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OFFICE OF VIRGINIA STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY,

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA., AUG 31ST-1886 188
CHARLES E. BESSEY, Ph. D.
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA.

DEAR SIR;
AS VICE-PRESIDENT FOR VIRGINIA OF THE AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, I HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN CALLING A CONVENTION OF THE POMOLOGISTS OF THIS STATE, FOR THE 8TH & 9TH SEPT. ,PROX., TO MEET AT CHARLOTTESVILLE, WHICH IS THE CENTE OF OUR FRUIT BELTS. ONE OF THE SUBJECTS WHICH WE NEED THE MOST LIGHT ON IS THAT WHICH YOU SO ABLY PRESENTED IN YOUR POPULAR LECTURE AT GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. ABOUT A YEAR AGO NOW, WHERE I HAD THE PLEASURE OF BEING INTRODUCED TO YOU.

AND NOW I BEG TO ASK THAT YOU WILL OFFER TO US OF THE "OLD-DIMINION" SUCH A PORTION OF THAT LECTURE, OR ANY OTHER, OR SUCH A PAPER ON THE SUBJECT OF INJURIOUS FUNGI AS WILL BE CONVENIENT TO YOU TO GIVE US. WE ARE VERY MUCH IN NEED OF ANY, EVEN THE LEAST INFORMATION, FOR WE SUFFER GREATLY FROM THE RAVAGES OF THIS ENEMY IN ALL ITS DEPARTMENTS. THE GRAPE ROT BEING ONE FROM WHICH WE SUFFER GREAT FINANCIAL LOSS.

WE HAVE INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING IN THE STATE WHICH RECEIVE THE PATRONAGE OF ITS PEOPLE THROUGH ITS TREASURY, AND AT THIS CONVENTION IT IS EXPECTED THAT WE WILL SUCCEED IN ESTABLISHING A NUCLEUS TO EXPERIMENT DEPARTMENTS IN THOSE INSTITUTION.

HORACE GREELY SAID; YOUNG MAN, GO WEST, BUT VIRGINIA VERY CLEARLY SAYS TO HER SONS; YOUNG MAN, DRAW UPON THE WEST, FOR INSPIRATION, AND PRACTICAL LESSONS IN DEVELOPED SCIENCE IN POMOLOGY, AND APPLY THEM HERE AT HOME; AND YOU WILL MAKE MONEY.

IF I SEE ANYTHING RIGHTLY, IT IS THIS AND I MAKE FREE TO CONFESS IT, AND TO ASK YOUR EFFORTS IN OUR BEHALF. IT WILL BE GREATLY ACKNOWLEDGED AND CAREFULLY REGARDED.

FAITHFULLY YOURS.
HENRY L. LYMAN,
DICTATED. PRES.