REPORTS OF DISTRICT AND LOCAL SOCIETIES. 529 



Treasurer E. C. Phillips made his report. One year ago there was 

 $49.60 in the treasury. During the year $59 was received and $52.20 

 expended, leaving $56.40 on hand. The report was received and adopted. 



Then the topic of discussion assigned for the meeting was taken up, and 

 ex-President Garfield called for a general expression of opinion from all 

 present. 



W. N. Cook spoke of the work of the horticultural commission of the 

 Columbian Exposition in decorating the cities along the route. As an 

 instance he mentioned that $1,500 had been appropriated by the commis- 

 sion for the decoration of Kalamazoo, and he suggested that something be 

 done in that direction for Grand Rapids. 



S. S. Bailey thought the experimental stations used too much science 

 and not enough practical work. He would like to see several kinds of 

 wheat and fruit distributed and tested. He thought the experiment sta- 

 tions could be made of more lasting benefit with the experience of the 

 farmers of the state than can possibly be obtained from the Agricultural 

 college, because the knowledge attained would be of more use to the old 

 people now present. He thought, too, that they did not sufficiently recog- 

 nize women. 



Ex-President Garfield explained the working of the experiment stations 

 and told how the $15,000 per year to each state had been expended, some 

 successfully and some as perfect failures. 



C. A. French of Grandville thought it no use to ask farmers for informa- 

 tion. He had found them so ignorant that they couldn't tell how much feed 

 it will take to fatten a lot of pigs, or how much milk a cow will give on a 

 certain amount of feed. 



After a few more explanatory remarks from C. W. Garfield, in regard 

 to the woi*k of experiment stations, and calling special attention to the 

 sub-stations at South Haven and upon the sandy pine barrens in Crawford 

 and Roscommon counties, he explained that the experiment stations had 

 horticulture and agriculture as the big end, but they had to humor the 

 scientists a little, and allow them to experiment on vexed questions, like 

 the sugar beet, for instance, and settle these questions forever and to the 

 satisfaction of everybody. 



H. P. Bennett recommended sending for bulletins from the New York 

 experiment stations, as he thought they were far ahead of those of the 

 Michigan station. He thought there was so much difference in cows and 

 their breeds that we should have a different kind of feed for each breed of 

 cattle. 



The executive committee was instructed to issue schedules for the com- 

 ing year setting forth the places of meeting and topics for discussion. A 

 vote of thanks was extended to Mr. Garfield and family for their hospi- 

 tality, and the association adjourned subject to the call of the executive 

 committee. 



After adjournment the subject of a city market was discussed by several 

 members, and the executive committee was asked to make that the topic 

 for the next meeting. 



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