Tfiirty-Sixtli A^iiMil Report Of the Nebraska Stale Herticiiitural Soeiety I^S. 4ie-4«&- L.M. RUSSELL '(i»'i^mmfiymv^m6mmf'i!^^<^>»>'i!>^Mmmwm'f<^^^^^^^ Thirty-Sixth Annual Report OP THE NEBRASKA State Horticultural Society Containing all the Proceedings of the Summer Meeting Held at Aurora, July 28 and 29, 1904, and the Annual Meeting Held at Lincoln, Jan- uary 17, 18 and 19, 1905. LIBI^ARY NEW YORK «OTANICAL By L. M. RUSSELL, Secretary Lincoln, Nebraska LINCOLN, NEB. PUBLISHED BY THE STATE 1905 / n-o LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. To His Excellency, John H. Mickey, Governor of Nebraska: Sir : In compliance with legal requisition, the annual report of the Nebraska State Horticultural Society for the year 1905, with accompanying papers, is respectfully submitted. L. M. Russell, Secretary Nebraska State Ho7'ticultural Society. Lincoln, August 1, 1905. CONTENTS. Letter of transmittal. Officers. Standing committees. Membership list. Constitution. By-Laws. Proceedings Summer meeting. Proceedings Annual meeting. Fruit districts. Secretary's report. Treasurer's report. Index. OFFICERS. President G. S. Christy, Johnson First Vice-President H. S. Harrison, York Second Vice-President E. M. Pollard, Nehawka Secretary • L. M. Russell, Lincoln Treasurer Peter Youngers, Geneva DIRECTORS. Chas. L. Saunders Omaha W. G. Swan Tecumseh C. H. Green Fremont STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE SOCIETY. SYNONYMS. E. M. Pollard, Nehawka, A. J. Brown, Geneva, C. H. Barnard, Table Rock. METEOROLOGY. Prof. G. D. Sweezy, Lincoln. ENTOMOLOGY AND ORNITHOLOGY. Prof. L. Bruner, Lincoln. VISITING COMMITTEE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA EXPERIMENT STATION. E. F. Stephens, Crete. GEOLOGY. Prof. E. H. Barbour, Lincoln. FORESTY. Prof. E. T. Hartley, Lincoln. VEGETABLE CULTURE. Prof. R. A. Emerson, Lincoln. ORNAMENTAL GARDENING. J. H. Hadkinson, Omaha. LEGISLATION. Peter Youngers, Geneva, L. C. Chapin, Lincoln, C. H. Barnard, Table Rock. MEMBERSHIP LIST. \\ MEMBERSHIP LIST. HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS. *Budd, J. L Ames, Iowa Brackett, B. B Denmark, Iowa Bruner, L Lincoln CampbeU, G. W Delaware, Ohio Crounse, Lorenzo Fort Calhoun Earle, P Ocean Springs, Mississippi Garfield, C. W Grand Rapids, Michigan Van Deman, H. E Parksley, Virginia ACTIVE LIFE MEMBERS. Albert, U. G Normal Aldrich, Benton. ' Johnson Aldrich, Karl Johnson Alexander, G. W Julian Allen, Geo. L. Spicer, Oregon Atkinson, J. E Pawnee City Barnard, C. H Table Rock Beltzer, L. A. Osceola Bessey, Charles E. Lincoln Blystone, W.J Lincoln Bowers, W. B. Post Office Unknown Brown, A. J Geneva Brown, Frank P, Florence Brown, J. L. Kearney Bruning, W. H Cedar Bluffs Camp, Charles B Cheney Card, F. W Kingston, R. I. Carpenter, G. J Grand Junction Colo. Chapin, H. A Lincoln Chapin, L. C Lincoln Chowins, Chas. E. Lincoln Christy, G. S Johnson Christy, S. W Brownville ♦Deceased 12 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Colvin, W. E. Post Office Unknown Coppoc, J. L. Chambers Corbin, E. E. .^ Grand Island *Craig, Hiram Fort Calhoun Crist, J. W Box 761, Lincoln Cross, T. B Lincoln Damrow, Chas. F : Post Office Unknown Davey, R. H. i Omaha Davidson, J. R Aurora Davies, Wm. Brownville Davis, W. H FuUerton De France, C. Q. Lincoln Deweber, H. N. Pawnee City Dillon, J. W Greeley, Colo. Dole, E. W Beatrice Dunkin, J. M Ravenna Dugan, John Papillion Dunlap, N. C. Kearney Dunlap, J. P Dwight Emerson, R. A. Lincoln Erfling, E. C. 1150 Sherman Ave., Omaha Floth, Paul Omaha Fox, B. C. - : Lincoln Fredenburg, B Johnson Frey, C. H i ; - Lincoln Frey, H. H : Lincoln *Furnas, R. W. Brownville Gage, J. A Beatrice Gaiser, A Friend Galbraith, G. B. Fairbury Godfrey, A. S. Lincoln Green, Charles H. Fremont Grennell, E. N Fort Calhoun Gurney, C. W. Yankton, S. D. Hadkinson, J. H. Omaha Hale, C; A. University Place Harris, W. R. Forest Grove, Oregon Harris, W. T. Blackfoot, Idaho Harrison, C. S York ♦Deceased MEMBERSHIP LIST. 13 Harrison, H. S York Harrison, W. A York Hartley, E.T jj^^^ H®^th'H.E ; Omaha Helin, J. F 1612Farnam St., Omaha Henderson, Lewis Omaha Hess, Jacob Omaha Hesser, W. J. Pasadena, California Hogg, J. A Ly^g Hurlburt, C. M Fairbury Jackson, T. C Purdum Jenkins, W.F Arcadia Kent, H. J Box 961, Lincoln Keyser, Val Lincoln Langdan, J. N Seward Leonard, I. N gan Jose, Cal. Link, Harvey MiUard Loughry, James Geneva MarshaU, G. A Arlington Marshall, C. C Arlington Marshall, H. W. Arlington Marshall, C. G Arlington Field, B. E Fremont Field, R. B Fremont Masters, J. H Syracuse Masters, J. W Lincoln Martin, F. R 4622 Boulevard Ave., Omaha McComb, H. A Lincoln Mcintosh, H. F Alda Meek, John UnadiUa Meek, James UnadiUa Mergen, Phillip Omaha Morsch, C. H Greeley Center Mosher, D. C Colorado City, Colo. Mosher, P. C Kearney Murphey, P. A .'. Exeter Neff, J. G ...Davey Nemechek, Paul Humboldt Nownes, Charles Papillion 14 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Parker, C. B. Brock Paulson, Paul Omaha Perin, L. W. Lincoln Perry, T. H Elk Creek Peterson, Frank Post Office Unknown Peterson, John Omaha Pollard, E. M Nehawka. Pollard, Isaac Nehawka Randell, J. C. :. Hamburg, la. Reed, M. H Blue Springs Reed, Mrs.' J. H. Blue Springs Riley, Alfred Greeley, Colo. Roberts, B. A Albion Russell, J. M. Lincoln Russell, L. M. Lincoln Russell, Don. L Lincoln Russell, Dale ; Lincoln Sandoz, Jules A Colclesser Saunders, Chas. L 211 S. 18th St., Omaha, Schamp, L. D Lincoln Schumacher, A , York Slayton, Geo. A 192 HiUsdale St., Hillsdale, Mich. Smith, H. C , ....^ FaUs City Smith, H. L Geneva Smith, O. F .' Blackfoot, Idaho Smith, E. E. Lincoln Stephens, E. F Crete Stephens, Frank G Crete Stevenson, J. W North Bend Stilson, L. D ; York Stouffer, B. R Bellevue Strand, G. A Minden Swan, W. G. _ Tecumseh Swezey, G. D Lincoln Tanahill, Wm Post Office Unknown Taylor, Fredrick W St. Louis, Mo. Tiffany, M. D Lincoln Titus, G. N Nemaha City Van Metre; C. M Valentine MEMBERSHIP LIST. 15 Walker, J. W Crete Warren, G. P Harvard Wheeler, D. H Omaha Whitford, C. A Arlington Williams, Theodore .....Benson Wilson, W. H Post Office Unknown Woods, A. P Washington, D. C. Yager, J. A Fremont Youngers, Peter, Jr. Geneva HONORARY ANNUAL, MEMBERS. Green, Prof. Sam'l B. University of Minnesota Jackson, J. P Glenwood, Iowa Welsh, E. S. Shenandoah, Iowa ANNUAL MEMBERS. Anderson, A. N Shickley Denny, P. E Lincoln Howard, T. M Scotts Bluff lury, E. G Tecumseh Watts, James R. P. D. 5 Lincoln Williams, John Tecumseh 16 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. CONSTITUTION. Article I. Name. This association shall be known as the Nebraska State Horticultural Society. Article II. Object. This society shall have for its object the promotion of pomology, arborculture, floriculture, and gardening. Article III. Membership. The membership of this society shall consist of four classes, viz., active, associate, annual hon- orary, and life honorary. The active membership shall consist of persons practically engaged in fruit culture, forestry, flori- culture, or gardening, who shall be admitted to life membership on the payment of a fee of $5 at one time; to associate member- ship, by the payment of a fee of $1 annually. The honorary members shall consist of such persons as may be elected at any meeting of the Society by a two-thirds vote of the members present, and shall have all the privileges and benefits of the Society except those of voting and holding office, which privi- leges shall belong exclusively to active members. Article IV. 0,fficers. The officers of this society shall be a president, first and second vice-presidents, secretary, treas- urer, and board of directors of eight members, said board con- sisting of the officers enumerated in this article and three ad- ditional members. These officers shall be elected by ballot at the annual meeting of the society in January, and the term of office shall be for one year, commencing on the first day of June following. Article V. Duties of President. It shall be the duty of the president to preside at all meetings of the society, appoint all committees not otherwise provided for, countersign all orders drawn on the treasurer by the secretary; in conjunction with the secretary he shall arrange all programs for the meet- ings of the society, and perform such other duties as the society or board of directors may require. Article VI. Duties of Vice-Presidents. The vice-presi- dents shall superintend all exhibits of the society, and in case CONSTITUTION. ]^7 of vacancy in the office of president at any meeting of the society or board of directors, shall perform all the functions of that office in the order of their rank. Article VII. Duties of Secretary. The secretary shaU keep an accurate record of the proceedings of all meetings of the society and board of directors, draw all warrants on the treasurer, and keep an accurate record of the same as counter- signed by the president, prepare for publication and edit all reports of the society requiring publication by the statutes of the state; in conjunction with the president prepare all pro- grams and make all other necessary arrangements for all meet- ings of the society. Article VIII. Duties of Treasurer. The treasurer shaU be the custodian of aU moneys belonging to the society, and shall pay from such funds all warrants drawn on him by the secretary and countersigned by the president. Article IX. Duties of Board of Directors. The board of directors shall have general management of aU the affairs of the society, for which no specific directors are otherwise provided in the constitution and by-laws. Article X. Bonds of Officers. The president and secretary shall each give a bond in the sum of $5,000, and the treasurer in the sum of $12,000 for the proper performance of his duties, which bond must be approved by the board of directors. Article XI. Salaries of Officers. The president, vice- president, treasurer, and members of the board of directors shall receive such per diem pay for their services in attendance upon the meetings of the society as the society or board of di- rectors may from time to time determine. The secretary shall receive an annual salary of $500. Article XII. Reports of Officers. The president, secre- tary and treasurer shall each present an annual report in writ- ing at the January meeting of all the business matters pertain- ing to their respective offices during the annual term expiring at that time. Article XIII. Meetings. The society shaU hold two or more meetings each year. The annual meeting shaU be held in Lincoln on the first Tuesday after the second Monday in Jan- 18 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. uary, as provided by statute, and the other meetings shaU be held at the same time and place as the annual exhibition of the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture. Article XIV. By-Laws. By-laws not in conflict with the provisions of this constitution may be enacted by the society at any regular meeting. Article XV. Amendments. This constitution may be amended at January meetings of the society by a two-thirds vote of the members present, such amendment having been presented in writing and read before the society at a session preceding the one in which the vote is taken. BY-LAWS. 1. All the officers of this society shall be elected at the Jan- uary meeting. 2. All officers of this society shall assume the duties of their respective offices on the first day of June following their elec- tion, and continue in office for the period of one year, or until their successors are elected and qualified. 3. The officers elected at the January meeting, 1895, shall hold their respective offices until the first day of June, 1896. 4. The amount allowed the secretary for express, postage, and stationery shall not exceed $150 per annum,, and it shall be the duty of the board of directors to employ a competent sten- ographer to report the proceedings of the meetings of the society, whose fees shall be paid by the society. 5. The first business of the society shall be on each morning the reading of the minutes of the previous day's proceedings, and submitting the same to the approval of the meeting. 6. There shall be elected at each winter meeting nine district directors, one from each horticultural district in the state. Also a standing committee of three on synonyms. Also a standing committee of one in each of the following: Meteorology in its relation to Horticulture, Entomology, Orni- thology, Geology, Forestry, Vegetable Culture, and Ornamental Gardening. 7. These by-laws may be amended at any general meeting of the society by a majority of the members present. PROCEEDINGS. Proceedings of the Summer meeting of the Nebraska State Horticultural Society, held at Aurora, July 28 and 29, 1904. PROCEEDINGS. 21 SUMMER MEETING PROCEEDINGS. The Summer meeting of the Nebraska State Horticultural Society convened at the Court House, Aurora, Hamilton county, Nebraska, on Thursday, July 28, 1904, at 9 o'clock a. m. with President G. S. Christy in the chair. Following is a copy of the program carried out : PROGRAM. Thursday, July 28th, 9:00 a. m. Invocation. Music. Address of Welcome Mayor Joseph Neptune Response Rev. C. S. Harrison Greeting W. W. Tatum, Pres. Columbian Club 2:00 P. M. Music. Address, "Value of Horticultural Education" Hon. E. von PoreU, Regent University Address, "How I Grow Cherries" Prank Harris Paper, "A Trip Through the Southern Orchards" Peter Younger s Paper, "Apple Scab and Cedar Rust" Prof. R. A. Emerson, State University 8:00 P. M. Music Philharmonic Orchestra Music Wood Bros. Quartette Solo Mrs. J. G. Alden Recitation Miss Allie Manning Paper, "Fruit for the Home" G. A. Marshall 22 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Music : Philharmonic Orchestra Music Wood Bros. Quartette FRffiAY, July 29th, 9:00 a. m. Music. Paper, "Orcharding in South-Eastern Nebraska" T. E. Snodgrass Address, "Fruit Raising" J. R. Davidson Paper, "Hardy Ornamentals" ...., Rev. C. S. Harrison Paper, "Commercial Orcharding in Central and Western Nebraska" E. F. Stephens 2:00 P. M. Music. Paper, "Diseases of Fruit Trees" Val. Keyser Address, "Gardening in Aurora" H. G. Cass Paper, "Strawberries for Home Use" G. S. Christy 8:00 P. M. Music Philharmonic Orchestra Music Wood Bros. Quartette Paper, "Roses" C. H. Green Music, Solo Mrs. C. A. Jones Recitation Miss Cecil Baldwin Paper. Music ;... Philharmonic Orchestra Music Wood Bros. Quartette Parties having flowers and fruit are requested to bring them and make a good display. Everybody welcome. THEPRESroENT: The time has come for the opening of our Summer meeting of the State Horticultural Society. We will first have an invocation by Rev. John Gallagher, of Aurora. INVOCATION. Oh God, our Heavenly Father, Thou art the author of every good and perfect gift. And at this time, as we meet together, we would return unto Thee our thanks for the bounties of Thy providence. We bless Thee that Thou hast made the grass to grow and the herbs to bring forth their seed and the fruit trees to bear fruit. We thank Thee for the early and plenty of rain. We bless Thee for the bounteous harvest fields and for the PROCEEDINGS. 23 orchards laden with fruit. We do thank Thee that Thou hast blessed us and placed us in such a world as this; that there are so many things to make us happy and comfortable. And we thank Thee that Thou hast put before us the opportunity of im- proving in all things. And we have come together in this session for the purpose of interchange of thought, for mutual improvement, to gather unto ourselves the hel^DS that will enable us better to do our work in life. We thank Thee, our Father, for this interest, and we pray that Thou will be in these sessions from beginning to close. Oh grant, our Father, that there may come to us thoughts that will do us good, and we may gain an inspiration, and as we see what has been done by effort, may it be an incentive to us to put forth our energies in stronger effort that we may do greater good in the future than we have in the past. Bless us now, help us to honor Thee in all the things that we enjoy, and when Thou art done with us, re- ceive us unto your Jesus Christ. Amen. The President: The address of welcome was to be given by Mayor Neptune, but he is out of the city and necessarily de- tained, and so we will have the pleasure of listening to Mr. F. A. Bald, who will give us the address: Mr. Chairman, Members of the Nebraska Horticultural Society, Ladies and Gentlemen: The development of Nebraska has been along rapid but well defined lines. Our people have never been slow to take up and put in force the large numbers of new and useful improvements that speak for the advancement of our state. There are few men and women who, having lived in this locaUty for any length of time, are unable to look back and re- call the day when Nebraska was in a far more primitive con- dition than it is at present. Why Nebraska has outgeneraled all other states along this line has often been presented to me in the nature of a query; and, i^pon reflection, the only possible reason that can be as- signed is, that our people are of broad mind and keen intellect. They readily see an opportunity to elevate and have no feeling of hesitancy in forming opinions and expressing beUef s concern- ing any subject or matter that may be presented for contro- versy. This broadness of mind, this keenness of intellect and this 24 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. freedom from all personal restraint are the qualities which, above all others, are essential to the industrial growth of our nation. As a farming community our state is second to none, and a short drive along any of our country roads is sufficient to con- vince any reasonable mind that our assertion is not without foundation. Development along agricultural lines has probably been more rapid during the past few years than at any time prior thereto, and we are compelled to look upon the farmer in a true light and realize that he is the mightiest factor in the development of our state and the upbuilding of the nation. But before we proceed further it will not be inconsistent to look for a few moments at the earlier history of this region. Its invasion by white men was unlike that of the lake region. Our first explorers came from the south and long antedates the arrival of explorers in what is commonly known as the north- west. Although Nebraska forms the geographical center of the United States, the phenomenon of settlement and civiliza- tion has made it appear far to the west; and when one first glances at the history of this region without first preparing ones mind for the truth, it is reasonable to expect to trace the march of civilization either from the early settlements in the east, or from the early highways which furnished passage alike to the devout missionary and the avaricious seeker after gold. But modern research dispels the obscuring mists which for centuries have hidden from view the fact that the southwestern and middle portions of the United States were visited by white men nearly a century before commercial relations were estab- lished with the Indians of Wisconsin, and while yet the "great water to the west" was known to those eastern tribes merely as a matter of tradition. We are apt to look upon Nebraska as a young state. Young in its geological formation, young in its political existence, and young in its historical records. For descriptions of its soil, its climate, its production or its inhabitants, few are compelled to look farther back than the beginning of the present century, and its pubhshed memorials prior to the advent of the French PROCEEDINGS. 25 traders and trappers have been considered too meager as a basis for any exact account. But hidden away in the lumber rooms of wealthy Spanish and French families, and piled on the shelves of national libraries in Paris, Madrid and Mexico are hosts of letters, journals and reports, "which are gradually emerging from their seclusion and undergoing the scrutiny of acute and practical eyes. The documents edited by M. Margry and published by the United States Government in the year 1882, throw a flood of light upon early French discoveries and explorations in the west. And when the vast libraries of all the nations that took part in these adventurous travels shall give up their dead treas- ures, we have reason to hope that we will be able to add many years to the authentic history of our state. I have recently read an article which presented sufficient reason for us to believe that — fourscore years before the Pil- grims landed on the venerable coast of Massachusetts; sixty- eight years before Hudson discovered the ancient and beautiful river which still bears his name; sixty-six years before John Smith, with his cockney colonists, sailed up the summer stream which they named after James I of England, and commenced the settlement of what was afterward to be Virginia; twenty- three years before Shakespeare was born; while Queen Eliza- beth was a little girl and Charles V sat upon the united throne of Germany and Spain, Nebraska was discovered; the peculi- arities of her soil and cHmate noted, her fruits and productions described, and her animals and inhabitants depicted. We catch our earlier glimpses of this region from one who had enlisted in the service of God instead of the service of mammon. There was found about thirty years ago in the archives of St. Mary's college, in Montreal, the identical map which Father Marquette prepared of his voyage down the Mississippi, executed by his own hand, and bearing all the marks of authenticity. Upon this map, drawn in the year 1673, appears the territory which now forms the state of Ne- braska. The general course of the Missouri is given to a point far north of this lattitude; the, Platte river is laid down in almost its exact position, and among the Indian tribes which he enumerates as scattered about this region we find such 26 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. names as the Pawnees, Omahas and Otoes. It is not without a thrill of interest that a Nebraskan can look upon the frail and discolored parchment upon which for the first time in the history of the world these words were written. But let us return to the development of our state. We are prone to view with a feeling of regret the thought that our ad- vancement will not, in the future, be as rapid as it has been in the past. Prima facie this is the case, but in reality our feel ing of regret is utterly without foundation. If the world of agriculture has been conquered, why not look for more worlds to conquer instead of becoming indolent and reclining on flowery beds of ease. In the year 1885, as I understand it, occurred the first meeting of the Nebraska State Horticultural Society. Since that time our interest in the growing and pro- duction of various kinds of fruit has greatly increased, until we are at present in a position to look for rapid development along Horticultural lines. That development, when once begun, may reasonably be expected to increase and continue for a great period of time, and the interest of Nebraskans in Nebraska will never have cause to wane. If we are true to our duty we can make our state in Horticulture what it has been as regards our school systems, the greatest state in our nation. For if we judge the various states in the scale of a ladder, we see among the topmost such names as Iowa; but far above them aU, and upon the topmost round, is Nebraska, and from that round there floats a penant, upon which is inscribed in letters of non- perishable gold, the greatest motto a state can have, "Equality before the Law." It is with a feehng of mingled pride and pleasure that we welcome you to our city. Our earnest hope is that before this meeting shall close there shall be much good accomplished, that you who are present will carry back to those who were unable to attend, our feelings of sincerest friendship, that in some manner the good done here will go abroad, that it will cause our sister states to look to Nebraska and say, there is a people, just and fearless, whose interest in life is the edification of man, the development of their state, and the upbuilding of our nation. [Applause.] PROCEEDINGS. 27 The PREsroENT : Our response by Rev. C. S. Harrison is next on the program, but he is sick this morning. However, it is with great pleasure I am able to call upon a gentleman who is a son of one of our charter members, one of the best known men in the state, ex-Governor Saunders, Charles L. Saunders, who will give the response. RESPONSE. Mr. Charles L. Saunders: 3Ir. President, Members of the State Horticultural Society, Gentlemen from Aurora, and Ladies and Gentlemen: I am sorry the substitute for Mr. Harrison cannot address you in the brilliant language that the gentleman before me has done. I can only say that I wish I might be able to express myself as I feel the society desires to thank the citizens of Aurora for this entertainment. This is a beautiful place to meet in, and I know that we shall derive a great deal of good from our meet- ing in this part of the state. It is particularly pleasing to me, for I have been a resident of Nebraska all my life, and one of my earliest recollections is that this part of the state was on the prairie, and no one ever dreamed that it would be the garden it is today, or that we would be out here talking about horticulture. I desire to say in behalf of the society, that it is an institution for the people; that it has an appropriation of $2,500, $1,000 of which shall go as premiums for the exhibit of fruit and flow- ers. That it brings together the representative workers in the field of agriculture, and that it has its stated meetings, one of which must be held in Lincoln, at the capital, in January of each year, where we are put in touch with the scientific developments of the University, and at these meetings all of the results from the hard work occur, and the experiments of the horticulturists are brought before the people. It is at these meetings that the discussions bring out the results of labor. Having known twenty years ago what we know today through these experiments, Nebraska would be far in advance of what it is today in its horticulture and its agriculture. And I believe that there is nothing that tends more to the development of our state than the horticultural societies of the state. We have divided the state into districts and receive reports, from the 28 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. managers of each of the districts. Our chmate is varied, our soil is varied, and it is through these reports that the citizens are able to determine w^hat variety of fruit is best adapted, and at the meetings when these papers are read w^hat is particularly in- teresting to me is the questions asked by the members, the informal discussions, the things that we never would expect to find in a written report, and I am probably as much of a kinder- garten student in horticulture as any you may have in the society and interested in it; but it does me good, and I have learned more in my attendance upon these meetings than all the read- ing I have done, or been able to do. We have divided this state into experimental stations, I be- lieve seven, from Hay Springs and Mindenand over intothebetter settled portions. In these divisions the society furnish us a competent man with material, that he may determine for his dis- trict what is adapted to as a suitable product. And it is these re- ports and the discussions of them that make time for the citizen. Because it is impossible to raise in certain portions under certain conditions the same fruit that may be in others, and it is through the work and the soil, and money spent in this way that the citizens in that vicinity may go to work and reap their rewards from the first. If we had had the same know ledge twenty years ago of what might be done, that would be done to- day, and this all been brought about by the work and the meetings and discussions, we would have done away with a great many evils. In many instances we have orchards that were put out under theold systems that were brought down from the New England states. We don 't have to deal with that at pre- sent. We are dealing with our own ideas and experiments. I want to say that this society was started backin 1871 by a few of the old time citizens, I believe seven. Gov. Furnas, Mr. Martin, Mr. Masters and Judge Mason, Mr. Dahlman, Mr. Eldridge and my good father, Gov. Saunders. The society at that time was entirely a volunteer gift to the people. There was no appro- priation. The meetings were among those who were interested solely because they believed in the future growth of the state. During those years, these meetings were held in connection with the agricultural society, and what little we had to report was print- PROCEEDINGS. 29 ed in a pamplet from the agricultural society. But in about 1885 the society was divorced and begun to publish its own re- ports, and since then it has been on its own resources, and I believe there is nothing that has gained better results to the citizens than the reports and workings of this society. I am a great believer in horticulture. I believe in having the fruit furnished in our midst. Every farmer should have his own orchards. I believe it is to the health of the community. I be- leive that where you find a good horticultural region that the doctors suffer. I want to say I am very sorry Mr. Harrison is not here. He is an old timer. I know he could have given this subject so much better that I regret that he is not here. I can say for the society that we appreciate what is here from the citizens of Aurora. We are surprised at their beautiful buildings and surrounding country, and we will try to make them believe that some of their citizens will receive benefit from our good advice. (Applause.) The President: We would like to have a few words of greeting from Mr. W. W. Tatum, President of the Columbian Club of Aurora. GREETING. Mr. W. W. Tatum : Mr. President, Members of the State Horti- cultural Society, Ladies and Gentlemen: I have been led to believe that no one is allowed to speak here by proxy. Had I known the truth I would have gotten my brother Bald to speak for me. They limit me to two minutes; they thought I would get wound up. Nevertheless, I am glad to greet you this morning. It looks as if you were well off. I should judge from your looks you were fed on peaches and cream. I am especially glad to extend an invitation to this association to our club room to an enjoyable time while sojourning in our city. Our club is also a social club, and each member has been appointed a committee of one to give you any courtesy in their power, and we hope you will take advantage of this opportunity; The subject of horticulture is 30 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. very near to the heart of the average person, but as to its relative merits, of the different fruits commercially, or their production, I will leave it to those who are prepared to discuss it. Again, I would extend to you a very cordial welcome, and a, very jcordial invitation to the club room at any time, and the room is as free to you as it is to any menber (Applause). Mr. Marshall: One thing ought to be thought of, and that is the fruit districts which Mr. Saunders spoke of. The state is divided into nine fruit districts; I believe formerly, it was divid- ed into six districts some years ago, when the districts were considered too large. At that time the state was again divided, making nine districts. And now we fully realize that the districts are too large. I believe the state ought to be divided into twenty or twentyfive, and it seems to me it would be a good time to discuss this matter now, and if thought advisable, have the chairman appoint a committee to take this matter up, and report on it at the annual meeting. But if we never take it up we will never get it divided. I believe the old members real- ize that it should be divided into smaller districts. There is Mr. Youngers at Geneva, and Mr. Swan, who lives at Tecumseh, I believe are in the same district. No. 1. Thus, we can take the same list of fruit that Mr. Swan wants to grow at Tecumseh, and that which the president (Mr. Christy) would want to grow in Nemaha county, and if we ask Mr. Youngers if that was a good fruit for his district, he should say no. That is the reason we make these districts. I believe it would be well to consider them at this time and see if it is not possible to divide them up into 20 or 25 districts. The eastern part of the state certainly needs to be divided into smaller districts. And in order to get this question properly before the house, I will make a motion that the chair be authorized to appoint a committee to investigate the matter of dividing the districts again, or readjusting them. Mr. Youngers: I think it would be well to appoint a com- mittee of 10, which should be well scattered. I think the com- mittee should be at least 10 in number. I know the larger you get the committee the more unwieldy it is to get together to do business, yet at the same time I think it ought to cover at least that many. I think it would be well to let the chairman appoint that committee, and let the secretary send out this informa- VALUE OF HORTICULTURAL EDUCATION. 31 tion that we expect them to do some work in their district, and come to the winter meeting prepared to help divide the state properly. I think that is the best way we can get good results. Mr. Marshall: With the consent of the second I will in- clude that in the motion, that the committee be composed of nine. Motion adopted. The chair stated that he would announce the members of the committee at a later time. Meeting took recess to 2 P. M. SECOND SESSION. Thursday, July 28th, 2:00 p. m. The President : I will announce the names of the Committee on Redistricting the State, as follows : 1. G. A. Marshall, Chairman. 2. G. A. Strand. 3. A. J. Brown. 4. C. H. Barnard. 5. W. G. Swan. 6. G. N. Titus. 7. E. F. Stephens. 8. H. S. Harrison. 9. W. F. Jenkins. The first thing on the program this afternoon will be an address, VALUE OF HORTICULTURAL EDUCATION. BY HON. E. VON FORRELL, REGENT UNIVERSITY. Mr. Forrell: Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: "The value of horticultural education." Now, I am going to make the best speech that has been made, or that is going to be made, during this meeting, if you cut out George Marshall and Pete Youngers, and am going to begin now. We aU recognize the value of agricultural education in the common schools, and for all persons. You will appreciate the value of horticultural education more as you see what it does. 32 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. for the home, and for the people of the west especially, in cren- eral. The question first arises, when should it be taught, and the answer would be, very early in life. If we take the nature of the child and the things the child naturally desires, you will find the child giving attention, first, to action and location. For instance the tree that is grown does not appeal to the child only momentarily. But the little child will plant a seed and watch the development as it grows; and the corn stalk would appeal more to the child than the tree that grows slowly. After a while the child begins to give attention to form; and then after that, to color, and so on. Tliese things come to the child naturaUy early in hfe. It has been said that the child is a born naturahst, and I beheve the saying is true, for it is an unusual thing for a child to be inattentive to the things that they see about them. The little child wishes to plant twigs. Nothing interests the child more than the plant- ing of seed and the watching of these seeds as they grow, and as they develop. It is this time in hfe when the child ought to be taught these things, but too frequently we discourage these by giving no attention to it ourselves, and thus discouraging the child because of our own lack of interest. For instance, if the little child takes an interest in the growing twig in the yard, and if that is in the way just a little, why we cut it off. Tlie little fellow may cry and carry on a little while, but we don't care much about that. It didn't suit us; we didn't want it there, and therefore, we don't care what Johnnie or Susie might think about it. The twig is cut off ruthlessly. It takes just a httle of this kind of action to discourage the little boy or girl either. If they have a httle box in which they plant some seeds and watch them growing, as children oft do, and gladly do it, we are thoughtless about helping to protect it, or giving it no attention whatever, soon teaches the child that these things are of httle consequence, and that as they grow older they win naturally discard these things. But if we would take an interest in these things the child would continue also to take an interest, and that interest would develop until the results would be horticulturists of no mean capabilities. Tlie question of where it should be taught, it seems to me, would be easily answered from what has been said. I know VALUE OF HORTICULTURAL EDUCATION. 33 the colleges are making preparations for this kind of instruc- tion. In fact, many of them have made very extensive prepara- tions to teach the young men and also the young women who will matriculate in the institutions of learning. But it seems to me in that we are wrong; not in equipping our colleges for this line of education, but waiting until they reach that age, be- cause they have passed the period in life when they take an in- tense interest in these things. For instance, the child, by nature, likes this; she likes the plants, likes to see the insects and watch them. They like to see the birds. They take an interest in the things that have motion and that are active, and in the plants first that show a degree of growth that is rapid; that they can see the changes that take place. So the little child by nature likes to watch the bud, if it is only a brief time, until that bud developes into a full blown flower. That is the nature of the child— the natural child; the unnatural child is the one who has grown up to manhood or womanhood and gives but a passing notice to these things. And it is because they have been trained to it because they don't like it. Now the truth is, we give a good deal of attention to mathematics when the child is small. Tliey must learn to count the combination of numbers; learn to compute early in life. That is the first thing in life. The three R's was the first thing that must be given the child. Now it seems to me that when the child is young in years and wishes to handle bugs and living things, either in plant or animal life, we ought to give most attention to the development of these things which are natural to the child; but instead of that we give the child abstract things, and the child deals with abstract propositions. Now after a while we reach that age of the child when we wish to reason from the known to the unknown. We wish to study philosophy, chemistry and such sciences as that, and we take an interest in geology possibly, and all that. Now when they have reached that age of development, when they naturally take hold of these sciences, we say to them, you must go back and study plants, must study insects, and so we give them college names, and we say you will study botony and plant structure; you will study entomology and biology and those sciences that the child by nature is prepared in early life to 34 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. study. It does not require a man whose locks are silvered to know a f?reat deal about the bugs, animals and plants, but the child's desires to know these things. Take a four-year-old child, or five-year-old child, and at this time just stimulate the interest that is already awake; at this time you develope those instincts that are alive in the child, and after a while you will find that he is fond of nature, a man who lives close to nature. It does not make him the less of a mathematician. It does not dwarf his instincts for phylosophical research, but it makes him a better philosopher, a better mathematician. He knows more about these things simply because they have come in their logical order. He is not bound, dwarfed and stunted upon physical things, not at all, but when he has reached the age when these studies should be considered, he will take hold of them readily and they will unfold in their natural order. We have reversed the thing. We have taught them mathe- matics and phylosophy. Tried to stimulate the instincts of men and women in things already lost; we tried to bring them back to that day when they might again enjoy to wander in the grass and look at the leaves on the trees and watch the insects as they crawl in the grass, and observe nature's things. We have reversed the order and therefore have incapacitated men from their childhood from the highest usefulness that they might have obtained because of this reverse in the natural order of things. But the college is doing a great deal in this line, and so the societies are doing a great deal in this line. I used to think if I bought a lot and I was permitted to build, and ever had money enough to build a house, I used to think I wanted an east front, a southeast corner best of all. I have changed my mind. I think I would rather have a west front and have the shade in the back yard in the afternoon. The term horticulture means, hortus— garden, and cultra— culture, to cultivate, from which we get this word. It means cultiva- tion of garden hterally, while agriculture means the cultivation of a field, and gives us an impression of a larger service. At least horticulture has the idea of a cultivation of the garden. I think if we live more in our back yards than on the front porches we would be a more domestic and better people. I think a nice lawn is beautiful. There is nothing in that seclu- VALUE OF HORTICULTURAL EDUCATION. 35 sion, there is nothing of that domestic relationship that seems to be suggested by the standard backyard, and so I think I would hke in the evening, when the sun is set in the west, to take the family in the backyard and there have the trees that I planted there, and the flowers that have been growing there, and the arbor that has been fixed there, and all that one might enjoy, all the pleasing things one could enjoy. I think I would rather have my backyard in the best place I could find. Why should we try to imitate the bleakness of our prairies in an at- tempt to beautify our homes? I think a httle more shrubbery and those things cultivated in the backyard make it the most pleasant place to spend your evenings with your family. The arrangement of things might be reversed from the conventional idea for a pleasant home. The value of this education too would satisfy the youth and make him feel more at home in its surroundings. While horti- culture is generally attributed to the man who is growing fruit, and is becoming to incorporate the individual who is growing the fruit for commercial purposes, it also appeals to the indi- vidual who lives in the cities and towns, where the cultivation of flowers and plants is the consideration. And it is valuable because it developes the aesthetic and finer sensibilities of the individual. I think for a man who comes home from the busi- ness of the day, when his mind has been kept occupied with the deahngs of the counting room or in any different business he might be engaged in, when he comes home and sits among lots of flowers and shrubs and trees and plants that are growing about him, it seems to be a rest. It will recreate him and make him prepared and fitted for another day's work. Now it is well understood, it is certainly well known, that man's rest has much to do with his honesty; that a man must have the proper kind of recreation in order that he might live right with his fellow men. It is said that from eight to twelve hours is neces- sary for a man to rest. It is not sufficient by the best educa- tors who have studied this question for the average, and so one day in the week is set apart for rest. And I tell you why I think it ought to be observed — from humanitarian standpoint, from the standpoint of sociability, from every standpoint that we may consider today, that twelve, eight or nine hours a day 36 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. is not sufficient to bring about that rest that is necessary. For the men who liave studied this question have come to this con- clusion, that a man may be trusted on Monday but cannot be trusted on Saturday night — the nervous force has been ex- pended — and the men are different on Saturday night because of this than on Monday morning. The result has been con- siderable advance, that one day's rest has brought them back to a normal condition. Where could that rest be more complete than when you find it where the flowers grow and the trees are growing and the birds are singing. My little boy has been planting all l^inds of trees in a box, and he enjoys it. He had some little beds in the house in which he germinated the seed, and there was scarcely a day he did not call my attention to these plants. And one day he set a little tree out and the wind broke it off, and it nearly broke his little heart at the same time. I was glad he felt bad about it. (I think it developes the boy's sensibilities in the child to give attention to the things that grow.) That a child, when a tree is broken or a shrub is injured, has much the same feeling as when a pet bird or cat has been hurt, and when you get the feeling stirred up in that way the finer sensibilities are cultivated and it is a good thing for the child, and when he grows up to manhood you will not be surprised to know he is a humanitarian. The horticulturalists of this country had not given attention to these things to so very large an extent until probably about fifty years ago, when we began to do things in earnest. And it is in the past century that horticulture has had its highest de- velopment in the United States — especially along the line of fruit growing. And it is said no country in the world has made the advancement that America has made along these lines. If this is true, and I think it is, we can justly feel proud. There may have been men who have discovered great things, made inventions that benefitted mankind, but I believe the man who made two spears of grass to grow where one grew before, the men who braved the dangers of this western country, braved the dangers of the hot winds and the adverse conditions and again began planting the apple, plum and cherry tree and improve the fruit of these, have done the world a great deal of good, and humanity will call them blessed for the efforts they VALUE OF HORTICULTURAL EDUCATION. 37 have put forth. When in the beginning, in this state, men came to this country and said we cannot grow apple trees. A gentleman said to me this morning he had been here for thirty- five years; he lived in Nemaha county; he said we had no idea we could grow an apple in that country, I came here twenty-one years ago, and I think that the only place they could grow apples was in Richardson, Nemaha and Johnson counties, in the southeastern portion of our state. About ten years ago they discovered that the northeast part of the state was the real place where orchards could grow, it was a great apple country. They told me up at Sioux City they could grow better apples there than any where in the state of Nebraska, and they were filled with hope that these things could be done. I know it is only a short time ago that they said fruit could not be grown here, and yet we find there beau- tiful orchards. A man brought some to my house a few days ago; and if any apples made any better sauce than those I never saw them. The value of horticultural education cannot be over estimated for the general welfare of this country. There is nothing in the world that advertises a country as a good, substantial farm- ing country any better than the plants, flowers and trees that you see growing in that country. There is nothing that speaks better for a class of people in the world than to see the orchards and the meadows and the gardens and the flowers that are in blossom. If you show me a community where every home is adorned with trees, shrubs and plants, I will show you a com- munity where civilization has reached the highest point, it has the completest farm. And if you will show me a community where the ornaments in the front and back yards are the swine; if a man upon his lot will say that he has saved the price of a lawn mower by permitting his cow and horse to eat the grass, I will show you a condition of retrogression that this country should not tolerate. We are speaking for better things. I think we depend too much upon our lawn mowers and not enough upon cultivation. We don't think all our lawns in our villages should be grass plots. I think there ought to be a large part of it planted to shrubs, trees and flowers of every description, and the children 38 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. that grow up in a place of this kind will have real enjoyment, and they will begin to study these things in their natural way. Tlie plant as it grows, and the child as it grows, have a kind of an affinity one for another. They seem to thrive well together, and as they grow one may shead its leaves and the other grow in knowledge and wisdom, untill finally by a natural order of things he will not forget the plant or love it less; he will not for- get the orchard and meadow, he will not love them less but he will, possibly because of these things, love his philosophy more, not because he does not know of these others but because he does know of them, and appreciate them, I think this horticultural society means much good where- ever these sessions are held in the community in which they meet. I only hope and only trust that we can enjoy more of the association of men who give this their thought, give this their attention, because certainly if their is one thing that speaks well for humanity it is the growing of trees, of shrubs and of beautiful flowers in general (Applause). The President : We are pleased to listen to such an address. We are glad to know that it is not only the people that are here today who will receive the benefits of these proceedings, but re- member we are speaking to an audience of 10,000 people through our reports, so that every thing said here is reported in short- hand and goes to a larger audience than what we now see. This that we have just listened to should be published in every educa- tional paper in the United States; school teachers throughout the United States ought to hear that as well as horticulturists. I hope they will. The next address will be by Frank Harris, on "HOW I GROW CHERRIES." Mr. HarrlS: Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: My talk is on "How I Grow Cherries". I suppose all of you know how to grow cherries. Thousands of them have been trying it, and. I suppose they know as much as I do. The first thing to do is to prepare your ground in order that HOW TO GROW CHERRIES. 39 you may grow cherries. Have your ground plowed from seven to eight inches deep and mulch that ground throughly. Then order your trees. Put out your trees as they should be. See that the roots of those trees are not broken. Cut your limbs off all excepting two or three runners, train your tree pro- perly and keep it that way. There are many who think when they order trees from the nursery that the tree should be attended to in the nursery. But it is like a pig in the pen. There are those who will put a pig in a pen, and then say we have got him in the pen, and we have got nothing more to do until we get ready to sell him. But trees are not that way. In order to get anything out of trees you have got to keep them grow- ing. The tree after it once gets bark bound, becomes as a runty pig, it will not produce its fruit its natural size. It stands there and the bark gets hard on it; the leaves look sickly and very small. But I will tell you the way to prevent it, the way I do, everybody else don't do that way. When I see a tree that is that way, I make up a bucket of strong soap suds and go at that tree and rub it thoroughly with it, and let it dry. And then I take about three table spoonfuls of salt and have half a quart of flour and mix that with white- wash, about 8 quarts, then I go over that tree. I do so with all my trees. That keeps the bark tender, the tree growing, and it produces fruit as nice as you ever saw. That is the way I do. I find that I have better luck that way than I do other ways. I have also tried other trees, just put them in the ground and let them grow like other people would. But it was not a suc- cess. The tree soon becomes grown up with ordinary sprouts on the sunny side and they will soon take the strength from the tree and don't let the sap circulate in the tree as it should; then the tree will have very small leaves and small fruit and hence does not produce its natural size. In order to have any thing you have got to attend to it. If you plant corn and leave it there until gathered, it wiU be a mistake. The corn has to be tended to; the same with trees. Then you can see what the tree will do. I have six trees that are sixteen years old. There shows the fruit in the can (indicating to can of fruit.) Seven bushels and eighteen quarts on one tree; and that was not the largest tree. I intend to get the amount that grew on the largest 40 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. tree, but I had a party picking it and they got them mix- ed up, therefore, I kept track of the next largest tree, and all the same size as you see there. (Those are the smallest cherries I raised there.) Off of twenty trees I raised seventy- two bushels of cherries and sold all for a $1.50 a bushel and gave a good round measure. If there is anybody here who got some I would like to see their faces (applause.) I dont believe in cheating a man. If I cheat a man out of a dollar, I believe I will lose $10. I believe in being honest with a man. That is the way my cherries are, as you see them, the whole orchard that I have. Out of twenty trees, seventy two bushels of cherr- ies came off the trees, and that is the size they are. I would like to have you all see my orchard. Of course it is just smaU, but my trees are not trained like other people train theirs. I trim my trees up so that the tree may devlope the fruit its nat- ural size, and you can see there what it is. But by letting it grow up in ordianary sprouts it will make a weak and sickly tree and will not produce its fruit as it ought to. Therefore, I find that I have better luck by doing that than I would to let it grow. Lots of people want their trees to bush down to the ground so that the limbs will protect the body of the tree from the sun. I say trim your tree up and scrub it— it does a person good lots of times (laughter) and I say do your trees the same. Then after you do that put that whitewash on it, that is a great pro- tection from the sun, and also keeps the bark tender, and the tree wiU then grow and produce its fruit right. But of all the growing cherries here I will take the Early and Late Richmond for Nebraska. When a tree grows seven bushels and eighteen quarts of cherries that is good enough for me. I came here in an early day, and when I came here the people told me you could not raise fruit in this country. Of course I brought a lot of seed with me that I planted, and thought I would try it that way, and I found out that you could get trees from the nursery- men that would do a great deal better. So I had a little means, and I bought me a little place here in town and bought a few trees. My wife says, "What do you want to put out those little bushes for, they will not amount to anything. " But I find today that she is very glad to receive the money that has come from them. DISCUSSION. 41 Now in raising cherries, they want to be cultivated, and keep the ground around the tree pretty loose; the looser the better, and the faster then the tree wiU grow. When the tree becomes hidebound and grows up around it and packed around the tree it is not good for the tree; it becomes sickly and dies out in a few years. My trees today sixteen years old are as nice and green as those I put out a year ago. I see trees set out since mine of the same kind of cherry; they are dead, limbs sawed off and tops broken, all like that. Of course, last year my trees were all full of bloom when the sleet came, and they all bent down to the ground. If I hadn't tended my trees, the limbs would have been dry and then would have broken off. I keep my trees ten- der and they bent to the ground and they didn't break off, and you see the result of what I got off from them here. I have six acres south of town that I planted in fruit trees, and my cher- ries and other trees that I put out have made a growth of three feet this season. And cherries I put out a year ago this spring had from each a quart of cherries on, as nice as I ever saw, and I ordered the trees from Harrison Bros, of York, and I find that that nursery suits me; and my old trees that I got, came from that nursery, and I am very well satisfied with it. And I have also got half a block that is planted into fruit from Shennan- doah, Iowa. That is pretty nice fruit, but my trees are quite as nice. I beheve, of course, in getting trees as near home as pos- sible, and they suit the soil and climate better, and I think you will do a great deal better to do that. I believe that is all I have to say. (Applause). DISCUSSION. A Member: Did you say you cultivated, and did they in- crease? Mr. Harris: My .old trees, I cultivate them every year, but this is the first year I have not spaded around them because I had too much to do. A Member: You spade around them every year? Mr. Harris: Yes sir. 42 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. A Member: What have you in the ground now around the old trees? Mr. Harris: Grass which is in my lawn; blue grass in the lawn. A Member: In regard to that late Richmond. Mr. Harris might be right about that, but the trees are hard to get. Tlie horticulturists know how difficult it is to get together to compare these specimens, therefore, we have no way of learning about them. From our experience with the Late Richmond, I believe he must have something else than the Late Richmond. I could not say a good thing for the Late Richmond. For the early Richmond I could not say too much. Was that Late Richmond light or dark? Mr. Harris: Light cherry. A Member: Does it have heavy foliage? Mr. Harris: Yes sir. A Member: Is it about ten days later than the Early Rich- mond ? Mr. Harris: Yes sir. A Member: I wonder if you didn't have Montmorency in- stead of Late Richmond? Mr. Harris: Wlien I bought my trees I got them for the Late Richmond. A Member: Did they come in bearing as soon as the Early Richmond? Mr. Harris: No sir. A Member: Couple of years later? Mr. Harris: Yes sir. A Membp]R: Did you get them from Harrison Bros? Mr. HAiiRiS: Yes sir. Mr. Williams: I would like to ask Mr. Harris how he meas- ured his cherries. I cannot imagine his getting seven bushels of cherries from one tree. I think I never saw a tree with over DISCUSSION. 43 three bushels. The question with me is how did he measure them? • Mr. Harris: I measured my cherries in half bushels, and gave two half bushels for a bushel. (Applause). Mr. Williams: Did you leave the stems on? Mr. HLA.RRIS: Yes sir, just as you see them there (indicat- ing). If there is anybody here that bought cherries from me, they can rise and speak about it. Mr. Harrison: Referring to the question of the kind of trees these are, I don't think there is any doubt but the tree as described, is the Late Richmond; that has fruit that ripens ten days after the Early Richmond. Mr. Youngers: I wish to state in regard to the Late Rich- mond. Thirty years ago all the Montmorency through this country were called Late Richmond. We have since discovered that they are Mortmorency instead of Late Richmond. I had the Montmorency that have been disseminated all through. President: The nurserymen are about as ignorant about the variety as the people. Mr. Youngers: Among the Montmorency, the large one, there is a great variety, and there are several types of Mont- morency* that all ripen at about the same time, within four or five days, but they vary in shape and in size and productiveness, and also the growth of the tree; but all of the Montmorency type --and we come to the conclusion that the Montmorency ordi- narily, as it is known, in the east of New York, is one of the most productive Montmorency we have in this state. Mr. Swan: Do you ever spray your trees? Mr. Harris: No sir. Mr. Swan: Just depend on soap? Mr. Harris: Yes sir. Mr. C. S. Harrison: I was over to Father Dorr's place this summer, and he had a large number of Late Richmond trees, which he had been growing for years, yet they are shy of cher- 44 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. ries, a little larger than the Early Richmond; they are dark col- ored and exceedingly rich, and sweeter cherry. I think there is that type of cherry, but we don't want to mix them with the Montmorency. I don't think we have got a live Enghsh Morello in York County. Mk. Youngers: I wish to say that the Terry has stood it as good as any tree we have had — equal to the Early Richmond or Montmorency. Mr. Marshall: I am getting tired of bobbing up and down. I want to say something about that cherry. We had some ex- perience. Tlie Terry in the nursery will stand a whole lot of grief. I remember the greatest we have here to speak of in the cherry hne is cold weather. The reason Nebraska has been such a good cherry country is because of the glorious sunshine. But when we get fifty instead of twenty-two or twenty-nine in- ches of rain fall, then the cherry is going to suffer. Now the Terry will stand that in the nursery; I cannot explain why it will stand that in the orchard while it is young, but about the time it comes in bearing it, will turn up its toes. That is the way ours did. Now in the nursery they didn't die but Hved and seemed all right, but we cannot explain the difference; but it is there and shows for itself. In regard to that Enghsh Morello, it will out-bear an^^ cherry, Early Richmond and all; but it will not stand the amount of cold weather w^e have had in the last two years, but if we don't have that I will say it will out-bear any of them— even the Early Richmond. We have proved it for years and years. It is the heaviest bearer we have had. This very sort, the Montmorency that Harrison speaks of, I think he will testify, it is the quahty that is the best. I don't like the Enghsh Morello. The Enghsh MoreUo will be aU right if we have the normal weather and it will fruit heavy. But anybody growing it in large quantities must expect it to die if we have much rain. Mr. Stephens: We are accustomed to regard the horticul- tural portion of Nebraska, as confined to the eastern half of the state; but there is a western portion of the state, and there the Engilsh Morello is a very good fruit. There is one point I wish DISCUSSION. 45 to bring before the meeting, cultivation. Perhaps you all know that we have had enthusiasism from the subject of cultivation. I have some times thought of the English Morello that cultiva- tion was like whiskey; in winter a man takes it to keep warm, and in summer time to keep cool or rather guard againts heat. The English Morello — we have had two or three very wet sea- sons, and it has been very hard on all of the roots of these cherries, but the thorough cultivation has carried our English Morello cherries through and saved nearly all of them, and gave us a greater growth this year, somewhat heavy growth. We have succeeded in carrying them through the last two years, and kept on enough foliage to keep the trees in a fair condition, and carry them forward for the future. In what way does cul- tivation assist these trees? We believe that cultivation will not only conserve moisture in dry seasons, but if there is an excess of rainfalls, it prepares the surface and gives them a better growth, and that cultivation is very valuable in wet seasons, and we should do a great deal more of it. This particular orchard was kept in health by cultivating it twenty-fiv-e times. Mr. Harris: You bought your original trees? Mr. Stephens: Never got any good out of them. Mr. HjlRRIS: a few years ago I got fourteen kinds when I was out in Franklin county. They did remarkably well; they were very large. I put out a plantation in Colorado under ditch, and they out-sold every thing else. I got some seeds of late ones. They had them out in September, and I planted, but I found like the English Morello they will not stand our wet weather. I don't know but in the extreme west they might be all right. As soon as these wet seasons come on, there are a very few cherries that will stand it. I am speaking about these original trees. Mr. Bates: I have handled as many kinds of cherries in Hamilton county as any other man. The Montmorency does fairly weU, next to the Early Richmond. For Hamilton county the Early Richmond is the standard cherry. I have had ex- perience of thirty years. I would state heavy mulching is just as good in my judgment from my experience in raising of fruit 46 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. trees of over one hundred varieties. For three years cultivate them. Mulch heavy until the trees get well set is the proper thing. Mr. H. S. Harrison: The mulching question may be all right when well protected, but there is one objection. That is, it brings the roots too near the surface. Mr. Swan: In our country, I know they didn't die with the wet feet, but they are dead. The balance of them are dying now. Mine is on quite a steep hill, and all the heavy rains run off, and therefore the wet weather does not kill mine. They froze up a year ago last May, and the leaves became yellow, and every Morello in my orchard is gone. Mr. Beltzer: The gentleman is in favor of mulching. Mr. Harrison says it will not do. I want to know whether mulch- ing apple, cherry and plum trees will have the same effect as it does on cedar trees, to bring the roots up to the ground sur- face. Have you experiments? Mr. Harrison: We have not. Mr. Marshall: Take it for ten years and it will do it every time. A Member: We have experimented for twentj^ years. I mulch them as often as they need it. Mr. Beltzer: I find mulching is a benefit from the time they are planted until they fruit. Mr. Marshall: The impression left with me was, there was probably four inches of mulching kept on them all the time. Now that will not work. If you do that you will bring the roots up. The mulching is all right, but you must let it wear away. A TRIP THROUGH THE SOUTHERN ORCHARDS. BY MR. PETER YOUNGERS. Mr. Youngers: The paper I have prepared on this subject is very brief (applause). A TRIP THROUGH THE SOUTHERN ORCHARDS. 47 After the meeting of the American Association of Nursery- men, which adjourned June 23rd, we had the pleasure of visit- ing the orchards of Central Georgia, through the courtesy of the Georgia Central Railroad, and invitations of the Orchardists. As we had visited the same section in 1892, we were surprised at the immense increase in the planting. In 1892, the largest orchard of the section contained nearly 100,000 peach trees. On this trip we visited five orchards containing 755,000 trees. After we left Atlanta, we were taken to May- field, Ga., where some 150 persons were met at the station and driven to the orchard of Berckman Bros., which contained 710 acres, consisting of 130,000 trees, largely peach with a smaU per cent of plum and pear. After a delightful drive we reached the house and were royally entertained by Berckman Bros., they having prepared a real old fashioned Barbecue, consisting of eight sheep and four hogs and other good things in propor- tion awaiting the hungry nurserymen. The tables were under the shade of a great spreading oak, and the drive had created a good apetite for all. Peaches were piled high upon the table and such good ripe fruit at this season of the year was enjoyed by the northern people. After a most delightful time in the orchard, we returned to Macon, Ga., and stopped over night. This is a very progressive city and has the appearance of being very much alive and up to date. The next morning we visited the orchard of J. H. Hale, near Ft. VaUey. This orchard contains 2,100 acres and has 250,000 trees. They employ 200 hands and will ship 250 cars of fruit this season. Our next trip was to the Albaugh orchard, and here we found 100,000 trees in most excellent condition. As Mr. Albaugh is one of the pioneers in peach growing, we were pleased to note his success. We also had the pleasure of visiting the orchard of of S. H. Rumph, the originator of the Elberta peach. His orchard consists of 165,000 trees. He gave the nurserymen a most hearty welcome at his home and we fuUy appreciated his hospitality. Our last trip was to the orchard of E. J. Willingham and G. M. Withoft. The Withoft orchard contains 110,000 trees and they were in the best possible condition. In aU we visited five 48 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY orchards, containing 755,000 trees. AU this development of the southern fruit industry is the result of the eastern and north- ern blood that is developing the south. Ohio and Connecticut people are largely interested in bringing about the change. From barren fields they have produced train loads of fruit and are employing thousands of laborers to develop the south. DISCUSSION. Mr. Youngers: (After finishing reading his paper states:) Georgia in the last 12 years has put out 12,000,000 peach trees. A Member: Do you think there is an opportunity for Ne- braska to compete with Georgia in the peach business? Mr. Youngers: I don't beUeve it is advisable unless_ they would form a company and plant on a large scale. In the first place the land is so poor you have got to fertilize it; and when you get fourteen bushels of corn to the acre, planted at four feet apart, one kernal to the hiU, you are getting a good crop- A Member: Can you make peach growing as successful in Nebraska as they do in Georgia? Mr. Youngers: I think you can. They ship their peaches to Boston and New York, they don't come in competition with the west at aU. I believe if we had orchards large enough so we could ship them that way we could make good money in Ne- braska. Mr. Snodgrass: How do our Nebraska peaches compare with Georgia peaches in fiavor ? Mr. Youngers: I think the Nebraska peach superior to the Georgia peach. We had that tested at the World's Fair, when the committee on awards made their award on peaches. They gave New Jersey first and Nebraska second in quality. They tell us they hadn't any rain for practically three months in Georgia. Tliat made considerable difference. When I was down in Georgia twelve years ago they were very juicy and smaUer than our own, but this year they had no rain for about three months. Mr. Harrison: I was in Mobile last winter and had a chance to observe a little not far from Mobile, and the peach orchards SPRAYING EXPERIMENTS. 49. are rather sad affairs. The scale seems hke a needle which enters the stump, and it dies. There were trees there you could rake the scales off; they had to cut off the limbs and leave nothing but the stump, and then whitewash them. I thought we had some advantages in Nebraska. I think Nebraska, from w^hat I can see of the United States, has the best show of raising peaches of any state in the Union, Mr. Swan: Mr. Youngers, you think Nebraska is ahead of all of them? Mr. Youngers : Yes, for profit and quality. SPRAYING EXPERIMENTS WITH APPLE SCAB AND CEDAR RUST. BY PROF. R. a. EMERSON , UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA. INTRODUCTION. During the past three years two fungous diseases of the apple, scab and cedar rust, have been unusally prevalent in eastern Nebraska. Of the two, rust has attracted the more attention, owing to the fact that the trees attacked by it are often defohated and thereby seriously weakened, if not killed. The further fact that the rust seriously injures cedar trees has brought it to the attention of many who would not otherwise have been concerned about it. Scab, on the other hand, becomes noticeable only by disfiguring the fruit of certain varieties of apples. As a matter of fact, scab is more injurious than is often apparent. It not only attacks the fruit but also injures the foliage to such an ex- tent that the fruit is sometimes undersized. Moreover, the scab very commonly reduces the yield of fruit by attacking the flowers or very young fruits, causing them to drop early. This is of course a more serious trouble in "off years" than in seasons when there is a heavy set of fruit. For instance, after the freeze of 1903, which came while the trees were in bloom, there was a very noticeable difference in the amount of fruit set on sprayed and unsprayed apples, in favor of the sprayed trees.. 50 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. The observations recorded in this bulletin are mainly the re- sults of tests of spra.ving"as a preventive of the diseases under consideration. The tests of spraying: against apple scab can hardly be said to be experimental. They are more in the nature of demonstrations. Although spraying for apple scab is in reality beyond the experimental stage, tests of the sort reported here are of considerable value, since Nebraska fruit growers and farmers have not been uniformly successful in their attemps to hold scab in check by spraying. As regards cedar rust, the work is largely experimental, comparatively few attemps having been made before to control it by spraying. HOW THE DISEASES WORK. Before passing to the consideration of the spraying tests, it is well to understand something of what the diseases are and how they work. Description of the fungi concerned and detail- ed accounts of their life histories are rather for the plant path- ologist to undertake than for the horticulturist. Nothing of the sort will therefore be attempted in this account. Fig. 1 Leaves of Rails Genet apple showing apple scab. SPRAYING EXPERIMENTS. 51 Fig. 2. Winesap and Red June apples showing apple scab. Let it be said at the start that "cedar apples, " which are seen so commonly on cedar trees in spring, have no relation whatever to apple scab but do have a very close relation to the rust on apple leaves. Many fungi have two or more stages of growth. One stage of apple scab occurs on the foliage, fruit and twigs of apple trees during summer and the other on the dead apple leaves in winter and spring. Fig. 1 indicates something of the appear- ance of scab on the leaves in summer and fig. 2 shows how scabby fruits look. At first the scab shows as a brownish discoloration in spots on the underside of the leaves, on the flower or fruit stems, and on the young fruits. Later the upper surface of the leaves shows the disease, appearing as if swollen in spots (see fig. 1). The affected fruits often present many small, grayish- brown spots of scab and usually a few large patches of a similar color. The larger scabs often crack open (see fig. 2). If the fruits are badly affected while quite small, they frequently drop before they have grown appreciably. Infection takes place in 52 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL ^OCIETY. spring or early summer from the leaves of the preceding year's growth. Later the disease spreads from the parts first affected to the new grow^th. In like manner cedar rust has two stages of growth. One stage occurs on the fohage, twigs, and fruits of the apple in summer, w^here it appears at first as definite yellowish spots, very unlike the rather indefinite brownish spots caused by scab. On sus- ceptible varieties the spots increase in size as the season ad- vances, often running together to form large patches. By mid- summer the affected parts of twdgs and fruits and the lower surfaces of leaves show short thread-like growths. On some less susceptible varieties, however, the diseased spots remain small and undeveloped throughout the summer. The fohage of apples is generally much more seriously injured by the rust than the fruit is. Apparently only the most susceptible varieiies suffer from diseased twigs. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 give some ide& of how the disease appears on the leaves, twigs, and fruits of apples. Tlie other stage of the rust occurs, not on the apple, but on the fohage and twigs of cedar trees, where it appears during fall and winter as small, brown knots, commonly called "cedar apples" Fig. 3 Leaves of the Wealthy apple, showing cedar rust. SPRAYING EXPERIMENTS. 53 Fig. 4. Twig and leaves of hybrid Prairie Crab apple showing cedar rust. Fig. 5. Jonathan apple showing cedar rust on the fruits. {see fig. 6, No. 1). With the warm weather of spring, these knots produce threadhke tubes (fig. 6, Nos. 2 and 3), which when wet with rain grow out into large gelatinous tongues of an 54 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Fig. 6. "Cedar apples" on cedar twigs. No. 1, Winter stage of cedar rust; Nos. 2. 3. and 4, pring sta{