The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-01-30
HORTICULTURISTS.
PARTICULARS REGARDING THE GRAND
EXCURSION OF THE AMERICAN
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Their Session in Austin and Probable
Excursion About the State-Dr. John
Clark Ridpath to Be Here.

The following is from the Southern
horticultural Journal of Denison:
The ninth regular meeting of the
American Horticultural society will be
held in the hall of representatives in
the Capitol building, in the city of
Austin, Texas, beginning at 10 o'clock
a. m, on Monday, the 18th day of
February, 1890, and continuing in
session four or five days. Members of
the society and horticulturists gener-
ally are invited to attend this impor-
tant meeting, which bids fair to excel
all its predecessors in general interest.
WHY THE SOCIETY MEETS IN TEXAS.
At the close of the great California
meeting of this society it was decided
to hold this meeting in Texas, because
of the many cordial invitations pre-
scented by members who were present
from Texas, and the many other writ
ten invitations from the governor of
the Lone Star State and numerous
prominent citizens and officials; and
because of the widely diversified inter
est represented in her vast territory
and varied soils and products, which
we desired to see and investigate for
ourselves. For these reasons we think
that all who attend this meeting will
pe gratified with its results and we'll
repaid for time and expense in doing so.
PLAN OF THE MEETING.
1t is not expected that the society
will be able to complete its business
sessions in less than five days. 1t is,
therefore, arranged to open the exer-
clses at 10 o'clock q. M, on Monday,
the 18th, and to continue in session
until Friday, the 21st, after which it is
expected that we will spend week or
ten days as guests of the people of
Texas, who will entertain us after q
plan of their own.
The above is but part of Secretary
Ragan's announcement of general pro-
gramme of the excursion to the meet
ing-all we have space for in this is
sue; as it was received too late to pub
fish all. To answer in general way,
and all at once, the many inquiries
rom the different places wishing to
entertain the excursionists while in
the state, we suggest the following
outlined route:
AS the executive board of the So
ciety, after arranging for the meeting
and transportation to and return
from Austin for visitors from outside
of the state, leave the citizens of Texas
to further entertain the excursionists
after plan of their own" for q week
or ten days after February 81, the
closing days ofa the meeting, it is
suggested that San Antonio first in.
vite the excursionists there to what
ever entertainment it may arrange fol-
one day, and to secure for the excur-
sion the most favorable Transports
ton from Austin to San Antonio.
That Houston and Galveston like
wise arrange for the excursion from
San Antonio to these cities.
That Waco, Fort Worth, Denison,
Dallas and Tyler successfully in the
order named, provide whatever they
choose for the visitors.
If the railways of the route outlined
will do the nice thing, as did those in
California two years ago, for the so
ciety, they will devote a special train
to the work and send special exclusion
conductors. But the cities giving the
entertainments will have to do their
part toward securing transportation
accommodations.
AS the excursion comes in by way
of the Iron Mountain route and pro-
ceeds direct to Austin through Pales-
tine, that city may induce very short
stop there by at once writing Secretary
VIII. Raglan, Greencastle, Ind, and the
managers of the excursion.
The above is merely suggestive and
not fixed arrangement. Everything
after the meeting must be worked out
by the cities visited themselves.
DR.. John Clark Ridpath, well
known historian, will accompany the
National Horticultural society in
their visit to Austin. He is, besides,
a most interesting lecturer and will
lecture here, and in addition to the
lecture will write sketch of the trip
as he did of the California excursion
entitled, Beyond the Sierras." DR.
Ridpath has national reputation land
to hear him lecture will be q treat
not often enjoyed in Austin. OF his
Beyond the Sierras," the Green
castle. Illinois, Banner publishes a
letter from Mr.. James Newton Mat
thews, popular poet of Illinois, in
which he says: ~ have just been
reading Beyond the Sierras.' 1t is 9
most remarkably well written work
even surprising Bayard Taylor in it,
elegance of diction and its scope o
scholarly characteristics. That poem
embraced in it, entitled 'fhe Mirage
in Death Valley is unspeakabl,
beautiful-almost as fine as Keati
ode to Grecian Urn"