GENERAL HISTORY. 179 



The exhibition from the Agricultural College, by Prof. Bailey, was interesting, espe- 

 cially the seventy varieties of tomatoes raised from seed obtained from the diflerent 

 seedsmen of the country, for the purpose of comparison and detecting fraud. We notice 

 some old varieties with new names. 



I was sorry that for lack of time I could not make a more careful examination of the 

 exhibit, and give a more detailed report. 



I cannot close these brief remarks without expressing my appreciation of the hearty 



reception given me, and of the hospitable entertainment, and the courteous, gentle- 



manlj^ treatment, and the warm fraternal feeling extended to me by all with whom I 



had the pleasure of becoming acquainted. 



Very respectfully, 



G. B. BRACKETT. 

 Denmark, Iowa, November, 1886. 



The audience then listened to the reading of a paper from P. 0. Reynolds, 

 of New York, entitled 



FEWER ACEES OF SMALL FRUIT, MORE FRUIT TO THE ACRE. 



Speaking of unremunerative prices for small fruits, he suggested, as a 

 cause, the abandonment of the thorough processes of horticulture proper, 

 and the substitution of the more diffusive and less effective practice of the 

 average agriculture of the country, with the inevitable result of a corre- 

 spondingly diminished product in both quantity and quality. 

 ^ A letter was also read from tlie editor of Orchard and Garden, suggesting 

 that a supply of the commercial demand required not the employment of in- 

 tensive methods only, but of extensive ones as well, and proposing to escape 

 the exactions of middlemen by the organization of Fruit Growers' Unions. 



Thomas L. Brown, of Grand Eapids, followed in advocacy of the intensive 

 system. 



S. D. Willard, of New York, remarked upon the profitableness of high 

 manuring. 



The session closed with the announcement of the usual committees. 



On Wednesday morning, December Ist, at the opening of the session, a 

 committee on nominations was appointed, and on receiving their report the 

 following officers were elected by ballot: 



President — T. T. Lyon, South Haven. 



Secretary — Charles W. Garfield, Grand Rapids. 



Treasurer — S. .Vl. Pearsall, Grand Rapids. 



Meinhers of Executive Board — W. K. Gibson, Jackson; H. W. Davis, 

 Lapeer. 



ARE MICHIGAN APPLES DETERIORATING ? 



was the subject of a general and somewhat prolonged discussion. That the 

 question must be answered affirmatively seemed to be universally conceded. 

 While some suggested the increase of insects, or the modification of climate 

 from removal of forests as the cause, the fact was freely admitted that, al- 

 most everywhere, the deterioration of the soil was ro be acknowledged as the 

 chief cause. 



UPON WHAT DOES THE FUTURE SUCCESS OF APPLE GROWING DEPEND ? 



was the topic of a paper read by J. N. Stearns^ of Kalamazoo. 



