GENERAL HISTORY. 157 



The following note from Matthew Crawford, of Ohio, was read by the 

 secretary : 



"Some months ago, at your request, I promised to write a paper on the 

 'Influence of Pollen on the Size, Form, Color and Flavor of Fruits.' So far 

 as the strawberry is concerned I have had excellent facilities for making obser- 

 vations, and I have yet to find any good evidence that the influence of pollen 

 extends beyond the seed." 



The discussion was continued by the reading of a paper from T. J. Burrill, 

 of Illinois, on "The Fertilization of the Strawberry," which indicated no 

 perceptible variation from cross fertilization. 



On the other hand a paper on "The Influence of Pollen," from A. S. 

 Fuller, of New Jersey, mentioned notable cases of such modification. 



Similar results had been reached by Thomas Wilde, of Michigan, and J. L. 

 Budd, of Iowa, in the course of their experimentations. 



F. M. Hexamer, of New York, read a paper from E. Williams, of New 

 Jersey, on "Cross Fertilization of the Strawberry" in the use of the Jewell 

 fertilized by the pollen of several varieties, used separately, with no indica- 

 tions of modification. 



The reader closed with the remarks: "These cases are not evidence that 

 pollen may not have a direct influence. No amount of such evidence can 

 counteract one case of direct evidence. Formerly it was the non-scientific 

 who retarded progress; but there is such a thing as scientific men retarding 

 progress by refusing to recognize new truths until practical men have 

 demonstrated them. Dr. Hexamer then referred to the well known fact 

 that, in animals, a male will have an influence on the female which may 

 appear in her offspring for several generations afterward." 



The committee on fruits exhibited reported awards of 



THE WILDER SILVER MEDAL TO 



Michigan State Horticultural Society, for a general collection of fruits, 

 consisting of 838 plates. 



Ohio Horticultural Society, for collection of 114 plates. 



Missouri State Horticultural Society, for collection of 211 plates. 



Ellwanger & Barry, Eochester, New York, for 140 varieties pears. 



Benjamin G. Smith, Cambridge, Mass., for 61 varieties pears. 



Pfter M. Gideon, Minnesota, for 28 varieties crab apples and apples of his 

 own origination. 



Field & Osborn, New Jersey, for collection of cocoanuts grown by them in 

 Dade county, Florida. 



W. J. B-al, Michigan, our retiring secretary, recommended in considera- 

 tion of his valuable and untiring services. 



THE WILDER BRONZE MEDAL TO 



Henry M. Engle & Son, Pennsylvania, collection of fruits and nuts. 

 A. J. Caywood & Son, New York, for three new seedling grapes. 

 Geo. W. Campbell. Ohio, for six new seedling grapes. 

 W. W. Thompson, Georgia, for pears, grapes, figs, Japanese persimmons 

 and pomegranates. 

 A. Black, California, for four new seedling pears. 



