82 GENERAL HISTORY. 



the following thrust at this society: '' Members of the Pomological Society 

 of Michigan, you represent one of the all important interests against which 

 the schools of our State are virtually closed, and if their doors are ever 

 opened in that direction, you, not we, must open them." 



This brought the society to the hour assigned to the discussion of " Horti- 

 cultural Education in Michigan, and Experimental Horticulture at the 

 Agricultural College." 



Judge Ramsdell was expected to lead the discussion, but was necessarily 

 absent, merely sending a letter instead, the reading of which was followed by 

 a paper from T. T Lyon, upon ''The Educational Needs of Pomology, How 

 shall they be provided for, and Where ? " Suggesting, among numerous 

 other things that, should climate or other circumstance prove an obstacle to 

 the proper teaching of pomology at the college, it could be taught in part or 

 n whole elsewhere, or the usual process of literary institutions in the con- 

 erring of additional degrees could be employed by requiring a certain amount 

 of physical practice and the preparation of a thesis as proof of the requisite 

 proficiency. 



The paper closed with the remark: "We cannot conceive a justification 

 short of absolute impracticability for the neglect or failure of the State to 

 provide for the building up and encouragement of an interest so important 

 in its pecuniary and commercial results." 



Profess »r Beal followed with a paper entitled, "Teaching tlorticulture and 

 Horticultural Experiments at the Michigan Agricultural College," in the 

 course of which he carefully detailed the modes and processes of instruction 

 during the term in this department. 



A somewhat lengthened discussion followed, which was participated in by 

 President Abbot, F. M. Holloway, J. Webster Childs and Eugene Pringle, 

 and the subject was closed by a letter from W. W. Tracy, of Old Mission, 

 on "The Kind of Work Needed in Horticulture," urging that we have 

 gained very little in horticulture beyond what was known one hundred or 

 more years ago, and that professional work at the college should look rather 

 to the elaboration of new and important principles and results than to the 

 telling and re-developing of matters that we are all capable of working out 

 for ourselves. 



On Wednesday morning the subject of "Forestry for Michigan" was before 

 the society for discussion. 



After a few remarks by the secretary, Professor Beal offered a j^aper 

 answering the questions, "Shall we Begin to Grow Plantations of Trees?" 

 and "How Shall we Make the First Efforts?" 



After answering the first question affirmatively, ho remarks: "The best 

 sorts are going fast; especially is this true of black walnut, white ash, tulip 

 tree, hickory, the best clear pine, rock elm, white oak, etc.," and follows 

 with variou'* suggestions as to kinds and methods. 



0. R. L. Crozier, of Hudsonville, followed with a paper on the same gen- 

 eral subject, and this again was followed by 



H. S. Rogers, of Volinia, in cont-nuation of the discussion. 



Several cases were mentioned of forest plantations already commenced. 



The afternoon session was opened by reports from local horticultural 

 societies; such reports were made by the Coldwater Horticultural Club, the 

 Oceana and Lake Shore Plorticultural Society, the Washtenaw Pomological 

 Society, the Lake Shore Pomological Society, the Grand River Valley Hor- 

 ticultural Society and the Volinia Farmers' Club. 



