STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 77 



Mr. Freeman — I was passing an orchard once that seemed to me 

 perfectly clear from these pests. The owner said he had not done 

 anything except to whitewash them for 16 years. He had done that 

 in the spring, and they were as clear as they could be, if they were 

 only two or three years old. 



Dr. Furnas — Is there any danger whatever of this soft soap injur- 

 ing the tree ? 



Dr. Hull — No danger whatever. I apply it with a paint brush. 



Mr. Galusha — I move that further discussion of the varieties of 

 fruits be dispensed with until the other business has been finished. 

 There are subjects of most vital importance to fruit growers to 

 which we have given veiy little attention. These subjects underlie 

 the whole process of growing with regard to soils and their proper- 

 ties, atmospheric effects and changes, dryness and humidity. These 

 subjects arc practical and are of more importance to us than dis- 

 cussing varieties of fruits. 



Carried. 



REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE, 



Mr. Foster, from the Special Committee on President's Address, 

 made the following report : 



Your Committee to whom was referred the President's Address^ beg leave to 

 report, that to i-emedy the evil effects of drought, deep subsoil plowing, mulching, and 

 timber planting throughout the country, especially of evergreens, are the best pre- 

 ventives. Vox- soil ivasJiing off by rains, underdraining, and mulching, and in some 

 cases grass sod and mulching are preferable. 



As to grafting on different kinds of stocks, hybridizing and new seedlings, we 

 would recommend a special committee to confer with the Professor of Horticulture at 

 the Industrial University. 



Canada Thistle and noxious weeds, W'e recommend to refer to the committee of the 

 whole Society. Let every member feel it his duty to enforce the good and stringent 

 law for the suppression of the thistle, by making individuals liable to good wholsome 

 penalties for allowing it to grow upon their land. 



We also recommend a special committee to confer with secretaries of county agri- 

 cultural societies, or other county officers, to ascertain the extent of the spread of the 

 Canada Thistle in their county, and advise them of the importance of having the law 

 •enforced . 



