GENERAL HISTORY. 95 



December 2d to 4th, 1879, in acceptance of the invitation of the Allegan 

 County Pomological Society. 



After the welcoming address of President H. Dewey, of the local society, 

 and a few words in response by President Lyon, 



R. T. McNaughton, of Jackson, read an essay on "Habits of Observation a 

 Practical Assistance to the Fruit Grower," which was followed and discussed 

 by L. A Lilly, of Allegan. 



E. Haigh, jr., of South Haven, also followed with an essay on the same 

 subject, the discussion of which was continued by James Satterlee, of Green- 

 ville, and Mr. Potter, of Kalamazoo. 



The president's annual address was then read, inviting criticism upon the 

 society's catalogue of fruits as now published, as a means of suggesting any 

 needful changes, and bringing it to a more permanent condition. 



The necessity of more complete cooperation on the part of local societies, 

 and of a more extended membership, was urged, and the propriety of declar- 

 ing a position as member of the executive board vacant in case of continued 

 absence from its meetings was suggested. 



W. A. Brown, of Stevensville, opened the discussion on the " Influence of 

 Local Horticultural Societies upon Communities." 



The subject was well discussed, with great unanimity of opinion as to the 

 beneficial influence of both local and general societies. 



On Wednesday morning the resignation of Geo. Parmelee as member of 

 the executive board was received and accepted. 



Professor Beal read his paper, given before the American Pomological 

 S )ciety, at Rochester, N. Y., in September last, on " Describing Apples by 

 their Flowers." 



A lengthy discussion followed, and the essayist was freely plied with ques- 

 tions. He doubted if trustworthy determination of varieties in nursery rows 

 could be made, in most cases, from peculiarities of twig, bark, stem and leaf, 

 but thought that valuable aid to nomenclature might be found in the blossoms. 



''The Grape Vine Thrips" came next under discussion. A commuaica- 

 tion from S. B. Peck says, among other things: " Instead of flying into the 

 fire, as they ought, they fly from it. The scent of burning tar and tobacco 

 under them seems not even to disgust them. Drenching with tobacco tea, 

 lime and sulphur solution, dilute carbolic acid, and even kerosene seems 

 harmless to them. They are at their old haunts as soon as the scent passes 

 off". I have hung strong smelling herbs on the grape vines, tansy, cedar 

 boughs and even stramonium in vain; have tried concussion as has been 

 recommended, by firing a gun under them, which simply astonished them." 



Among numer*>us other suggestions, Thomas Petty, of Spring Lake, had 

 prepared common strong wall paper stretched upon a light rectangular frame 

 and smeared with coal tar. This was carried along the windward side of a 

 row, while he scared the insects from the row against it. When they strike 

 the tar they are there, and you have the satisfaction of seeing your enemy 

 caught. The paper was soon so covered with them that it needed another 

 coat of tar. 



" D stances Apart for Planting Fruit Trees and Plants" was next discussed 

 by E. Buell, of Kalamazoo, followed by several others. Wide divergence of 

 practice was developed, but no definite conclusions were reached. 



" Scales of Points for the Judging; of Fruits and Orchards " were next 

 considered, but very little was developed save the unreliability of results 

 based upon them. 



