IN MEMORIAM.

WILLIAM TANNER

He

Died at his home in Leavenworth, Kas., January 22, 1896, aged 77 years. was the organizer and first President of this, the first Horticultural Society west of the Mississippi river. In the Kansas Farmer, January, 1867, appeared the following letter from his pen, signed "Pomologist."

KANSAS POMOLOGY.

"Editor Kansas Farmer: Under this head I wish to make a suggestion to the fruit-growers and vine-dressers of this state, with the view of organizing a society, to be denominated The Kansas Pomological Society.

"That such a society is much needed, all will admit. Many know that our people are continually being imposed upon by unscrupulous tree-venders, who are recommending and selling to them varieties of fruit-trees and plants that are entirely unsuited to our climate, as well as under erroneous names. By uniting together we shall acquire strength for ourselves, and be enabled to impart that kind of knowledge needed to thousands of new beginners who are about to commence fruit-growing in our young and favored state.

"My object in writing this is not so much to advocate the great want of such a society, or the amount of good that would be derived from it, as it is to try and devise a practical plan of organizing, under the adverse circumstances in which most of us are placed, scattered to all parts of the state, without money or other facilities of getting together at present to discuss and organize, as is usual in more favored communities. I propose that the editor of the Kansas Farmer act as our secretary, while we try the experiment of organizing, which I believe may be done in the following manner: Let every orchardist, fruit-grower, vinedresser, gardener, nurseryman and amateur in the state who wishes to become a member of the society, send his name and post-office address, with 25 cents, to the editor, for assisting us in organizing, who will publish in the Kansas Farmer the names of those wishing to become members. From the published names let each member select his candidate for a president, vice-president, secretary, corresponding secretary, and treasurer, and send his vote to the editor. Let him count, and in the succeeding number of the Farmer announce the candidates elected, who shall serve as such for one year from the 10th day of January, 1867.

"It shall then become the duty of the secretary, with the assistance of the corresponding secretary, to prepare a constitution and by-laws, which should be drawn up with a view to strict equality in membership and economy in finances. Any member could offer in writing any suggestion in framing the constitution and by-laws. When such constitution is finished and submitted to and approved by all the officers-elect, and so announced through the Kansas Farmer, it shall be considered the valid constitution until an opportunity occurs to have it submitted to a vote of the members of the Society, and a majority of the whole vote shall adopt or reject the same. I think it would be well, in selecting the officers, to have all parts of the state represented. As the business would be principally done by correspondence, no inconvenience could arise from it, as 'Uncle Sam' will carry our letters 1,000 miles for the same price as one mile, and while stage and railroadfare is so extravagant, we may find some pleasure in having a chat now and then on paper.

"Hoping the editor will consent to assist in organizing, I close by saying, let every one come promptly forward, as we are organizing in a work that interests all. The publishing of this article will be the watchword to act. Send in your names."

The above letter was written by William Tanner, and he was rightly chosen as the first President. The next year the name was changed to The Kansas State Horticultural Society, and for three years more William Tanner served faithfully and energetically as its President. To know how well Wil

liam Tanner builded, one has now to look at the head of the great horticultural column. Kansas fruit is known and appreciated all over the civilized world. Kansas cannot afford to forget the name of William Tanner. Many less worthy men have had enduring monuments erected to their memory, but the living monument of fruitful orchards throughout this state will ever proclaim William Tanner as one of her noblest citizens.

J. W. BYRAM.

Born at Dayton, Ohio, August 26, 1825. Died in Oklahoma, April 11, 1894. He joined the State Horticultural Society in 1879, and was an active member to the last. Was always ready to take any part assigned him, or do any duty required of him for the good of the society.

Appropriate resolutions were passed, and a lengthy obituary was read at the twenty-eighth annual meeting.

Born

ROBERT HAY.

died at Junction City, Kas., December 8, 1895. He was long an active member of this Society. He read a paper on "Geology" at the Fort Scott meeting, in December, 1894, and at the time of his death was preparing a paper on "The Development of the West the Prosperity of the East," to be read at the approaching meeting at Lawrence. He was ready to add his mite to the last.

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

TWENTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING,

Fort Scott. December 11-13. 1894.

The Society was called to order by President L. Houk at 10 o'clock a. m., with a few appropriate remarks, and the appointment of the following committees:

On Credentals.-E. P. Diehl, W. T. Jackson, C. M. Irwin.

On Programme.--Samuel Reynolds, E. J. Holman, H. S. Coley.

On Membership.-H. J. Newberry, General Rice.

Resolutions.-C. M. Irwin, G. M. Munger, J. L. Treadway.

Obituary. Samuel Reynolds, A. Willis.

Suggestions for Good of the Society.-G. W. Bailey, M. Allen, J. F. Cecil. Constitution.-B. F. Smith, F. Wellhouse.

Addresses and Reports.-J. W. Robison, Francis Goble.

Exhibited Articles.-F. Holsinger, E. J. Holman.

Auditing Accounts.-F. Wellhouse, E. P. Diehl.

SECRETARY BRACKETT'S REPORT FOR 1894.

Mr. President and Members of the Kansas State Horticultural Society:
We assemble again as the representatives of the horticultural interests of
Kansas, and our deliberations should be most thorough and guarded. Our
sister states are also deeply interested in our work.

Eastern orchardists are looking with great favor on the valleys along the Arkansas, Kaw, and other rivers. These, with their subirrigation, yield as fine apples as the world ever saw. Their fertility develops size, and our sunny autumn brilliant coloring, maturition and most excellent quality. Thousands of fruit-trees are being planted in such localities by Eastern men, and the future will not disappoint their expectations.

I note a singular condition among apples this season, in some localities, largely confined to the Ben Davis, viz., abortive seeds. The apples attained large size, seemed sound externally, but on squeezing in the hand were found unsound internally; on cutting open, the core was found blackened, and in many cases not a seed had formed. Such apples are keeping badly, and packers are hurrying off their stock, in some instances at a loss. This condition, it is claimed by some writers and scientists, occurs through a weakened or debilitated pollen, which results from the attack of a fungus upon the flower. Spraying. This method of protecting our product has "come to stay," says

(11)

Professor Bailey, of New York, and is one of the admitted necessities for success. Its possibilities and the best methods of practice are not yet fully determined; but that it is a move in the right direction is a settled question. 'Tis true that it may not be needed in all years in all localities, but taking one year with another it has proven generally a great saving of marketable fruit throughout fruit-growing regions.

During the last year a new insecticide has been discovered, which promises to be a rival of Paris green, London purple, etc. It is known as "gypsine." As this matter properly belongs to the Committee on Entomology, I will drop it with this brief notice.

On motion, the following committee was appointed to secure rooms in the capitol for the use of the Society: F. Wellhouse, Topeka; E. J. Holman, Leavenworth; Edwin Taylor, Edwardsville.

On motion, the Secretary was ordered to move the office to capitol as soon as rooms are secured.

Adjourned to meet at 1:30 p. m.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

Wednesday, December 11, 1894.-1:30 p. m.

President Houk in the chair. The Treasurer's annual report for 1894 was then presented, as follows:

January 1, 1894, by Treasurer, traveling, stationery, post-
office and notarial..

$28 70

June 30, Martin Allen, as per bill.

26 50

November 18, Secretary Brackett, for postage on pro-
grammes

4.00

Total

$59 20

Balance in treasury, $95.03.

FRANK HOLSINGER, Treasurer.

On motion, the above report was referred to the Auditing Committee.
Next was taken up

ORCHARD CULTURE.-By E. J. Holman, Leavenworth.

Orchard culture means care of the tree from the nursery until cut away. The life of the tree and the profits of the orchard will be measured by the care given. This assertion we assume will be agreed to by all intelligent horticulturists. Our soils are nearly all good for tree-growth; the exceptions being worn-out, undrained and hard-pan soils. The first great requisite, after preparation of soil, is planting at proper distance apart, say from 30 to 48 feet each way. Nurserymen recommend close planting for protection, and the removal of alternate trees when they infringe to their injury; and large orchardists are cited as authority. But orchardists, can you give a small per cent. of close planters who have properly, and in time, thinned their trees? Our section is full of closely-planted orchards; the trees are stunted, dwarfed, gnarly, crowded and incapable of producing the best fruit.

To prove this, one has only to notice this year the increased drought-resisting power of trees with most room. Close planting has been the cry for years. But in view of ruined orchards and worthless fruit, and of thousands of younger orchards tending the same way, is it not the duty of horticultural writers, journals and societies to call a halt on close planting? Many orchards may yet be saved for years of profit, by vigorous thinning, judicious trimming, careful cultivation of the soil, applying ashes or other manures broadcast and harrowing in. The idea that a lone tree cannot protect itself against sun and wind is erroneous.

DISCUSSION.

F. Wellhouse: I plant closely one way, intending to cut out alternately when they interfere. A family orchard can be kept in good condition by frequent manuring; but this is impractical in a commercial orchard. I allow all weeds to grow among the trees and twice a year run a heavy rolling cutter over the land, breaking them down and chopping them up, thus making a fine mulch and enriching the land. An orchard planted in 1876, given this treatment, produced the finest crop in 1894, and the trees kept in good health. The land is good upland corn or wheat soil. I believe apple-trees are as longlived in Kansas as elsewhere when properly cared for. Early decay is caused by excessive late fall growth. In 1894 our crop was quite free from codlingmoth, but the "apple-cucurlio" was numerous and damaging. Spraying does not check them. Plowing among trees damages the surface roots. Better seed the land to red clover when trees are five or six years old. Red clover and alfalfa are nitrogenous plants, yielding much plant-food.

The President: Mr. Holman struck a vital point when he recommended liberal distance between trees. I planted 600 trees 20x20 feet, which fruited in 1886, and have been reasonably fruitful since, and yielded in 1894 a fine crop. These trees will soon have to be thinned. Wood-ashes are a valuable fertilizer, but are in limited supply.

F. Holsinger: My orchard has not been cultivated for 10 or 12 years. I last plowed it about six inches deep, and the result was a fine crop of fruit, free of insects. I first plowed as early in spring as possible, next, at the time the leaves opened, and across the first.

Mr. Saxe: In 1871 I planted an orchard of Ben Davis and Willow Twig, 30x30 feet; they bore fine crops for many years. Most of the Ben Davis are dead. The Willow Twig now crowd each other. Fifteen years ago I planted 135 Ben Davis and 125 Willow Twig and Genitan, 19x19 feet. Close planting yields more fruit per acre during first years of bearing. My land is prairie, sloping northeast. Kansas soil is rich in plant nutriment and organic matter; little nitrogen is needed until fruiting begins. Pear-trees do well mulched with corn-stalks, both in health and yield of fine fruit.

Jacob Faith: Wood-ashes are more valuable in an orchard than barn-yard manure. Willow Twig planted 20x20 feet will interlock quite young. Plant trees 30x15 feet, and cut out alternate ones when they interlock. This will leave them 30x30 feet.

Frank Goble: The Ben Davis is the best for commercial purposes. Its bark bursts near the ground. This variety should always be given the best locacion.

P. Moyer: The life of trees may be extended and the crop increased and improved by trenching or deep plowing before planting. Mulching encourages formation of surface roots, which are liable to injury during winter.