The Iola Register

Horticulture.

The new year for the Horticultural labors opens up with a new life in the society. The election of officers replaced President Smeltzer and Secretary Pancoast and ye reporter. The picnic dinner still holds its former important place as the opening piece on the program, but another feature, not altogether new but just now brought to a great prominence, is that of insisting on those who are on the program presenting papers and that they may be discussed and a note of these discussions kept for use. This will not only add to the present interest of deliberations but for future investigation will be some guide, and at once we have proof of the important part this may take in the future career of the Society.

A communication from W. H. Barnes, secretary of the State Horticultural Society, desiring the co-operation of our members in the discussion of the subjects chosen by the State society for a work on the 'Plum Cherry, Apricot and Nectarine.'

Secretary Pancoast led the discussion on the first and for his list of favorite varieties we refer the reader to his paper read and published.

A member wished the sand plum added to the best canning variety known, but on account of the indefiniteness of the term objections were raised, there being very many varieties included in the term. This plum seems well suited to dry and arid localities and are found in large quantities in western Kansas. The Dawson was by many of the elder members urged as one of the old reliables, and it still continues to hold a place in the list of favorites as prolific, delicious and hardy.

Mr. I. B. Lawyer, who has resided here forty-four years, states that although now we can find but a small part of our fruit crop free from the effects of insect enemies, that then the exception was the other way and few enemies annoyed. Wild Goose plum although very prolific and easily started is not the favorite for all purposes.

The Native plum mentioned in Mr. Pancoast's paper seems to be successfully grown by Dr. Hendricks, Mrs. Boulson and Mrs. Turner and is a popular variety.

L. D. Buck says the Sand plum is too tender to ship. E. Richardson says the Weaver will stand shipment and recommends close planting and mixing the varieties, and has increased productiveness by the experiment.

Soil. Nature provides the soil of the valleys here, approach this as far as possible here. In Wisconsin the conditions seem changed and upland succeeds best.

Grapes reported somewhat injured by the hard winter of 1898-99 and the prospect of a crop injured. A prevalent neglect of the smaller details of care and culture seems a barrier to the largest success with a majority of our farmers.

Vegetables. Although too early in the season to begin any, but preparatory work, Mr. Harmon remarked that now during the leisure hours and evenings, with an abundance of catalogues on hand, time is well spent marking choice varieties and later making up your orders for seeds. Grow only the best, and as large numbers of consumers are just now coming to our city and county, the encouragement to supply the growing demand gives promise of a good market for all first class vegetables and fruits they can place early.

Mr. Finch who has had large experience in fruits and nursery stock has located in our community and gave some modest but worthy hints, and we hope he may find in our growing demand a profitable field for his business.

A valuable experiment reported by Mr. Finch was that while in the peach business he sprayed during the winter with a certain preparation to retard the unfolding of the bud in the spring which proved so marked a success that it will be published, if acceptable to the editor, for the benefit of those who desire to make a note of it for future years.

The Fordhook Fancy tomato has proven its merits in the experience of several of our members, as has also the Golden Champion for preserving.

A free discussion of the tomato led to the preference of prolific but uniform kind of medium sized fruit, borne on upright stocks. These can be planted closer together, are easier of cultivation and are not borne down by the larger fruit of such as the Ponderosa and such varieties celebrated for size only, but which are endangered by an excess of damp weather, both before and at ripening time, that may change a ponderous prospect into a sickening sight.

The next regular meeting is to occur on March 9th, (the second Friday always) at the G. A. R. hall. The hope is that the April meeting may be held in a beautiful grove. All strangers whether especially interested in horticulture, floriculture or any of the kindred branches, are cordially invited to meet with the Society and participate in all of its picnics and discussions.

J. W. J.