GENERAL HISTORY. 131 



A long and animated discussion followed, covering almost the entire sub- 

 ject of orchard management. 



Joseph Lannin, of South Haven, followed with a paper on " Where and 

 How to Plant Peach Orchards." 



Under the question " Where," he mentioned elevation and freedom from 

 excessive moisture. In considering "■ How," twenty feet apart was given as 

 the distance, a thorough preparation of the soil, procuring trees in autumn, 

 heeling in and planting in spring, careful cultivation and a wise selection of 

 varieties, were the means proposed to insure success. 



A spirited and discursive discussion followed, but mainly upon the question 

 of the ability of the fruit buds of the peach to withstand low temperatures. 



On Thursday evening E. W. Allis, of Adrian, entertained the audience 

 with a series of stereopticon views, in illustration of economic entomology, 

 accompanying them with an address upon the " Value of Training in Natu- 

 ral History to the Youth upon the Farm," treating of the importance of 

 study, how, where and when to study, and of its benefits. 



" Arbor Day — What Shall be Done to Increase its Popularity and Useful- 

 ness," was the next topic, the discussion of which was opened with an ad- 

 dress by A. C. Glidden, of Paw Paw, and was followed by a general discus- 

 sion, which, however, was all on one side — in favor of planting. 



The Friday morning session opened with the discussion of ''Injurious In- 

 sects, and How to Fight Them." The discussion took a somewhat broad 

 range, but developed little if anything that could be called new. 



"How Can we Increase the Yield of Potatoes?" was the next subject dis- 

 cussed, the discussion being wholly upon the propriety of cutting the seed. 



" How and Why shall we Increase the Interest of Young People in Horti- 

 culture?" was the subject of a paper by Mrs. Perry Mayo, of Marshall. 



E. M. Potter, of Kalamazoo, followed with a paper on ''Young People 

 and Horticulture." 



Both the above were happily conceived and well written, containing many 

 excellent illustrations of the happy influence of employment, and especally 

 horticultural employment, upon the young. Both the papers and the subse- 

 quent discussions dwelt upon the importance of creating an early feeling of 

 responsibility and even ownership in the minds of the young. 



The Friday afternoon session opened with some account, by Secretary Oar- 

 field, of the plan adopted by the society for the organizing of local branch horti- 

 cultural societies, after which the chair was occupied by President Hubbard, of 

 the County Horticultural Society, and a paper was read by H. J. Edgell, of 

 South Haven, on "Highways and their Improvement," in which, and in the 

 subsequent discussion, the deficiencies of our present highway laws, and the 

 practice under them were considered, the advantage of wide-tired wagons 

 and various other particulars were discussed. 



"Sheep Husbandry" next occupied the attention of the audience for a con- 

 siderable time. 



Professor Tracy followed, discussing "The Importance of Breeding Good 

 Seeds." 



The tendency of the address and of the discussion thereon was to indicate 

 that careful selection of seed is a very important aid to improvement in both 

 the amount and the quality of resultant crops. 



On Friday evening A. D. Healy and T. T. Lyon submitted their reports as 

 'delegates to the New Orleans meeting of the Mississippi Valley Horticultural 



