ton Of miscellaneous subjects, embracing
Horticulture, arboriculture, gardening and
| pomology, the Society has more or less
thoroughly discussed the special topics OF
''small fruits" "the currant-its enemies
and remedies" early gardening" 'the
sweet potato" garden insects" and
| grapes"
| The present membership numbers fif
teen.
During the year one of our most high.
ly esteemed members, Rev. j, NJ. Boggs,
has been removed by the hand OF
death.
The finances of the Society are in n
| flourishing condition. The whole amount
received during the year was $l5
Amount of bills paid, SLIGO No bills
| pending. Amount now in the treasury,
Sl34o. This happy condition of our
| finances is due largely to the courtesy OF
Capt ID. S. Lee, in furnishing room,
free Of expense, for our meetings.
While on the one hand, number OF
unforeseen circumstances have conspired
to interrupt repeatedly the regular occur
! renee of our meetings, and to discourage
| even the most enthusiastic of our mem
hers, yet on the other, it cannot be de-
MED that sufficient good has already been
accomplished to fully justify the effort
made to establish horticultural society
! which should meet the wants Of the PEG
pie of our county. Valuable experiences
have been rchearscd and important con-
illusions reached If these experiences
/ have not been heard nor these conclu-
sions known by the great mass Of those
in our county who are more or less in
tcrcsted in horticulture, it is only because
they have not taken the pains 20 be
present at our meetings. Certainly our
invitations have not been wanting in
heartiness or sincerity Like nearly all
similar organizations, in their incipient
stages, we have been struggling against
the apathy of those whose interests
should induce them to lend us an active
support. Every person in Buchanan
County who possesses a garden or pro
poses to plant bed of Strawberries, a
row of currant or raspberry bushes, 4
grape vine, or fruit or shade tree, is
certainly interested in knowing what va
rielies will succeed best in our soil and
climate and what methods of culture will
insure the best results. Experience alone
can give us the desired information. The
great object of our Society is to gather
in, compare and digest this experience in
order to make an available and reliable
guide for future operations, as well as to
awaken more general interest in all
horticultural work. While we have but
just entered upon the threshold of our
work. we have already reached cOnclu-
siOns with regard to the value Of many
varieties of fruits-mOre especially, OF
small fruits--for cultivation in our coun-
ty, which cannot fail to be Of importance,
even to those who only desire to raise a
supply for their own tables. IL has
seemed desirable to briefly incorporate
some Of these conclusions with the re-
port, as follows:
Most desirable for general cultivation
Concord, Eumclan, Hartford Prolific,
Rogers Hybrids Nos 4 and 5, and Gin
ton. Diana, Catawba, Della.
ware, Isabella.
STRAWBERRIES.
Most uniformly successful-Wilsons
Albany, Russell, Frcnch's Seeding and
Green Prolific. Observation-Disclosures
alist, Jucnnda. Tri0mph de Gand and
Jennings White. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.,
Brooklyn Scarlet. Golden Seeded, Fill
more.
RAsPBEREIES.
Successful J. Mammoth Cluster Doolit
tic, Davison's Thornless, Seneca and Phil
adclphia Observation-Disclosures Cane.
ELACKBERRIEs.
Uniform failure Better results hoped
| for.
CURRANTs
Best varieties -Rcd Dutch, White
Dutch, Victoria, White Grape and Black
| Naples.
Most succcssful-Early Richmond and
MorcllO.
These conclusions are derived from tn.
actual experience Of members and are
consequently valuable rs guide to those
who desire to raise the fruits named
either for market or family use. 1t can
not be denied that results of this kim
are of great value not only to our owl
members, but to the public at large
Let us hope, then, that as a society W.
may be actively sustained in our effort:
to build up live and efficient organiza
ton. J. L. LooMIs
Jan. Z. 1873. Secretary.
The report was on motion accepted
and ordered printed.