The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-01-17

Tke State horticultural Society
Southern Pines, N. c., January 10.
Editor Messenger:
The recent meeting of this society
lat Southern Pines was conceded by all
present TO nave been of unusual inter-
| est. The people of the state cannot be
lgeneraHy aware of the seminentiy prac-
l~ticaland; Instructive character .of.the pa
pers read land discussions held at these
meetings cor they would come in such
crowds that it would take a much lar
ger town than Southern Pines to ac-
! cornodate them.
Among those present from various
| portions OF. the state who are prominent
as horticulturists or otherwise and
| who contributed greatly to the success
of the meeting were the president, j.
Van Lindley, of Greensboro who for
| years has SO faithfully watched over
the interests and presided over the
meetings Of the society, and who with
all the other officers, was reelected;
Professor Massey, horticulturist of the
| Agricultural and Mechanical college
and experiment station at Raleigh;
Professor Brown, hOrticulturist OF the
State Normal college at Greensboro
and the efficient secretary Of the So
ciety; Captain Rhodes, of Raleigh;
DR.. B. Won Herr, of New York, Mayor
P. H. Beck, of Southern Pines, the Hon.
Mr.. Coiner, of Virginia. Captain Cam
eron, of Southern Pines, and others
whose names the writer does not now
recall.
The first session was held on Friday
morning January 9th in one of the par
lors of the Piney Woods ian, which
was generously placed at the disposal
of the society. The morning was spent
in listening to the able address Of the
president; a most interesting talk on
Apples and Apple Culture, Varieties
etc." by professor Massey and others;
reports of officers and routine business;
discussions On ensilage; the curing Of
peavine hay. a splendid specimen Of
which was shown by the president, and
other interesting and appropriate top
les. 1t was the universally expressed
opinion that state aid ought to be given
to the society for the publication of
it's valuable reports and papers and the
various undertakings which it is so
successfully carrying forward, and
which, though of the utmost value to
the commonwealth and the world, are
now supported entirely by the contri-
buttons of those who are interested in
the society's work.
The afternoon was most probably
spent in a visit to the experiment farm
which is conducted under the auspices
of the society. The practical object
lessons here given in the results of
various systems of fertilization were
noted with the deepest interest.
At night the society occupied the
parlors of the Ozone house. The dis
cussion Of fruit topics was continued
and others, after which very interest
ing papers were read on "Strawberry
Culture" by Mr.. Blackwell, of Kittrell;
on Fruit Packing" by w. l.. Baxter,
Of Ridgeway, and on Some Precious
Elements" by Professor Norman Rob-
inson, formerly state chemist Of Flor
| ida.
On the following morning the society
held it's closing session in the parlors
of the Ozone house. The subject of
fruit growing was then taken up more
in detail and the best varieties and
methods of culture in the case of apples
peaches, pears, plums, grapes and
small fruits were successfully consid-
cred. Interesting papers were also
read by the secretary, Professor Brown,
| of Greensboro, on Fruit Growing In
| dustry in This Portion of the State"
In the discussions, high transportation
rates were not forgotten and a strong
committee was appointed to confer with
the railroad authorities ON the subject.
The discussion of insect enemies
brought out the fact that some new
legislation was required for the efficient
execution of the present laws and it
was the unanimous opinion of all pres
ent that a competent eutomologist
Ishould be employed by the state with
full power to enforce the present sta
tutes. A strong committee was APP
pointed to urge this matter upon the
immediate attention of the legislature
now in session.
Thus closed what in the opinion of
those present was one of the most
pleasant and profitable meetings the
| society ever has held. r.