GENERAL HISTORY. 141 



At the opening of the afternoon session, W. K. Gibson, having been pre- 

 viously appointed first vice president, in pursuance of the recent amendment 

 of the constitution, was called to the chair, which he occupied till the final 

 adjournment. 



The first topic of the afternoon was opened by T. T. Lyon, who read a 

 paper upon the question, "What Shall We do with so Many New Varieties?" 

 in which he suggested that the mass of our people should let them severely 

 alone till their characteristics have been properly determined under the hands 

 of experienced cultivators. He also urged that by some means the hasty, if 

 not dishonest, putting forth of unworthy novelties should be discouraged and, 

 if possible, prevented. 



As a means of securing an expression of the views of the society on the 

 question, he closed by offering the following: 



Resolved, That as members of the Michigan State Horticultural Society we will , in 

 all ordinary cases, require the approval and indorsement of a horticulturist of kno\vn 

 reputation, not personally interested in the article, as a condition precedent to our pat- 

 ronage of any and all untested novelties that may be put upon the market. 



After a short discussion the resolution was unanimously adopted. 



"Seed Breeding" was discussed by W. W.Tracy, of Detroit, who illustrated 

 his subject by charts and blackboard drawings, and urged the application to 

 seed growing of processes of selection akin to those employed by the growers 

 of animals. 



John Abbott, of Lapeer, then read a paper on the " Growth and Care of 

 Orchards," which was followed by discussion, mainly upon the spraying of 

 orchards, and the proper material and apparatus for the purpose. Kerosene 

 emulsion and the Field force pump were specially commended for such pur- 

 pose. 



The evening session was opened with an interesting report from the com- 

 mittee on exhibits. 



R. S. Taylor, of Lapeer, then read a paper on "Utilizing the Waste upon 

 the Farm," following which, a discussion was had upon " Exhibits of Horti- 

 cultural Products," led by Professor James Satterlee, including the efforts 

 of the society to secure increased attention on the pfirt of exhibitors at fairs, 

 to the tasteful display and ornamentation of exhibits. 



"Masculine and Feminine in Horticulture" was the subject of an extem- 

 poraneous address by W. K. Gibson, of Jackson. 



A paper upon the same subject was then read from B. Gott, of Arkona, 

 Ontario. 



" Simple Ways of having Flowers in Winter" was the subject of a paper 

 read by Mrs. Alice R. Garfield, at ihe close ofVhich the reader was made the 

 recipient of a beautiful basket of flowers from the Lapeer city greenhouses. 



Following this came the report of the committee on resolutions, which 

 was adopted by a rising vote, whereupon the society adjourned. 



At a session of the executive board, held during the meeting of the society 

 at Lapeer, the secretary spoke of the maintaining of a monthly magazine by 

 the " Ontario Fruit Growers' Association," and of the important advantages 

 it afforded in the way of increase of memberships ; and invited a considera- 

 tion of the practicability of undertaking a similar enterprise by this society. 



The board also considered the matter of attempting to make an exhibit of 

 Michigan horticultural products at the New Orleans Exposition, but con- 

 cluded to await the action of the State commission. 



