REPORTS FROM LOCAL SOCIETIES 117 



I am aware there are objections to the use of such a cart, but it lias the ad- 

 vantage of being cheap and capable of spreading water very rapidly, and of 

 being used on ground a portion of which might be as high or higher than the 

 reservoir. In such case of course the lower portions of the ground would be 

 selected as the proper place to load. When circumstances would permit, I 

 would suggest a plan illustrated in the American Agriculturist of December, 

 1873, for distributing the water. It is exactly the reverse of draining, that is, 

 the tiles are laid the same as for draining and Idled from the reservoir, and 

 allowed to soak away, and thus moisten the ground. 



Mr. Corner described a plan consisting of large tanks, similar to those on 

 railroads, with pipes running therefrom, having places where a hose and 

 sprinkler could be attached. 



Mr. Hamilton thought the tanks and pipe would be too expensive, and spread- 

 ing with a hose and sprinkler would be too slow. After a short discussion of 

 the subject by others, it was, on motion of Mr. Hamilton, decided to proceed 

 at once to miscellaneous business. 



A committee consisting of Messrs. J. S. Owen and H. H. Goodrich, was ap- 

 pointed to examine and report on some peach buds brought in by Mr. Corner. 



Some criticisms having been heard from outside parties on the action of the 

 Society in publishing a certain report on peach buds brought in at our last 

 meeting, in which it was stated that fifty per cent, of one variety was killed, the 

 President called the attention of members present to the fact. Several mem- 

 bers gave as their opinion that there would be nothing gained by attempting to 

 cover up facts, and the sooner it becomes generally known that we do nut in- 

 tentionally add to or omit from the reports of this Society anything which 

 might mislead, the better it will be, believing as we do that the plain, unexag- 

 gerated facts concerning the advantages of this locality as a fruit region is as 

 good a recommendation as we need or wish for. There certainly appears to be 

 nothing alarming in the fact that a single variety from one particular orchard 

 was reported half killed, when all other varieties were reported in a much better 

 condition, and when also many intelligent fruit growers believe that if one-half 

 or even three-fourths of all our peach buds were killed there would still be left 

 as many as the tree ought to bear. It is well known that even in the most 

 favorable seasons a portion of the buds seem to be killed. 



The remaining sessions of the year were occupied with questions pertaining 

 to the shipment of fruit, size of packages, and other matters of only local 

 interest. 



M. B. Williams, Secretary for ' 7 6 . 



INGHAM COUNTY FARMERS' CLUB. 



The Farmers' Club of Mason, Ingham county, take a large interest in mat- 

 ters connected with the raising of fruits, and the following abstract of their 

 work during the year is given, with supplementary papers. 



OFFICERS. 



•The following are the officers elected for 1877: 



President — A. F. W r ood, Mason. 



Vice Presidents — James Fuller, Vevay; P. 0. address Mason. John Gear- 



