from the gases, products of which it forms a part. In the winter these are not formed, while the rains wash away the solid material. Kerosene, on the other hand, is as effectual in cold as in warm weather, and kills by direct action.

There is another thing that may be mentioned in favor of the oil emulsion it is also destructive to insects, and, wherever they may be reached, to their eggs. It is probable that the eggs of the apple aphis, which are deposited in autumn on the twigs, may be destroyed in this way. If so, we can kill two birds with one stone.

Upon motion of Prof. S M. Tracy, of Missouri, Mr. John T. Hardie was unanimously elected to the Vice Presidency for the State of Louisiana.

Mr. Williams, of Indiana, chairman of the committee to devise ways and means to pay for the expense of collecting statistics by the Secretary, etc., read the following report:

Resolved, That for the purpose of procuring sufficient means for the payment of the Secretary and the publishing of the annual proceedings and statistical matter of the Society, we recommend

1. That at every exhibition made by this Society, when premiums are offered, an entry fee of 10 per cent. of the amount of the premiums competed for shall be required and collected in advance.

2. That we recommend the preparation of a scale of fees where diplomas or medals are awarded instead of money.

3. That the collection of 10 per cent. and other fees shall be placed in the hands of the Treasurer, subject to an order from the Secretary, signed by the President. 4. That the proceeds from the sale of our publications be devoted to the expenses. of the statistical department.

5. That a Directory of nurserymen, commissionmen, florists, seedsmen and manufacturers of horticultural wares, etc., be published as advertising matter in our annual proceedings, and that a fee of two dollars be charged for each name so published, when accompanied by satisfactory references.

6. And that we also recommend that the Executive Committee be instructed to fix the salary of the Secretary and set apart such an amount from the premium fund as, in their judgment, will cover any deficit in meeting all expenses.

On motion of Prof. Colmant, of Mississippi, amended by Mr. Evans, of Missouri, the report was referred to the Executive Committee.

The Society then adjourned to 8 o'clock P. M.

Fourth Day-Saturday.

EVENING SESSION.

President Earle called the Society to order at 8 o'clock P. M. and proceeded to announce, as per resolution adopted in the afternoon, the following

COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION.

Northern Section-F. A. Thomas, of Illinois, J. M. Smith, of Wisconsin, and Captain E. Hollister, of Illinois.

Southern Section-Dr. H. E. McKay, of Mississippi, Major A. W. Rountree, of Louisiana, and Major S. H. Nowlin, of Arkansas.

The President-Our first subject this evening is that of raspberries and their management. Our excellent friend, the Treasurer of this Society-may the responsibilities of this office be larger in the future than they have been in the past—who is one of the most successful fruit growers of the West, will read us a paper upon that topic. I take pleasure in inviting you to hear Major J. C Evans, of Missouri.

RASPBERRY MANAGEMENT AND THE NEW RASPBERRIES.

BY J. C. EVANS, OF MISSOURI.

It has been said that successful farming is much more complex than any trade, and demands more constant thought than most branches of professional life, together with the executive ability equal to the management of any business. This will apply to the growing of small fruits as well as to farming. A very small per cent. of those engaged in farming are making it a success, and of the large number who have embarked in the business of growing small fruits, perhaps just as few have succeeded. The chances for success are few, while those for failure are many.

What is meant by success is that the acre of raspberries has paid for planting, pruning, cultivating, picking, marketing, and the interest on the money invested in land, tools, etc., and has a fair per cent. left for net profit. And if this continues for a series of years, then we call it a success.

I would not discourage any one from engaging in this pleasant and interesting occupation, but I ask the question, how many of us are making the growing of raspberries a success, and why the many failures? If the ques

tion were asked, do raspberries do well in your section? you would say yes. Any farmer may plant a patch in the corner of the garden or along the fence and just let them alone, and he will have plenty of berries for the family; but suppose he tries two or three acres in this way and undertakes to market them for profit; he would certainly fail. But the intelligent fruit-grower who has learned all the conditions necessary to success may select the varieties known to do well in his soil and climate and apply these conditions, and reasonably good profits will accrue. The object in growing raspberries, after we have plenty for the family, is the money we can make out of the business. If we wish to go right, then we must start right; we must learn (and that is our object in coming together here). Is our soil adapted? If we have that that will produce a good crop of corn, we consider it good for raspberries What exposure is best, and why? Land sloping gently to any point, except south, or southwest, because not so liable to shorten the crop of fruit in ripening, or the growth of canes later in the season by drought; besides, the sun has less power on the canes before and after sudden freezing, which is the principal cause of what is called winter-killing. The preparation of the land before planting is a matter of great importance, for on this depends the growth of canes the first year and the crop of fruit the second, as well as for years after. The land should be ploughed deep, the deeper the better, and well pulverized, then marked off in rows seven feet (most growers say six, but seven gives more room to cultivate and pick), with shovel plow, and the plants placed three feet apart in the furrow, and a little dirt drawn around them to hold them in place until the furrow is filled from each side with the same kind of plow.

The middles should not be planted in any other crop, as is the custom of some growers, especially new beginners, and where land is valuable, as a matter of economy. I question the economy in any case. The land should be thoroughly cultivated through the growing season, and the plants topped at a foot high to cause laterals to push out. In the following spring these laterals should be cut back to six inches long, and the land cultivated before the buds start, and again after the fruit is picked. The yearly after-treatment will be the same, except that the topping will naturally be a little higher each year. I would say here that the great mistake of most growers is in leaving too much wood. Better have fewer berries in number and more in measurement.

The above applies to both red and black varieties, with the exception that red is seldom pruned at all and is almost always allowed to grow in a mass or hedge row. Some growers, however, have practiced summer pinching to a limited extent and claim that it works well. Others cut back to one-third or one-half of the cane early in spring and say that it is right. I have practiced this on the Thwack for several years and find it works well.

When we come to talk about varieties we have a long list to consider, both red and black, but my experience being limited to a few of the leading varieties, I shall name only such, and would say to those who wish to plant, if

you know of a variety, either new or old, that has given satisfaction in your vicinity with the treatment you expect to give it, that is the one for you to plant.

We used to be satisfied to grow Doolittle and Mammoth Cluster, but many growers in our section are now discarding them and planting Hopkins as the best black-cap. Gregg is also doing well in some sections. Turner is a fine red one, and has done well over a large section of country, but some growers are giving it up and planting Thwack as a better shipping berry, though not so good in quality as the Turner and some others, but a much better berry to send a long distance. Its large size and ability to retain its fine color make it sell readily at good prices.

There are no doubt many among the long list of candidates for public favor that will prove themselves good in certain localities, and some of them may come to the front and take the place of those now considered best; but we must test them in a small way first. In conclusion let me repeat, never plant extensively any variety until it has been well tested in your section, no matter how well it has done elsewhere.

The President announced the arrangements that had been made for the excursion to Mobile. The party will leave here Tuesday morning at 7 o'clock, and, arriving in Mobile at 12 o'clock, will be received by Mobile and Ohio Railroad officials, who have provided carriages for the entire party. Tuesday evening, and the greater portion of Wednesday, will be devoted to sight-seeing, and then the excursionists will take their departure either for home or return to New Orleans. The latter will leave Mobile at 4 o'clock Wednesday evening.

Upon motion of Mr. Holsinger, of Kansas, it was unanimously resolved to remain in Mobile until Wednesday evening.

The President having been requested by some of the delegates to make inquiries as to the cost of an excursion to San Antonio, Texas, announced that the Morgan Railroad had offered to take excursionists, if a sufficient number went, at twenty-five dollars for the round trip and give them two weeks time.

Mr. Baker, of Kansas, announced that as he was to leave in the morning, he had turned over the matter of transportation to Prof. Colmant, of Mississippi.

The President-Among the new fruits which are attracting our attention, perhaps none are more inviting and excellent, or more promising of commercial value than the Japanese persimmon. Our

old friend D. B. Wier, well remembered by all Illinois fruit men, has found "the promised land" hidden away among the prairies and forests of Arkansas. He will tell us what he knows about

THE JAPANESE PERSIMMON IN ARKANSAS.

BY D. B. WIER OF ARKANSAS.

Arkansas, by reason of its geographical position and magnificent climate, should be, and will be, the early fruit and vegetable garden of the great Northwest. Her northern half, the upland, or hill region, is the home of the apple, the peach, the plum, and perhaps the pear, as well as of all the small fruits, including the grape and cherry. Nowhere, I think, are the trees and plants o these fruits more healthy or longer lived, and certainly nowhere are they of finer flavor, size and color. The northwestern third of the State is peculiarly adapted for the apple. This standard fruit is there grown of the finest size, color and quality, the tree exceedingly healthy and long lived. It is also finely adapted to all other hardy fruits. This region having now direct railroad connection with West Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska and the whole Northwest, it is worthy of the attention of fruit-growers. The region is very healthy, water the very best, and land cheap. It is settling up fast with firstclass, energetic people.

The northwest center of the State, with all its mineral riches and splendid scenery, is also one of the finest of fruit regions. It is also soon to be opened up by a line of railroad, North and South, opening up to it the splendid markets of Memphis and cities beyond on the South, and Kansas City and other fine markets North.

The south line of the hill country from Newport, on White river, to Little Rock, is already developed to some extent as a fruit producing region. With an outlet to markets North and South by the great Iron Mountain railroad route, it sends vast amounts of fine, early fruits to the great St. Louis market and also to Texas. This railroad, stretching from the northeast to the southwest corner of the State, gives the fruit-grower along its line a choice of either the Northern or Texas market. This road is bordered on both sides of its entire length by splendid fruit lands. The same is true of the Little Rock and Fort Smith railroad. The climate of all this northern portion of the State is exceedingly healthy, except in the lowest bottom lands along the streams. There is room for tens of thousands of energetic fruit-growers. But I was to write of the persimmon. Well, I will come to it in due time.

The greater portion of Southern Arkansas and all its eastern side is well nigh a level plain, with a soil composed of either alluvium or clayey silt, generally covered with a heavy growth of timber. Nearly all of the eastern portion of the State, except Crowley's ridge, which reaches from Helena to the Missouri line, overflows to some extent in times of extreme high water.