500 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



to it than any and all other evergreens. I have, since it has been talked 

 about, as I have traveled over the State, photographed a great many Norway 

 Spruces of all ages and under various associations, and I am a stronger 

 friend to this evergreen than ever. Whatever reason they may have in the 

 East for defaming the Norway Spruce, we have every reason to befriend it in 

 Michigan. 



Prof. Cook — I would like to have Mr. Tracy tell how he would employ 

 evergreens on the farm. 



Prof. Tracy in a familiar way illustrated grouping for ornamental effects, 

 for protection of barns and buddings, and for screens; he showed how 

 waste corners of fields and angles in the farm could be utilized very effect- 

 ively with evergreens. 



The president announced the following committees: 



On exhibit — A. G-. GuUey, South Haven; E C. Phillips, Grand Rapids; 

 H. D. Cutting, Clinton. 



On resolutions — L. H. Bailey, jr.. Agricultural College; J. A. Pearce, 

 Grand Rapids; C. A. Sessions, Mears. 



It was suggested that there be a committee to nominate officers for the 

 ensuing year. Thereupon the society selected as such committee : A. J. 

 Cook, Agricultural College; C. T. Rosencranz, Flint; R. D. Graham, Grand 

 Rapids. 



Mr. Pefler was asked to describe the Wisconsin apples he had on exhibition, 

 which he did, and at the same time responded to a running fire of questions 

 from the audience. Society took a recess until 7:30 P. M. 



Evening Session. ^ 



The convention was called to order promptly by the president at the 

 appointed hour, and Secretary Garfield gave an account of his experience in 

 trying to interest the educators of the State in 



THE EMBELLISHMENT OF SCHOOL PREMISES. 



He said that at our February meeting in Hillsdale, one of the most interest- 

 ing and clearly cut discussions, was upon this subject; that the society, after 

 becoming wrought up by the enthusiasm of Profs. Drake and Uaynes, passed 

 resolutions instructing the secretary to correspond with Supt. Estabrook, of 

 the Board of Education and president of the State Teachers' association, 

 urging that this matter be given prominence in the State institutes and con- 

 ventions. He said that he had done all this, but there seemed to be no dis- 

 position on the part of those bodies to act in the matter. It was his own 

 view, that whatever we attempted in this direction be independent of edu- 

 cational organizations in the State. The value of X in a complex equation, 

 or the method of making a strong sentence was thonght of more impor- 

 tance the pupils's surroundings. 



Mr. Lyon — I still believe that our most promising method for success in 

 this direction lies in securing stimulating legislation. Let the legislature 

 provide that in cases where a certain amount is expended in successful orna- 



