176 GENERAL HISTORY. 



Mr. H. S. Thiers described a • 



WIRE TRELLIS FOR PEAS, 



devised to determine its cost ?.s compared with other modes of training. The 

 wire proved to be the least expensive, even counting the first year only. 

 Mr. C. L. Hinebaugh was then called upon and gave an object lesson on 



LOCATING EN^TRAXGE WALKS AND DRIVES, 



illustrating it with a sketch made from the grounds of the college. 

 The last paper was by Theo. A. Stanley., on 



EXPERIMKNTS UPON GERMINATION OF SP:EDS^ 



undertaken to determine the correctness of certain theories, and the influence- 

 of certain substances in promoting germination. 



The committee reported a creditable display of articles, including apples, 

 strawberries, dried Japanese persimmons by Kizo Tamari, illustrating the 

 method of preserving in his country, also a machine for pruning strawberry 

 runners, deemed worthy of notice. 



The report was accepted and adopted. 



The report of the committee on resolutions was also submitted and adopted, 

 after which the society adjourned. 



The seventeenth annual fair of the Michigan State Horticultural Society 

 was held in the city of Jackson, jointly with that of the State Agricultural 

 Society on the 13th to 17th of September, 1886. 



The hall was that occupied at Kalamazoo last year, which had been removed 

 to Jackson for the purpose; but its capacity proved insutlicient, and a con- 

 siderable number of plant exhibits were shown in main hall and in the presi- 

 dent's office — a state of things quite inconvenient for examining committees. 



A new feature of the exhibit of fruits this year was an educational collec- 

 tion of fruits, including many unknown or little known varieties, whether 

 valuable, attractive or otherwise, all correctly labeled, but competing for no 

 premium; and with an expert (Mr. A. G. Gulley) at hand to give informa- 

 tion when desired. 



A portion of the central space was sodded to represent a miniature lawn 

 upon which lawn bedding was illustrated by plants in position. Kibbon bed- 

 ding was also illustrated on a portion of the same, by means of cut flowers, 

 etc. 



Insects and insecticides were also shown by Professor A. J. Cook; micro- 

 scopes and botanical illustrations by Professor Beal ; and tomatoes and grapes 

 by Professor P.ailey. 



Another new feature was the offer, in division B., of a premium for the 

 most artistic and attractive arrangement of fruits, flowers, plants, vegetables 

 grasses and cereals, to occupy a specified amount of side wall, with correspond- 

 ing ceilmg and table room. 



The Dumber of entries exceeded one thousand. 



The executive board had for several years been discussing the expediency 

 of the removal of the bars {i\nn tlie front of the exhibition tables as a means 

 of economizing space, but had hesitated, fearing that the fruit might provft 



