The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1920-05-07


the Florida Horticultural Society in
Ocala the past week if not the most
was one OF the most-pleasant in its
history.
The citrus industry, now grown to
such splendid proportions, had its
birth in our county, and the Horticul-
tuTal Society had its birth in our city,
so the meeting here this week was in
the nature of homecoming, and
the many words so fifty spoken in
praise of our city, and the progressive
spirits who were living here at that
time, fell upon our senses like apples
of gold illuminated in pictures Of sill.
YER"
The history of the Florida Horticul-
tural Society is closely interviewer
with the history of the citrus industry
of the state. The society has not only
had large part in the development
cf the industry, but has been largely
istrumental in saving the industry
when threatened with total annihila-
tion by the freeze of 1895 and the cit
rus canker of 1913
Today the society and the industry
are in more flourishing condition
than ever before and its future is
wonderfully bright.
As expansive as has been its growth
il is believed that the idustry is yet
in its infancy and that like so many
other industries in it's byproducts will
lie its greatest riches and achieve
ments.
II was pointed OF. n the opening
meeting that by reason Of the research
and expei tents and information corr
piled ty TIE Horticultural Society the
entire citrus inGnstry is now safe
guarded as aever cescre
The issitiai nyossam was Ha0stly of
historical nature and the papers
read were delightfully."- written and
were listened to with intense interest.
On the stage of the auditorium were
the only two living members of the
original band of eighteen men who
met in the Ocala House on, April 10,
1888, and organized the Florida Hof-
ticultural Society, viz: Mr.. George
L. Taber, of Glen ST. Mary and Mr.. L.
w. Lipsey, Of Blanton.
Besides Messrs, Taber and Lipsey
quite a number of others who have
been members of the society for
twenty-five years or more, occupied
seats on the platform, viz:
Mr. A. H. Brown, of Manatee; Mr..
Ellis G. Blake, of Lake Helen; Mr..
s. H. Gaitskill, of Mcintosh; Mr.. w. S.
Hart, of Hawks Park; Mr. j. p. Mace,
of Lake Helen, Prof. and Mrs. P. II.
Rolls, of Gainesville; Mr.. II. B. Stew
ems, of DeLand; Mr.. E. L. Wartman.
of Citra; Mr.. Trusten P. Drake, Of
Ocala; Mr. s. c. Warner. of East Pa
latka; Capt r, e. Rose, of Tallahas-
see; Mr.. II. G. Hastings, of Atlanta,
ad Mr.. A. G. Hamlin, of DeLand.
AS the members and others entered
the auditorium the opening night each
was presented with souvenir which
had been prepared by the local COM
mittee on arrangements for the con-
ventiOn. The souvenir is an attrac-
tive booklet giving "A Brief History
of the Citrus Industry Of Marion coun-
ty, Florida" written by Mr.. e. l..
Wartman, of Citra, at the committees
request.
Mrs. B. F. Condor with "a number of
delightful piano solos entertained the
members as they gathered.
The meeting was called to order by
President H. Harold Hume, Rev. ]. ].
Neighbor offeerd the opening prayer.
Mayor Robert L. Anderson, Jr., then
made an address welcoming the mem
bers of the Society back to their birth
place. This address was responded to
by Mr.. B. L. Manner, of Valrieo. Mrs.
Leveret E. Futch then delighted the
convention with song, accompanied
by Mrs. John H Taylor. The presi-
dents address followed, which out
lined the development of the Hor.
ticulture of the state. The keynote of
the evening was given by Mr.. George
L. Taber in his address: "The Flor
ida State Horticultural Society,"
Bit of History Talks were made by
Prof P. H. Rolls, Of Gaiesville, H. G.
Hastings OF Atlanta, Ell Wartmann,
of Citra and L. w. Lipsey, of Blanton.
Brief but most beautiful and touch
ing tributes were paid to the little
band of original organizers and those
who first engaged in the industry
which has since done SO much towards
peopling and .enriching the state,