Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 8.djvu/342

 334 GEORGE H. HIMES. the fact that no move nas yet been made in Oregon towards organizing a State Agricultural Society. "California is wide awake to the advantages of developing to the fullest extent her agricultural resources, and when de- veloped, of letting the world know what they are; and there is no better way of accomplishing both than by the organizing of State and county societies, and the holding State and county fairs." In No. 2 of the Farmer, September, 1858, Amos Harvey, of Polk County, suggested "to the fruit-growers and nursery- men the propriety of holding a horticultural convention this fall at Salem, or some other central place." This idea the editor indorses strongly, and calls for a meeting to be he.ld in Salem on October 20, 1858 ; and asks fruit-growers who are willing to sign a call for such a convention to send him their names. Accordingly in the October number of the Farmer is found a call for a " Pomological Convention," at Salem, October 20, 1858, signed by the following persons : Clackamas County William Meek, Seth Lewelling, Henry W. Eddy, D. D. Tompkins, William Barlow. Marion County J. W. Ladd, Daniel Brock. Multnomah County Ellis Walker. Polk County Amos Harvey, J. D. Walling, William Ruble. Washington County D. J. Schnebley, James Johnson. Yamhill County E. B. Stone. Editor Walling declares himself to be greatly encouraged by the response thus made, and states that he has arranged for the attendance of a short-hand reporter at the convention. The convention was held as appointed, "The Fruit Growers' Association of Oregon ' ' organized, with Amos Harvey, of Polk County, president, and Chester N. Terry, of Salem, secretary. Altogether the meeting was a very successful one, as there were thirty-one exhibitors present, representing seven Willam- ette Valley counties. Among the exhibits there was a pound pear that weighed two pounds and two and a half ounces, and a squash which weighed 10414 pounds.