EEPOKTS OF LOCAL SOCIETIES. 277 



the meeting, made by Messrs. E. II. Scott, J. ]). Baldwin, X. 13. Covert, X. 

 S. Foster, S. W. Dorr and D. ]j. Godfrey. The collection was noticeable for 

 the large size of the varieties exliibited and otlierwise handsome appearance. 



Ajjvil Meeting. 



The April meeting was chiefly devoted to the cultivation of small fruits. 

 The Rev. Benjamin Day read a paper on this subject. The free use of small 

 fruits was urged by Mr. Day, and he recommended their cultivation to all who 

 have a garden. The new and improved varieties of the various small fruits 

 were dwelt upon and contrasted with the old sorts. Especial stress was laid 

 on cultivating the ground thoroughly and often. The soil and location of 

 AVashtonaw county, Mr. Day believes to be particularly adapted to the 

 successful cultivation of small fruits. He said the time would come when this 

 locality would be noted for the culture of small fruits. 



Mr. J. D. Baldwin spoke favorably and enthusiastically of this branch of 

 fruit culture and believed it to be more profitable than apple culture. Only 

 the best varieties ought to be planted, and the business well managed in all its 

 departments. Mr. Day has worked up a large plantation of the Cuthbert 

 raspberry and was asked by Mr. Bnldwin how it paid him. Mr. Day replied 

 that he could not give exact figures, but believed 8300 to 8500 per acre can be 

 realized from this variety. The Cuthbert is perfectly hardy, and a good 

 shipper, two essential points for success in the cultivation of the raspberry. 



President Scott said that we had men in our midst who push the cultivation 

 of the peach, some the pear, some the small fruits, but he rose to defend the 

 cultivation of the apple. This has been the leading fruit for the past forty 

 years, and he believes it will be one of the most profitable fruits cultivated in 

 the future. Small fruits, Mr. Scott contended, can be grown in localities 

 where the apple does not succeed, but wherever the apple fi.ourishes it is the 

 leading fruit. 



Mr. N. B. Covert gave his observations on the tent caterpillar and other 

 insects injurious to the apple, and mentioned different kinds of birds that are 

 favorable to the fruit interest. Breaking or tearing the nest of the tent 

 caterpiller with a fishing rod, then jarring the trees, which causes the worms 

 to fall, Mr. Covert believes a good way in destroying this insect. 



Mr. J. D. Baldwin spoke of the injury done to the peach trees by the insect 

 known as the peach borer. He allows a small square of sod (about four feet) 

 to form around his peach trees. The sod hardens the soil so that the borer 

 cannot penetrate it, and thus keeps them at bay. The practice is only good on 

 clay soil. Sandy soil would not become hard enough to prevent the borer 

 from penetrating. 



Mr. D. L. Godfrey exhibited fine specimens of Golden Russett, Roxbury 

 Russett, Northern Spy, Red Canada, Blue Pearmain and R. I. Greening apples. 

 All were in a good state of preservation. 



Ifcuj Meeting. 



At this meeting Mr. A. W. Toms made a fine display of plants in bloom. 



Mr. Covert contributed a paper on birds, which called out some discussion 

 on the question of whether the robin was a useful bird to the fruit-grower or 

 not. 



