GENERAL HISTORY. 147 



The earlier portion of the session was devoted to answering a variety of 

 •questions. 



The committee to examine the specimens presented by President Saunders 

 reported respecting the head of wheat and cliess, that the microscope revealed 

 the fact that there was no connection by growth, but that a hand of chess had 

 become so entangled with a head of wheat that it had been torn loose 

 from its own head, leaving its small pedicel confined behind a hand of the 

 head of wheat. 



The committee report, in the case of the apple, that russet spots on apples 

 are as common on almost all varieties as freckles on the human face. Pro- 

 fessor Spalding thought they might be due to pollenization, but, in this case, 

 no russet tree was in the neighborhood. President Saunders thought such 

 variations might, more naturally, be attributed to bud variation. 



A short paper was read by Professor James Satterlee on ''Judging Fruits 

 at Fairs." The paper was supplemented by a somewhat full discussion, more 

 particularly of the duties and qnalifications requisite for judges. 



W. W. Tracy, of Detroit, spoke at length on the subject of "Making Hor- 

 ticultural Displays," illustrating his remarks by large charts, showing the 

 modifying influences of position upon the appearance of articles exhibited 

 and the best modes of constructing and lighting buildings intended for exhi- 

 bition purposes. 



The afternoon session was opened by the reading of correspondence from 

 persons unable to be present, after which half an hour was devoted to answering 

 questions. 



President Wm. Saunders, of Ontario, then spoke of the "Habits of Our 

 Friendly Insects," which he considered under two heads, those which prey 

 upon other insects and devour them, and those which deposit their eggs on 

 or in the skin, the eggs hatching within and preying upon the body of the 

 insect attacked; also explaining why in some cases an injurious insect 

 increases greatly for a time only to be followed by the corresponding increase 

 of its parasite. 



Professor A. J. Cook followed with a short paper on "Insecticides for Bark 

 Lice," devoted to different modes of applying kerosene soap mixture and 

 bisulphide of carbon, and to the description of a machine of his invention for 

 the rapid application of these substances underground. 



In speaking of the apple maggot {Trypeta pomonplla, Walsh), he says: 

 "This insect was first described by B. D. Walsh seventeen years ago it the 

 American Journal of Horticulture. Since that time we h^ve heard much of 

 it as a great scourge in New York and the New England Stati s. In the 

 west, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, it has, however, been known only as 

 infesting our wild haw or thorn-apple. Last year I received specimens of 

 it from Delavan, Wisconsin, with the information that it was doing great 

 damage. This year (1884) the enemy has attacked us on our own ground. I 

 know from personal observation that in Ingham and adjoining counties it 

 has wrought: considerable mischief, and if we may use the experience of our 

 -eastern friends as a criterion, it is safe to say that the end is not yet. 



Robert L. Hewitt, of Lansing, followed with a paper on "Horticultural 

 Statistics," in which plans were developed for securing these. 



A. C. Glidden moved that the paper be accepted and its views adopted as 

 the sense of the society. 



"Grapes and Grape Kot'^ were discussed by D. W. Beadle, of Ontario. He 



