No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 151 



for honorary mcmbersliiii in lliis Association the name of one 

 who has been well and favorably known to the farmers and horti- 

 culturists of this State for twtmty-seven years. I nominate the ex- 

 Secretary of Agriculture, Thoa J. Edge. 



Mr. Cooper. — I desire most heartily to second this nomination. 

 There is no name in the State that more deserves the honor of elec- 

 tion to membership. 



Mr. Edge was elected unanimously by rising vote. 



Mr. Edge briefly thanked the society for the honor. 



QUESTION BOX. 



1. ''Could the keeping qualities of the Northern Spy be prolonged 

 by grafting it on the wood of some long-keeping variety?" 



Mr. niester. — I would say, no. 



2. ''Is Eleagnus.longipes of practical value as a commercial fruit?" 

 W. H. Moon. — 'No, none but for ornament. 



S. C. Moon. — I have had some experience with it and claim it 

 is more valuable than the currant bush. It has a small berry, of 

 pleasant taste, one seed and will make a jelly superior to the cur- 

 rant. It has, in some sections, been received as a remarkable ac- 

 quisition, and I believe it quite valuable for family use. I am sur- 

 prised that it is not more generally known. 



W. H. Moon. — While a highly ornamental shrub, I cannot recom- 

 mend it. It is subject to insects and diseases. 



3. ''What is the best size package for, peaches, pears and apples?" 

 Mr. Hiester. — This question v/as submitted by mj'self. I ordered 



some twenty-pound handle baskets the past season and when they 

 came they held only eighteen pounds. They were objected to in 

 some localities, and I w^as told to put fruit into other baskets. I 

 have some on hand which I fear I cannot use. 



Mr. Wertz. — I used quite a number last year. I w^rote to different 

 manufacturers and was told that they were reduced in size to con- 

 form to State laws. 



REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON EXHIBITS. 



Mr. Hiester, Chairman of Committee on Exhibits, submitted the 

 following: 



Your committee would respectfully report that while there was 

 quite a large collection of apples from various parts of the State, 

 owing to the unfavorable season, the fruit in size, quality and gen- 

 eral appearance fell far below the standard of Pennsylvania fruit as 

 usually shown at meetings of this Society. The display, however, 

 furnished an excellent object lesson to the members, as they were 

 able to compare the seyeral varieties of wi^ter apples and note the 



