SOCIETY OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS. 211 



insect pests on our fruit trees, by spraying with arsenical and other 

 poisons has received much attention, and the experiments in many 

 cases were attended with marked success. This seems to be the 

 rfiost effectual way to stop the ravages of the codling moth, canker- 

 worm, curculio and many other of our worst insect enemies. With 

 the great facilities for doing this work that are now at our command, 

 1 look for a considerable increase in the number that will apply these 

 insecticides. If each one who experiments in this way would make 

 note of any special or pecaliar features or effects of his work, and 

 report it, much valuable information might thus be derived. 



Another extended field of work for our own and kindred socie- 

 ties, may be found in the eradication of troublesome and noxious 

 weeds from our farms and also from the country and village road- 

 sides. Good, well-cared for public highways are a sure indication 

 of a thrifty people. During the last decade this western country 

 has made very rapid progress in the improvement of its public roads. 

 Very many of the larger towns and villages have graveled or macad- 

 amized their streets, and where material was easily procured, in 

 many cases the roadways are graveled far into the country. But 

 we need a change in public sentiment in regard to allowing so many 

 vile weeds to grow and seed in our roadways and fence rows. 

 Some townships have begun the work by instructing their Road 

 Commissioners to carry out the law in regard to cutting out the 

 weeds in the highways. If this was done, very soon we would find 

 the farmers along the lines of these roads seconding their efforts, 

 and taking care of the weeds on their farms ; so that it would not 

 be long before this evil would, to a great extent, be corrected. 



Here is a fine opportunity for our society and its members to 

 do missionar}' work, and one that may be productive of much good. 

 There are many other subjects that I might mention, as worthy of 

 your consideration. We have the promise of a well-attended and 

 interesting meeting.- The program is a good one, that if fully car- 

 ried out, will give opportunity for much thought and discussion. 

 I will not consume more of your valuable time, but close with the 

 hope that each one will consider it his duty to do all in his power to 

 make our sessions instructive and profitable. 



Hon. .Jonathan Periam said he thought there were some matters 

 referred to in the President's address which were of exceeding inter- 

 est to the Society, and would suggest that a committee of three be 

 appointed by the chair to consider such points as they deemed of 

 importance, and make a report of the same to the Society. A mo- 

 tion to this effect prevailed, and the chair appointed Jonathan 

 Periam, J. V. Cotta and S. G. Minkler to act in that capacity. 



