GENERAL HISTORY. 69 



The disposal of the life membership fund upon the motion of W. L. Web- 

 l)er, made in executive meeting in February, 187G, came up for consideration, 

 accompanied by a communication from the mover, giving reasons for the 

 same. By a vote of the society the motion was lost. 



Professor Cook being necessarily absent the Secretary read a paper pre- 

 pared by him for this meeting on *^The Imported Cabbage Butterfly," 

 {Pieris i-apae, Schrank,) which had then just made its appearance in eastern 

 Michigan. The professor stated that it was imported into Canada from 

 Europe, in 1857 or 1858. It was observed and taken at Quebec in 1859, and 

 from that place as a center it has rapidly spread to the west, and more rapidly 

 to the south, reaching Washington some years since, entering Michigan in 

 1876, and Chicago, Illinois, in November, 1877. 



A short discussion was had as to the possibly deleterious results from using 

 the trimmings from young trees as cionsforthe propagation of nursery stock. 



The testimony of Messrs. Moody, Merriman and Ilgenfritz was favorable to 

 such practice. 



The committee on apples reported that by actual count there were four 

 hundred and sixty-one plates of over one hundred varieties, and perhaps ten 

 not named. In closing, the committee remark: ''We wish we could do 

 more to stimulate people to show none but good, nice specimens. We have 

 overheard some here saying how much better they could have done if they 

 had only tried. When picking fruit, hunt up the perfect specimens and 

 take extra care of them. Look for specimens of fair size of the variety, per- 

 fect shape and color, without spot, worm, or blemish. Leave the stem on. 

 This li a grand show of fruit for this time of the year." 



The society adjourned to meet at South Haven, in June, at the call of the 

 president and secretary. 



The executive board accepted the invitation to hold the annual meeting in 

 December, 1877, at Grand Rapids. 



On June 19th to 31st, 1877, pursuant to adjournment, the society met at 

 South Haven. 



The Avelcoming address was delivered by C. J. Monroe, and responded to 

 by H. Dale Adams on behalf of the society. 



The executive committee, at a session held during this meeting, determined 

 to follow the practice of the Agricultural Society by placing division super- 

 intendents in charge of the several portions of the exhibit, under the direc- 

 tion of the general superintendent. 



J. P. Thompson, secretary of the State Agricultural Society, read a paper 

 entitled " What is the use of a State Pomological Society ? " 



Following this, a lengthy discussion arose upon the question : " How far 

 ■can we control the bearing year in our apple orchards ? " 



Thinning or removing the young fruit, twisting or bending the branches, 

 and the use of special manures were all suggested and in some cases favorable 

 results were mentioned, but no generally accepted plan was suggested. 



Professor Beal responded to the next topic: '' What Native Trees are Best 

 Adapted to Plantations about a Home?" His preferred trees for such pur- 

 pose were Yellow Oak, American Elm, Basswood or Linden, Tulip tree or 

 Whitewood and, in its proper place. Blue Beech, Sugar Maple, White Ash, 

 Pepperidge or Sour Gum. Among evergreens, Red or Norway Pine, White 

 Pine, White Spruce, and Hemlock Spruce. 



On Wednesday morning the first business was the report of the committee 



