THE XIXETEEXTH AXXUAL ^lEETIXG. 101 



Albert Jackson inquired as to the feasibility of planting plum trees in 

 depressions of the peach orchard. Mr. Hamilton told of the success of 

 J. P. Wade of Ganges in this practice, even with the TTild Goose, which 

 fertilizes better than when planted alone. He advised the pulling out of 

 peaches of small or unproductive sorts and the planting of plums in their 

 stead. 



EEPOET ox president's MESSAGE. 



The following report upon the president's message was read and adopted : 



Mr. President and Gentlemen of the State Horticultural Society: 



Your committee to whom was referred the president's address would recommend: 



(1.) That the portion relating to the extension of horticultural work in the newer 

 portion of the state be placed m the hands of the secretary of this societj', to be disposed 

 of as may in his judgment be for the best interest of all concerned. 



(2.) That the part referring to the relations of this society to the Detroit International 

 Exposition be referred, as the president suggests, to the executive board of this society. 



(3.1 That as to the portion relating to the division of pomology, in connection with the 

 agricultural department at Washington, we urge that we as a society request of our 

 members of congress that they use all reasonable means to secure larger appropriations 

 and more effective action. 



In accordance with the suggestion relating to the appointment of a suitable person or 

 committee to call the attention of our members of congress, we recommend that the 

 society take immediate action. 



Further, in view of the great importance of the horticultural interests of the state, 

 and the commanding influence and position they have attained, we heartily approve of 

 the recommendations in regard to a proper representation upon the state board of agri- 

 culture. 



All of which we respectfully submit. 



C. A. Sessions. 

 Wm. H. Payne. 



D. L. Gakver. 



NEEDS OF POMOLOGY IN NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTUEE. 



President Lyon called upon C. AY. Garfield to open the discussion uj^on 

 that part of the address which referred to the bureau- of pomology in the 

 department of agriculture at Washington. Mr. Garfield said: 



" I recognize the fact that it is a great deal easier to criticise a method than to origi- 

 nate a better one, and that often we are too ready to find fault with men who manage 

 affairs, not knowing the difficulties that beset them, or appreciate their endeavors, per- 

 haps, to bring about the very state of affairs for which we are clamoring. But we are 

 all aware, also, that an administration is moulded in its purposes largely by the emphat- 

 ically stated wishes of those who are considered able advisers. It is in pursuance of this 

 last thought that I briefly call your attention to the division of pomology in the national 

 department of agriculture and ask you to consider thoughtfully the resolutions the 

 adoption of which I shall move at the close of my remarks. 



" The advance made in American pomology has been, up to this time, the voluntary 

 contributions of individuals or societies devoted to the cause. A great deal of credit is 

 due to the efforts of public-spirited men like Warder, Thomas, Wilder, Gold, Barry, 

 Brackett, Budd, Gibb, Munson, Berckmans. and Lyon, and the proceedings of the Amer- 

 ican Pomological society are the records of the rapid progress of our pomology for the 

 past forty years. All honor to the men and organizations that have accomplished so 

 remarkable results. The department of agriculture, which as organized in 1S64:, and 

 for some years thereafter accomplished little beyond the gathering of statistics and 

 bringing into line an array of facts with little cohesiveness, has gradually differentiated 

 its work until specialists are now laboring in limited fields with able assistants, and 

 rapidly, by means of wide observation and carefully conducted experiments, securing 

 information of inestimable value to the agriculture of our country. It was with this 

 excellent work in view that prominent fruitgrowers urged the organization of a special 

 division, the efforts of which should be confined to pomological work. 



