Report of the Necrology Committee

REPORT OF THE NECROLOGY COMMITTEE

IRENE McMAHON O'BYRNE ed measures are standard practice in many crop producing areas of the State. He described With the passing of Irene McMahon over 30 new species of thrip and built up a O'Byrne, the beloved wife of our president department collection of many thousand of Frank M. O'Byrne, The Florida State Horti insects. There are more than fifty papers in cultural Society has lost a beloved friend. Her the file on thysanoptera. His name appears as life will always be an inspiration to those of author of several Experiment Station bulletins us who knew her. Our hearts go out in sym and numerous papers on pests of citrus and pathy to our friend and associate in his loss. other crops. Professor Watson was a charter Mrs. O'Byrne devoted her life generously to member of the Florida Entomological Society her state and her community. Her devotion to and its first President. He was Editor of the high ideals of service will live on in the Hospital Memorial Home of Lake Wales. Her Florida Entomologist. service to Florida health will be an inspira He was a fellow of American Association tion to all our members and to her host of for Advancement of Science. A fellow of the friends. She delighted in the tropical beauty Entomological Society of America, a member of Lake Wales and much of the tropic bloom of the American Ecological Society, The Flor of her home town is due to her untiring ef ida State Horticultural Society, Sigma Xi, forts. Friendship has been our gain and her Phi Kappa Phi and a past president of the Athenaeum Club of the University of Florida. passing is our loss. Born September 6, 1887 The Society regrets deeply the passing of Died April 18, 1946 such loyal and valuable members.

JOSEPH R. WATSON HERBERT JOHN WEBBER

Joseph R. Watson died June 6th, 1946 at With the death of Dr. Herbert John Webber Gainesville, Florida, where he had lived since on January 18, 1946, the Florida State Hor 1911. His life was spent in teaching and in ticultural Society lost one of its most re field of applied entomology. Previous to coming nowned honorary members. At the same time, to the Florida Experiment Station he received horticulturists throughout the world lost a be his B. S. degree from Baldwin College and loved and respected leader whose scientific his A. M. from Western Reserve. He attended imagination, enthusiasm, and resourcefulness the University of Chicago. Was assistant in were of inestimable value to the advancement structor of biology at Adelbert College. Later of science in his chosen field of endeavor. The he was instructor at Berea College, Kentucky, greater part of Dr. Webber's work was in and Rochester College, Indiana. From 1907 to the field of applied science, and the farmers 1911 he was professor of biology at University and fruit growers of this country are as much of New Mexico. indebted to his long and useful life as is the . Mr. Watson had served Florida as head of research profession. the Department of Entomology of the Agri Dr. Webber was born in Lawton, Michi cultural Experiment Station for 35 years. He gan, on Dec. 27, 1865. His boyhood was spent initiated the development of biological control on his father's farm in Iowa when the pioneer using predators and parasites. His recommend- development of that state depended on the

1946 (157) 158 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 1946

rugged and substantial character of its people ment Station. Again his pioneer spirit and in both the mental and physical response which vision enabled him to build this new institu they made to their surroundings. His formal tion on broad and sound fundamental policies education in Iowa, then in Nebraska, and at which have endured and unfolded with notable Washington University in St. Louis finally was success during the past thirty years. rewarded by his receiving the Ph. D. degree He was an ardent believer in the goodness in 1890. Subsequently, the University of Ne and helpfulness of his fellow men, and, as a braska bestowed the honorary degree of Doc part of his early endeavor to help the fruit tor of Agriculture upon him in 1913, and the growers of California, he was active in or University of California paid him the honor ganizing for the first time the annual institutes of giving him the degree of LL.D. in 1943. which serve several different crops; including Dr. Webber had a varied and interesting citrus, avocados, and dates. These two last career and held many positions of honor and mentioned crops were barely started in a com responsibility in educational and research ca mercial way, but Dr. Webber's enthusiasm pacities. He became a resident of Eustis, Flor carried along the early meetings, and his ida, in 1892, when in the service of the United optimistic faith in their future was the inspi States Department of Agriculture. From then ration of many pioneer planters of dates and until he left the Department in 1907, his en avocados. His high regard for the value of thusiasm for his work in citrus culture and the Florida State Horticultural Society to his sincere, friendly regard for the hoticul- that state, and a similar society to the apple turists of Florida greatly endeared him with growers of western New York, gave him faith many people of the state. This* friendship was in the promotion of similar activities in Cali to endure for the next fifty years and to be fornia. revitalized by occasional visits to Florida after Dr. Webber's writings were a notable por his duties had called him far afield. tion of the scientific articles on agriculture It is not practical, within the space avail and horticulture during a period of fifty able, to describe in detail the,accomplishments years. Perhaps his crowning achievement was of this long and useful life. Dr. Webber re the contribution of several chapters and his tained the optimistic pioneer spirit, which was editorial guidance in the publication of volume * so ingrained in his boyhood experiences, to I (History, Botany, and Breeding) of The the end of his career. In 1907 he became Pro Citrus Industry. He was busily engaged in fessor of Experimental Plant Biology at Cor his editing of volume 2 of this work when nell University. That endeavor soon resulted death overtook him after an illness of only in a growing and respected department of a few days. He had completed the writing of Plant Breeding, one of the first such divisions two chapters, one on nursery methods and to be established in a state agricultural col the other on rootstocks, for this volume, and lege. He soon was surrounded by graduate had edited most of the chapters contributed by students and research workers, whose appre others. ciation for Dr. Webber's kindly, enthusiastic, His host of friends have had their lives en and stimulating leadership has become one of riched by their association with this lovable their most cherished memories. His reputation and inspiring personality. went far, and in 1913 he was called to Cali Leon D. Batchelor fornia to organize the Graduate. School of Riverside, California Subtropical Horticulture and Citrus Experi January 18, 1947 ANNUAL REPORTS

REPORT OF SECRETARY tary has been transferred to the account of May 2, 194'6. the treasurer, and hereafter will be handled All money previously handled by the secre- by that office.

TREASURER'S ACCOUNT

Statement of Financial Condition for Period Ending April 25th, 1946

Assets : Exchange National Bank: Cash on hand — savings account 130.18 Cash on hand — checking account $ 1,974.24

$ 2,104.42 6,718.50 Endowment Capital

Total Assets •. $ 8,822.92

Liabilities & Capital:

Memberships: Life •••••• 576-00 Patron ^50000 1,076.00

14.00 Contributions Earned Interest, Endowment .72 Interest Received on Savings 2.86 7,729.34' Capital Account

Total Liabilities & Capital $ 8,822.92

Statement of Receipts & Disbursements for Period May 16', 1945 to April 25, 1946, inclusive Receipts : Cash on hand May 15, 1945 (checking acc't.) $ 2,197.72 Memberships: Annual ••••■• 628-55 Sustaining •• 1.120.00 1,748.55

Proceedings Sales • 56.00 Ralph P. Thompson, Asst. Secy 130.00

$ 4,132.27

1946 (159) 160 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 1946

Disbursements : Stationery & Supplies 58.30 Telephone & Telegraph 123.62 Miscellaneous Expense 197.61 Convention Expense 268.50 Proceedings Expense 400.00 U. S. Savings Bond 1,110.00

2,158.03

Cash on Hand —April 25, 1946 (checking acc't) $ 1,974.24

Profit & Loss Statement for Period May 16, 1945 to April 25, 1946, inclusive

Income: Memberships: Annual 628.55 Sustaining 1,120.00 1,748.55

Proceedings Sales , 56.00 Ralph P. Thompson, Asst. Secy. 130.00

Total Income $ 1,934.55 Expenses : Stationery & Supplies ., 58.30 Telephone & Telegraph 123.62 Miscellaneous Expense 197.61 Convention Expense 268.50 Proceedings Expense 400.00

Total Expense $ 1,048.03

Net profit for the Period $ 886.52 ANNUAL REPORTS 161

REPORT OF AUDITING COMMITTEE which Mrs. S. L. Frisbie was present, in order to discuss the 1945 Proceedings. In We, the members of the Auditing Committee, order to facilitate publication hereafter, it beg to report that we have examined the books, was agreed to have a publication committee, vouchers, holdings and reports of the Treasurer the chairman of which to be the Secretary of the Society, for the period May 16, 1945 to and composed of the Assistant Secretaries April 25, 1946, inclusive, and find them to be and Vice Presidents. This group to work out correct. details of sending out proper proof and deter A. M. Tilden, Acting Chairman mining editorial policies. H. B. Snively On May 2, before the entire Convention, it W. L. Tait was agreed.to change the meeting time from spring to fall, to raise the annual dues from $2 to $3 and to have the next Annual Meet REPORT OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ing in October, 1947 at a place chosen by the Executive Committee. Four meetings of the Executive Committee were held during the past year. On December 4, at a meeting held in Winter Haven, Dr. Ralph L. Miller was elected to REPORT OF NOMINATING fill the office of Secretary. COMMITTEE It was agreed to send a complete set of the Proceedings to the University of the Philip Your Nominating Committee recommends pines in Manila to replace that destroyed by the following to serve as officers of the Florida State Horticultural Society during the coming the Japanese. On January 18, a meeting was held in Win year: ter Haven. It was agreed that all moneys be President, Frank M. O'Byrne. handled by the office of the Treasurer. Assist Vice Presidents, 1. Frank Stirling, 2. Earl ant Secretary Ralph Thompson was author W. Hart, 3. W. F. Ward, 4. Geo. D. Ruehle— ized to insure all copies of the Proceedings Krome Memorial Institute, 5. Dr. David Fair- child—Honorary Krome Memorial Institute, at $1 each. Life memberships were set at Lyle Dickman—Vegetable Section. $50 each. On March 20, a meeting was held in Miami, Secretary, Ralph L. Miller. Florida in order to make arrangements for Assistant Secretaries, Ralph Thompson, H. the coming Convention, April 30 to May 2. S. Wolfe, F. S. Jamison. The following members of the local commit Treasurer, Frank L. Holland. Sergeant at Arms, J. F. Alexander. tees were present: Miller T. Mercer Joe Powers Executive Committee, R. S. Edsal, C. D. David Hughes Norman Cox Kime, Lem P. Woods, Floyd Wray, Dale Tal- Jack Faircloth Frank Stirling bert, L. R. McLain, chairman. C. A. Bass Floyd Ray There being no nominations from the floor, Mrs. Cora Link George Ruehle the above officers were unanimously elected. Miss Margaret J. Mustard It was agreed to have no speaking at the banquet, to accept an invitation to Fairchild REPORT OF THE RESOLUTIONS Gardens, to have name tabs for visiting mem COMMITTEE bers, and to arrange for a trip to Cuba for those wanting to go after the Convention. WHEREAS: The Florida State Horticul On April 30, at the beginning of the Con tural Society adopted a resolution at its 58th vention, an executive meeting was called at Annual Meeting calling on its officers to at- 1G2 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 1946

tempt to organize the Citrus Industry repre State Horticultural Society, individually and sentatives in the States of California, Texas collectively, communicate with their repre and Florida to finance and direct an investi sentatives in Congress and request that they gation into the cause and means of spread of use their influence and direct their efforts to the "Tristeza disease" of citrus trees on Sour the end that: Orange Stock, and 1. Senate Bill 1990, providing for amend WHEREAS: Texas and Florida remain the ment to the National Plant Quarantine Act only states committed to this investigation of 1912, so as to provide the Secretary of under the direction and at the expense of their the USDA with authority to regulate more respective states, now therefore be it effectively the entry of foreign plants, be en RESOLVED: That the Florida State Hor acted into law; ticultural Society in session at Miami, Florida, 2. The appropriation for the Department's this second day of May, renews its demand for an early investigation of this serious dis foreign plant quarantine enforcement in the ease and calls upon the Governor and his sum of $1,552,000 now before Congress be cabinet and all departments of the State gov increased by $200,000, to enable the Depart ernment charged with the protection of our ment to expand the defense against entry of horticulture to cooperate to see that this in foreign plant pests through employment of ad vestigation is financed and instituted at the ditional personnel to make surveys in foreign earliest possible date and that.it be continued countries, so as to obtain first hand informa to a successful conclusion, and be it further tion as to pest conditions present therein, and RESOLVED: That the United States De to develop suitable means for the treatment partment of Agriculture be invited to cooper of imported commodities; ate in this investigation. 3. The Department be provided with funds necessary to complete the eradication of citrus canker from the several states in which this RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE destructive disease has been reported during FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL the past several years. And be it further, SOCIETY AT MIAMI, MAY 2, 1946 Resolved, that the Secretary of the Society be, and hereby is, instructed to send copies Whereas, the prosperity of the state and of this resolution to all members of the Flor nation's horticultural and agricultural inter ida Congressional delegation, to the Honorable ests is dependent in large measure upon pre Clinton Anderson, Secretary of Agriculture, vention of entry of additional plant pests capa and to Dr. P. N. Annand, Chief, Bureau of ble of increasing the annual loss now caused Entomology and Plant Quarantine, U. S. De by introduced pests and estimated to be $!,-• partment of Agriculture. 500,000,000 annually, and Whereas, Florida, by reason of its geo graphical location is exposed more than most FINAL RESOLUTIONS states to the introduction of insects and dis eases from tropical countries; its climate is The members attending the 59th Annual such as to permit the ready establishment and Meeting of the Florida State Horticultural spread of such pests as may be introduced; 'Society in Miami, April 30, and May 1 and and its transportation facilities, particularly 2, wish to express their thanks to the follow air traffic, are so highly developed as to mag ing: nify very greatly the possibilities of introduc 1. To Miller T. Mercer and David Hughes, tion of alien plant pests; therefore be it and their families and friends who so ably Resolved, that the members of the Florida directed the activities of the local committees ANNUAL REPORTS 163 in making efficient arrangements for the 5. To the many speakers who have accepted meeting. invitations to take places on our program. 2. To the city of Miami, and particularly 6. To the University of Miami, and par Joe Powers and Norman Cox for their efforts ticularly Margaret J. Mustard for their as in management of the Convention. sistance and courtesies. 3. To the Columbus and McAllister Hotels, 7. To Dr. David Fairchild for his courtesy who through their many courtesies helped in arranging a trip and a tea at Fairchild make the meeting a success. Gardens. 4. To the local and state papers and radio Respectfully submitted, stations for assistance in publication of the meetings. RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE DECEASED MEMBERS

Thomas Barbour

Forest P. Lindley

Irene McMahon O'Byrne

Alexander Ray

Joseph R. Watson

Herbert John Webber