not the means to gratify such tastes, still enjoy the flowers and the landscape. The horticultural and floral display at Philadelphia, during the centennial, was a grand one, and reflected great credit upon those having it in charge. No one who had an opportunity to witness it could do so without being benefited. In the year following, (1877,) we already noticed that some had gone to work, with good results. Have seen evidences of it in our grange grounds and surroundings. Much credit, also, is due our horticultural papers and periodicals. They are doing a good work, in disseminating horticultural knowledge, as well as elevating the public taste in that direction. They deserve a much more liberal support than a majority of them receive. Referred, also, to the flower missions that were organized in some of the cities, and the good they are accomplishing. Many cases of sickness and distress have been alleviated by bouquets or blooming plants. They cheer and encourage the sick and needy, both by their beauty and the evidence they give of a kindly interest on the part of others. Related an instance, where a family with an invalid child had been visited by a benevolent lady, who presented some flowers. At first she saw no evidence of neatness nor good housekeeping. Subsequent visits showed that, in order to benefit the flowers, the windows had been cleaned, and more light admitted. This, of course, was an advantage to the invalid also. It also showed the bad condition of the furniture, and induced the drunken father to make some repairs. This led him to remain with his family, instead of spending time and money in drinking. Thus, gradually, a once desolate home was made cheerful, and the general condition of the family much improved. But while horticultural displays, periodicals, and flower missions are doing much for horticultural education, we must look to our schools as the means of cultivating a general taste and knowledge of horticulture among the people. Let us introduce the study of horticulture into our common schools. Teachers might give instructions how to take care of house plants, and how to propogate them by seeds and cuttings. Exhibit injurious insects, and show how to destroy them. The elements of botany might be taught, and more advanced scholars could be taken to the fields and woods for practical instruction. Some would, from the beginning, show more interest in these branches than others, and they should be encouraged to go forward. Then the grounds adjoining our public school buildings should be made attractive by planting flowers and shrubbery. Such a course would have a beneficial influence upon the entire community. At the State college we have a flower garden, in which all have an opportunity of acquiring a practical knowledge of the care and cultivation of flowers. As a result of the growing taste for floral decoration, on the the part of the students, I might add, that I counted, lately, sixty-five windows in the front of the college buildings, in which plants or flowers were displayed. The institution is in need of green-houses, and other aids, to floriculture, which we do not yet possess. We will have young men at college, qualified to take charge of grounds, soon as we have the proper facilities. Committee on nominations submitted the following list of candidates for the several offices for the coming year: 36 AGRICULTURE. President. JOSIAH HOOPES. Vice Presidents. M. M. ENGLE, Recording Secretary. E. B. ENGLE. Corresponding Secretary. W. P. BRINTON. Treasurer. GEORGE B. THOMAS. Mr. SMALL, having declined a reëlection, Mr. A. R. Sprout's name was proposed. On motion, the list of officers was so amended, and elected as amended, by ballot, the Treasurer being authorized to cast the ballet for the society. Mr. CHARLES H. MILLER inquired whether the constitution of the Society permitted the election of but three Vice Presidents. Hoped there would be an opportunity of electing twenty-five instead of three. Thought a larger list of officers would have a good effect. Mr. ENGLE agreed with Mr. MILLER as to the propriety of having more Vice Presidents, at least. The American Pomological Society has one vice president for every State in the Union. Thought it would be well for this Society to have one for each county represented. Mr. MEEHAN considered the idea of having each county represented a good one, but thought the General Fruit Committee might be so constituted as to answer the same purpose. Mr. ENGLE hoped other members would express themselves on this subject. No final action could be taken by this meeting, as the constitution would require amendment. Submitted, therefore, the following amendment to the constitution for adoption at our next annual meeting: Resolved, That the constitution of this Society be so amended as to allow the election of one Vice President for each county represented in the Society. Mr. MEEHAN being called upon for remarks, responded briefly. Was much interested by the reading of the President's address. In reference to the proper fertilization of fruit blossoms, scientific men have recently come to our aid with the results of their observations. The theory that frequent failures of fruit crops occur through improper fertilization is now pretty generally set aside. It is known that a single flower produces sufficient pollen to fertilize an entire tree. Some varieties of flowers are known to fertilize and produce seed without opening at all. It was for a long time supposed that no pollen existed in these flowers, but from ten to twenty pollen grains are found in each, and with their aid, four to five hundred seeds are produced. Single apple blossoms are known to produce millions upon millions of pollen grains. When, therefore, apple trees, that bloom properly, fail to produce fruit, it may be for want of proper nutrition, so much fruit being set, that but a small portion of it can be brought to perfection. Was also much gratified by Mr. Calder's remarks. Sorry to say, that among the higher and educated class of people there is but little attention given to horticultural education. We see no trace of it in our public buildings. We see Chinese flowers and Egyptian water lillies, but no native flowers. In our school-houses, we see no trace of any material improvement. Evergreens and flowers might be planted, lawns laid out, and much done in this direction to make schools attractive. ance. Mr. ENGLE Considers this question of fertilization one of great importHas noticed some seasons that orchards fail entirely, while others, near by yield abundantly. Thinks Mr. Meehan's idea of deficient nutrition will explain such freaks. It seems, that although nature may do her part, there is something for man also to do, if he would succeed. Mr. LINT finds failures, not from improper setting of fruit, but by rains, heat, and insects. Has prospects of good crops until fruit is about the size of a walnut, when rains often set in, and drown the fruit, or hot weather gives insects an opportudity to destroy it. Mr. BALDERSTON, Maryland. If we take any plant or an apple graft, and set it in water, it will not grow. We destroy its vitality. If ground is saturated, so that a tree or plant is in stagnant water, it will soon die. Sometimes it drops its fruit to save its own life. Pear trees especially do this. It is well it is so, as some trees would soon die by over-bearing. Mr. SPROUT Considered this a subject of much interest. Has given it some attention, but never could satisfy himself as to the cause of early falling of fruit. Mr. SHOWERS would like to hear the opinions of members on the subject of cultivating orchards. For himself, thought it best not to cultivate much. In peach trees we are apt to get too close and destroy large roots. Would not advise sod. Mr. BALDERSTON has watched the effects of cultivation and non-cultivation pretty closely. When a small boy, his father had an orchard which was not cultivated, and produced no fruit. It was put in corn, cultivated freely, and produced good crops of fruit. Has now three orchards, sometimes one is in sod and the others cultivated. Has noticed that while they bloom equally, the cultivated orchard produces much finer fruit. As to the cutting of roots, in his opinion, trees have different kinds of roots. The feeders are small roots near the surface, while the main arteries are ten to fifteen inches under ground. Does not believe in indiscriminate plowing at any time, but judicious plowing at proper seasons. May be in error, but his views are substantiated by his experience. President HOOPES presented the following communication from Mr. J. A. Warder, of Ohio, inclosing memorial of a committee of the "American Nurserymens' Association," and resolutions of the Ohio State Horticultural Society, which were read by the Secretary: NORTH BEND, OHIO, January 7, 1878. JOSIAH HOOPES, Esquire, President Pennsylvania Fruit Growers' Society : DEAR SIR: I am rejoiced to see you have such a noble programme for your approaching meeting, and wish I could partake of the feast you propose to spread for the horticulturists who may meet at Williamsport, January 16. I am glad to see, also, that you vary the diet, change the mental food, as we have all done in the West, expanding the area of usefulness from the orchard confines to the broader fields of horticultural research. You pro pose, I see, to enter even the recesses of the woods, and to have a paper on "the forestry question," upon which Fuller light is to be shed, from the office of the brilliant luminary of the New York Sun. Good! I rejoice, and should rejoice to see and hear. You have also a strong committee on arboriculture. Now, with all this array, let your old western friend come in with a request that our forestry memorial be read, and perhaps you may find it in your hearts to indorse it strongly, by way of strengthening the spine of your delegates in Congress, to whom your resolutions can be sent. Such action is being had by our western societies, and it cannot fail to have a good effect. We are terribly ignorant of the whole matter of forestry, and we need instruction which could be furnished by a sensible hand-book, prepared by some practical man, who would thoroughly and industriously study the matter in Europe, and give us a sensible report of how they produce those beautiful and profitable forests, adapting the information to the wants of our country. What do you say? Truly, yours, WARDER. On motion of Mr. CALDER, the Secretary was ordered to transcribe the memorial, and send a copy to each member of Congress from our State. Mr. PARRY, of New Jersey, followed in an interesting and practical essay on NEWER SMALL FRUITS. Within the recollection of many of us, small fruits were not important in a commercial point of view. Strawberries grown in the garden, for family use, and the surplus carried to the nearest town, was about the extent of the trade, until the introduction of Hovey's seedling, in 1834, which gave a great impetus to the cultivation of strawberries, and many persons planted them largely. Still there were certain principles not generally understood, which were essential to produce the best results. Many patches, well manured and highly cultivated, would make a vigorous growth and bloom profusely, yet the pistils would not expand, the blossoms would wither and blast, producing but little fruit. The grower become discouraged, and conclude that raising strawberries was an uncertain business. But after the publications, in 1846, by Nicholas Longworth, of Cincinnati, of the sexual character of strawberries, and that it was necessary for the Hovey and other pistilate varieties to be accompanied with a portion of staminate plants, to impregnate them, to insure full crops of fruit, strawberries could be grown with as much certainty, and as plentifully, as other crops, and were sent to market by the wagon load, as peaches and apples had been before. The art of growing strawberries abundantly was still more simplified by the introduction of Wilson's Albany, a hermaphrodite plant, having blossoms perfect in both organs, and wonderfully productive, large size, firm flesh, turning red before ripe, would carry a long distance to market, and look well when exposed for sale, possessing, in an eminent degree, those qualities most desired by large growers, who must transport their berries a long distance to market; and thousands of acres are now cultivated, to produce the immense quantity of strawberries which are sent daily, in their season, hundreds of miles to the large cities, New York having received, in one day, more than ten thousand bushels; and in Philadelphia, in the height of the season, as many as two hundred bushels have been thrown in the dock, in a single day, for the want of purchasers, showing that the market can be overstocked with Wilson's Albany, which are not very palatable in the condition they are usually shipped to market from a distance. Captain Jack is a strong and luxuriant grower, healthy, and productive, berries large, handsome, and solid, somewhat resembling the Wilson, of which it is said to be a seedling, though better in quality, and increases more rapidly. The Charles Downing, Kentucky, and Monarch of the West have been tested over a wide range of country, and have generally given good satisfaction, being of excellent quality, large, and productive, carry well, and sell much better than Wilson's Albany. Prouty's Seedling, Forest Rose, and Sharpless are large, handsome berries, good quality, and very productive; and, as far as tested, are very satisfactory. Cumberland Triumph is a very large, handsome berry, uniform in shape, productive, and commands a ready sale, on account of its fine appearance and good quality. Seth Boyden is mammoth size, good quality, and valuable. Perhaps, no person has given more attention to the improvement of the strawberry by cross-fertilization, or whose efforts have been attended with greater success, than E. W. Durand, of New Jersey, who now has more than three thousand distinct varieties on his plantation, among which are to be found some of the largest and finest strawberries in cultivation, measuring from six to nine inches in circumference-such as Great American, Beauty, Pioneer, Black Defiance, Centennial, and other magnificent fruits, which are well worthy of trial in all sections of our country. The President Lincoln, a very large, firm, glossy fruit, said to have grown to the enormous size of eleven inches in circumference, on the grounds of the originator, should be allowed a wide range in other sections for expansion. Miner's Great Prolific gives promise of excellence, and should have further trial. Cheap Strawberries. The demand for strawberries of good quality has become so great, that the quantity sold will depend upon the price at which they can be furnished, and any good variety, of fair size, that can be grown in large quantities, without much labor or expense for manure and cultivation, will be of great value to the producer, who must first pay all expenses attending their cultivation and gathering for market, before any profit can be realized. The Crescent Seedling is a remarkable strawberry, more productive and more easily grown, with less expense than any other strawberry that we have seen. We were shown a plantation four years old, in fine condition, heavily laden with large, fine fruit, on which there had not been one dollar expended for manure or labor since the first year planted. The fruit is very uniform in size, between four and five inches around, of a bright scarlet color, beautiful, firm, attractive, and excellent quality; carries well, and sells better than other strawberries; ripening several days earlier than Wilson's Albany, and holds out longer, leaving a green foliage at last. The plants are strong, vigorous growers, taking possession of the ground, and holding the situation for many years, to the exclusion of weeds and grass. Having fruited it the past season, we have not seen any leaf blight, while other varieties were badly burnt with the hot sun. It must become |