358 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



bers settled down to a thorough investigation of the causes of the decline 

 of competent labor in the rural districts. In these discussions the ladies^ 

 took a valuable part and theories were advanced that would seem to prove 

 that good indoor help was redeemable. In regard to outdoor help the out- 

 look was not so promising. The cities could pay more than the country. 

 This, with other attractions, was constantly drawing the best help from 

 the country, lea\4ng a less intelligent, and consequently more dangerous, 

 element for the farmer's help. One way out of the difficulty seemed to be 

 in reduced hours of labor. 



The afternoon session contrary to the usual custom ran over the allotted 

 time and the president again had to announce that it was time to adjourn; 

 the subject was to be continued in May. 



MAY MEETING. 



The May meeting was held at the grange hall in Paris. The attendance 

 was light but much interest was shown when discussing. The topics were 

 " Sweet co'rn and peas: varieties, methods of culture, and marketing," and 

 "management of newly planted trees." 



President Garfield called the meeting to order. The secretary read a 

 communication from S. E. Keifer, stating that illness in his home would 

 make it impossible for him to entertain the society at the June meeting. 

 Spring onions were exhibited with the roots on, and although the system 

 of marketing was perhaps not quite so showy, the public would be greatly 

 benefited if they would buy for worth and not for beauty. As soon as an 

 onion root is severed from young, tender, spring onions, the volatile oil 

 escapes and the most essential part of their worth is lost. They soon wilt 

 and become tough. The secretary expressed sorrow for the lack of knowl- 

 edge exhibited by growers as well as the public in this respect. 



The president read a valuable paper on various matters of importance; 

 first, upon the importance of an early preparation of exhibits for the 

 Detroit Exposition; secondly, some words of commendation for the 

 efforts of S. S. Bailey to give the public the benefit of his experience with 

 new sorts of strawberry, and lastly showing how utility and beauty can 

 be either won or lost in our methods of tree planting. At the close of this 

 interesting paper, Mr. Garfield exhibited some buds of asparagus that had 

 been broken off. This was, he claimed, the proper way to market the 

 crop, as that cut below the ground is too tough to eat. Mr. Garfield also 

 advocated the method of buying and selling by the pound. This way had 

 considerable promise of coming into use, and many present expressed a 

 wish to see the system early adopted. 



Upon coming to order in the afternoon session, S. S. Bailey called 

 attention to the merits of the different kinds of strawberry he had on 

 exhibition and called especial attention to his favorite, Maggie. 



The labor question was again resumed, but only proved a repetition of the 

 ideas advanced at the April meeting, and the president announced that no 

 more time at present could be devoted to that question. 



The best varieties of sweet corn and peas, to plant, and how to plant, 

 developed much interest and occupied the greater part of the afternoon 

 session, but before closing "Spray pumps and nozzles" proved a great 

 concern to a few orchardists in one corner of the room. 



