540 STA.TE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



interesting subject for study. In the vicinity of Matherton, for instance, the 

 wire-grass — Eleusine Indica — which has come all the way from India, has driven 

 out nearly all other species of grass, covering the roadside as with a carpet. 



The writer made a plea for the cultivation of native shade and ornamental 

 trees, as being in many respects better than the foreign ones introduced for 

 that purpose. He commended as especially deserving of cultivation the blue 

 ash, Kentucky coffee tree, black sugar maple, and corky white elm, and among 

 shrubs the wahoo, American bladder-nut, the varieties of the service or shad- 

 bush, choke-cherry, snow-ball, flowering dog-wood, and American crab-apple. 

 Among the climbers he made favorable mention of the ampelopsis, climbing 

 bittersweet, moonseed, clematis, and varieties of green briar. The writer also 

 mentioned the native wild-flowers, describing the appearance and beauties of 

 several of those better known. 



In conclusion, Mr. Wheeler made an urgent plea for a more general and 

 thorough study of botany in general^ and of the native plants of Michigan in 

 particular. There is no lack of text-books, and the materials for a successful 

 prosecution of the study are abundant and inviting upon all hands. 



WEDNESDAY— EVENING SESSION. 



Ionia, Dec. 4, 1874. 



The Pomological society met last evening, the attendance being quite large. 

 The first business was the election of officers for the ensuing year, but after 

 more than an hour spent in a vain effort to elect a president, the whole matter 

 was postponed. 



Hon. Alonzo Sessions was then introduced, and delivered a brief address 

 upon the subject of "Wheat Culture in Ionia County." After giving a con- 

 densed history of its early cultivation, noticing the hardships and disadvan- 

 tages under which agriculturists then labored, the speaker stated that wheat 

 had been raised in the following order: First, Red ChaflF, an almost worthless 

 variety; second, Flint, which was a very nice white wheat, produciug well, 

 and manufacturing a large proportionate amount of flour; the Soule was next 

 in order, and was a decided favorite both with the farmer and manufacturer, 

 and retained the preference until the appearance of the midge, which nearly 

 destroyed the entire crop, and in this locality this variety had almost entirely 

 disappeared. The Treadwell and Hutchins had been tried only to be abandoned 

 as unsatisfactory. The variety that experience has proved to be best is the 

 Diehl, which, when sown early on well prepared ground and with favorable 

 weather gives satisfactory results. The speaker recommended early sowing on 

 well cultivated ground. The main dependence of the farmer is his wheat 

 €rop ; it furnishes his supplies, if he has any, generally speaking. With the 

 improved methods of cultivation wheat could be raised at a small profit, even 

 at present prices, with favorable weather. 



THE CENTENNIAL. 



Prof. J. C. Holmes, of Detroit, in behalf of the committee on the Centennial 

 Exhibition, reported the following: 



Resolved, That the Michigan State Pomological Society deem it expedient to exhibit hor- 

 ticultural products at the Centennial Exhibition to be held in Philadelphia in 1876, provided 

 a suflScient amount of funds can be raised to meet the necessary expenses. 



Ji^^olved, That the society extend an invitation to local horticultural societies to co-op- 

 erate with it. 



