GENERAL HISTORY. 97 



what is designated as book farming, and making reference to several books 

 and serials of value to those engaged in horticultural pursuits. 



George W. Bridgman, who was to follow in the discussion, failing to attend, 

 in a note to the Secretary, says, " Do not fail to insist that, to the horti- 

 culturist of Michigan, the best of all works are the Michigan Agricultural and 

 Pomological Keports." 



" Cultivating and Pruning Pear Trees " came next under discussion, which 

 was opened by Joseph Lannin, of South Haven. He would vary his style of 

 pruning to correspond with the habit of the variety. He would only plant 

 two varieties for market — Bartlett and Anjou. 



A. G. Gulley, of South Haven, had a little experience with the Angouleme. 

 " I had some trees of this variety which blossomed but bore no fruit. One 

 spring, before the swelling of the buds, I took off fully three-fourths of the 

 fruit buds from one of the trees. It was very full of bloom notwithstanding, 

 and it produced a good stand of fruit, while on the others, as usual, I had 

 nothing. In planting a pear orchard I would buy yearlings and cut them 

 down nearly to the ground, causing them to branch low." 



C. N. Merriman followed with an essay on "Pruning the Pear," which was 

 treated exhaustively. 



"Mutual Relations of Nurserymen and Fruit Growers" was the next sub- 

 ject of discussion, which was commenced by a paper from G. H. La Fleur, of 

 Allegan, and followed by one from E. M. Potter, of Kalamazoo. 



The discussion of the question closed with remarks from several persons, 

 and a final remark concurred in by several speakers, that the society's fruit 

 catalogue was exerting a powerful influence toward increasing the planting of 

 the best sorts. 



At the evening session the report of the fruit committee showed one hun- 

 dred plates of apples on exhibition and one plate each of pears and grapes, 

 adding, we regret exceedingly to find so many specimens containing worms, 

 or a record of their transactions. 



"The Culture of the Quince" was next discussed by Messrs. Sherwood, 

 Merriman, Lyon and Cook. 



"Are we not Lowering the Pomological Standard of Merit by too often 

 Applying the Market Test?" was the subject of a paper read by T. T. Lyon, 

 of South Haven. 



The idea of the essay was strongly corroborated by General Pritchard, as he 

 had observed in the Allegan market, in which, more recently, the dessert 

 fruits are rarely to be found. 



Senator Palmer, of Detroit, was called 'jon and said a few words of 

 encouragement. 



Mrs. J. D. W. Fisk, of Coldwater, contributed a good paper upon "Our 

 Native Ferns," which was read by the secretary. 



An inquiry respecting grape rot elicited several remarks, but little specific 

 information was elicited. 



Lyman Lilly, of Allegan, suggested that one dollar be made to cover a 

 membership in both the State and local society, but the proposal was not 

 acted upon. 



After the adoption of appropriate resolutions of thanks for accommoda- 

 tions, the society adjourned to meet at Hillsdale in February upon the call of 

 the proper officers. 



At a session of the executive board held at Allegan during the annual 



13 



