The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1890-07-18
STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The State Horticultural Society
came and has gone and those visitors
who expected to see and hear Benton
County pomologists were sadly disap'
pointed. Our people no doubt are in
terested in horticulture but their inter
est is of the silent absent kind.
When the society comes again there
will undoubtedly be little more en-
thusiasm manifested! Perhaps our
friends who are just setting out these
large (!) orchards of prunes, peaches,
etc.. could learn nothing at such a
meeting. Such being the case they are
indeed fortunate. Yet, even then it is
their duty to lend helping hand to
those poor ignorant and deluded NOR
tails not so fortunate, but, who, despite
their ignorance and uncouthness are
intensely interested in our horticul-
tural prospects both state and national.
The best part of all such meetings
lies in the discussions. The papers
are mere outlines. AS such the ones
offered at the late meeting certainly
furnished material enough for profit
able discussion as was evidenced by
the afternoon and morning sessions.
The hue and cry against this organ
ization has been that it WAS purely
local. This can no longer be said to
be the case. The society held meet
ing in this city for the purpose of en-
listing our people in its work to the
end that it might become state in fact
as we'll as in name. How many did
they enlist? Six. A marvellous good
showing for county like Benton and
even a city like Corvallis! The ada
cent county also cannot claim very
much credit for taking an active part
in the work.
True there is no immediate prospect
for the return of tangible interest on
the dollar invested IN memberships.
yet when we become aware of the fact
that this insures lis copy of the
report of the workings of the society
for year there seems to he little room
left for doubt that good interest will
be forthcoming on the investment.
A careful perusal of the society's
constitution and bylaws will show it
to be broad gauge organization
which will, when its membership be-
comes larger and more generally dis
tributed over the state be factor of
prime importance in our leading state
interest-horticultu
This is re-eminently fruit state
our native fruits only too well attest
this. We should take advantage of
natures gifts and turn our attention
more generally to the development of
our fruit trees, shrubs and vines.
There is only one organization in our
stauc in which the requisite amount Of
preliminary discussion and informa tion
can be had and that is the State Hor-
ticultura' Society. In it are men who
have grown gray and aged in the work
on our new coast. Is their experience
and counsel of no use to our Younger
planters? Not that young blood is not
competent to meet the needs of the
hour but the results of these previous
years work of men enthusiastic in the
labor is not to be counted of no avail
to our modern methods. Then again
there is strength and wisdom in wide
discussion. If any one doubts the de-
gree of uncertainty and ignorance that
exists regarding the most common
methods of culture, growth, insect
and fungous pests, let him attend one
of these meetings and stand the fire o.
queries. But it is not necessary to join
the organization in order to manifest
an interest i'll the work. The general
public of Our city took decided interest
in the matter at the evening session
but where were the fruit growers and
gardeners during the day session.
1t is to be hoped that when the
society holds another meeting in the
upper Willamette the fruit growers
will give it a more generous reception.