GENERAL HISTORY. 87 



regard to tree, variety or season, in selecting a model plate of apples, I 

 ■would place great stress on the following points, about in the order and pro- 

 portion there indicated. I would not include a wormy apple as worthy of 

 notice in competition. First, quality, 10; second, condition, 10; third, 

 form, 5 ; fourtli, color, 5 ; fifth, size, 5." 



" Under q^iality I include flavor and texture ; under condition is included 

 the presence or absence of the stem, calyx, scabs, bad specks, bruises, rubbed 

 surface, fresh or wilted." 



The professor reinforced his position by communications on the subject 

 from John J. Thomas, Hervey Davis, Patrick Barry, and John A. Warder, 

 and followed with a series of illustrative points and rules both general and 

 special. 



0. N. Merriman, of Grand Rapids, followed with a valuable paper largely 

 devoted to the requirements of the markets, both American and English, 

 containing, however, the error or misapprehension that the State Pomological 

 Society, through its rules, treats extra size as a defect, which is only true in 

 case of unevenness of size between specimens upon the same plate. 



W. W. Tracy, of Grand Traverse, addressed the audience up(m "Arrang- 

 ing and Marking Out Orchards," illustrated by charts and by the model of 

 an implement employed to secure straight rows in planting the trees. 



On the afternoon of Wednesday reports of the officers respecting the State 

 fair were received, which were followed by that of the secretary, which was 

 full of thoughtful suggestions. 



A very full and valuable report was received from Professor A. J. Co^^k, as 

 entomologist of the society who, owing to other engagements, was unable to 

 be present. 



The special committee on the fruit catalogue reported verbally, which 

 report was accepted, and the catalogue adopted. 



The following officers were elected for the ensuing year : 



President — T. T. Lyon, South Haven. 



Seci'etary — Charles W. Garfield, Grand Rapids. 



Treasurer — S. M. Pearsall, Grand Rapids. 



Executive BoardS. B. Mann, Adrian; George Parmelee, Old Mission. 



Also the usual number of vice-presidents. 



Jonathan Periam, of the Prairie Farmer, read an essay on ''Winter 

 Protection." 



A letter from Nathan Shotwell, of Jackson county, was then read, urging 

 action in the devising of methods for destroying insects, especially the 

 codling moth. 



At the evening session A. G. Gulley, of South Haven, opened the discus- 

 sion on the "Yellows," giving the evidences on cure of the disease (the destruc- 

 tion of all infected trees). He supposed the almond tree might prove to be 

 exempt from the disease and in such case might prove useful as a stock on 

 which to work the peach; but even this hope is since found to be fallacious. 



A letter from W. A. Brown, secretary of the Michigan Lake Shore Fruit 

 Growers' Association, of Berrien county, was read giving a minute account of 

 the origin of the disease so far as known, and of its introduction into this 

 State, with its subsequent history here. 



The Lawton Pomological Society had devised a series of eight questions, 

 which were discussed, and, in part at least, answered in the course of such 

 discussion. 



