GENERAL HISTORY. 159 



Charles A. Green, of New York, folloTved with a paper on '-'The Hardiness 

 of Fruits," in which the idea was hekl forth that the same plant in a severe 

 climate will, by a gradual process, become increasingly hardy, and may thus 

 'become suited to more trying surroundings — a result, by some at least, deem- 

 ed quite unlikely to occur. 



A paper entitled " Small Fruits," from E. Williams, of New Jersey, was 

 next read. 



After naming six essential qualities required of fruits of this class, he 

 adds: "No mere money consideration should induce any one to introduce a 

 new fruit unless it possesses some points of superior merit over those of the 

 same class now befoie the public, and no true horticulturist would do it. And 

 yet these prospective profits and money interests are often the most promi- 

 nent inducements to allure purchasers, and, as a rule, the poorer the fruit 

 the more prominently this feature is presented. These remarks will apply 

 as well to our large fruits as to the small ones." 



Again he remarks: " A forward movement is taking place all along the 

 line, and they who fondly stick to the Concord, as the best grape in existence, 

 with those who accept the Hovey as the ideal strawberry, unless they accept 

 the facts as they exist and join in, will 'get left' most assuredly. To those 

 most active in this movement let me drop a word of caution, not to overlook 

 the fifth requisite (quality) I have named, but rather make it the polar star 

 of their efforts." 



A long discussion upon strawberries followed, confined to the list of mar- 

 ket varieties. 



The discussion of ''Blackberries " came next and was opened by a paper 

 from G. Cowing, of Indiana, the reading of which was followed by the dis- 

 cussion of varieties, after concluding which, 



" R ispberries " were taken up, and a very full discussion of varieties was 

 had, lasting till the close of the session. 



The evening session was devoted to the discussion of "Economic Entomol- 

 ogy," which was opened by a very interesting address from Professor A. J. 

 €ook, of the Michigan Agricultural College, fully illustrated by means of 

 charts and diagrams. 



On Friday morning the meeting was called to order by first Vice-President 

 Patrick Barry, and Commissioner Colman, of Washington, being present, was 

 called upon for some remarks as to what the department can do for horti- 

 culture and pomology. 



The commissioner addressed the audience at some length, and was listened 

 to with much interest. 



At the close of his remarks, W. J. Beal, of Michigan, offered the following, 

 which was unanimously adopted : — 



Resolved, That this society heartily commeads the action of Commissioner Colman, 

 •of the United States Department of of Agriculture in the appointment of a person to 

 investigate the diseases of plants, and desires to assure him of continued support in his 

 efforts to develop this new line of work in the department. 



Grapes were then taken up, and American Grapes were treated of by T. V. 

 Munson, of Texas, in a paper entitled, 



" Importance of Botanical and Other Scientific Knowledge to the Progres- 

 ^aive Horticulturist, and especially to the Viticulturist." 



This was a thoroughly scientific paper, and quite too exhaustive to warrant 



