The Earle family : Ralph Earle and his descendants

308 THE EARLE FAMILY [Eighth
to his present home. The industry which has since made that town
famous, had then made a very small beginning. With the rapid and
immense development of it Mr. Earle has been intimately connected.
He and his sons are now, probably, the largest pear and small-fruit
growers in the West, having some two hundred and fifty acres
planted to these crops.
Mr. Earle has been particularly successful as a commercial horti-
culturist, supplementing his efforts at fruit raising with much study
of the best methods of marketing his products. His leisure has not
been sufficient to enable him to write profusely upon horticulture ;
but at different times he has contributed somewhat regularly to the
Rural New Yorker, the New York Tribime, the Cotmtry Gentleman
and the Prairie Parmer.
Although his practical work has been mostly confined to the grow-
ing of fruits for market, he has always been deeply interested in all
other branches of horticulture, whether ornamental or economic. It
is no doubt due to a recognition of this genuine interest that he has
so often been called upon to preside over the deliberations of horti-
cultural societies. He was president, during its existence, of the
Southern Illinois Fruit Growers' Association, was twice president of
the State Horticultural Society, and was elected to the same office by
the Mississippi Valley Society at its organization, a position which
he still holds, having been annually re-elected.
The Mississippi Valley Society is now the largest horticultural
society in the country, and we may say in the world, embracing, as
it does, twenty-five States and Territories in its field ; and it was
probably on account of his prominent connection with this society,
that the Board of Management of the World's Exposition at New
Orleans, last Autumn, sent to him to confer concerning the organiza-
tion of a horticultural department. He proposed plans for a very
comprehensive exhibition, which should, as completely as possible,
represent the horticultural wealth of all nations. His plans were
substantially adopted, and he was requested to organize the exhibi-
tion on a liberal scale. On the behalf, and with the assistance of the
Mississippi Valley Horticultural Society, he undertook the task, and
having received the appointment of Chief of the Horticultural
Department, he has since given unremitting attention to this work.
The children of Parker and Melanie (Tracy) Earle were :
2771-1. Franklin S. Earle, b. Sept. 4, 1856.