REPORTS OF LOCAL SOCIETIES. 279 



was put on the table by President Scott, who spoke favorably in its behalf. 

 He said that these specimens were the first picked and were not yet fairly ripe. 

 He believed it to be a valuable late variety. Tlie Wilson, the President esteems 

 as one of our best strawberries. 



Jacob Ganzhorn, Martin Clark, and Mrs. Sarah Fletcher were appointed a 

 committee to examine the fruit on the table. A recess of ten minutes was 

 then taken to give the committee an opportunity to perform the work imposed 

 upon them. 



On recalling the meeting to order by the President, the committee reported 

 16 plates of strawberries displayed, consisting of Barge's Seedling, Monarch of 

 the West, Jucunda, Ool. Cheney, Russell's Prolific, and Seth Boyden Xo. 30, 

 by J. D. Baldwin. Great American, Woodruff's Seedlings Nos. 1, 2, 108, 120, 

 151, 153 and 283, by Charles H. Woodruff. Seneca Chief, by Everett Scott, 

 and a wild strawberry by N. B. Covert. 



For table use: Woodruff's Seedling No. ], Seneca Chief as best late 

 variety, and Woodruff's Seedlings Nos. 283, 151, 108, and 120 are recom- 

 mended. 



For canning: Jucunda, Monarch of the West, AVoodruff's Seedling No. 2, 

 and Col. Cheney. 



Seth Boyden No. 30 the committee found to possess a very high flavor, but 

 somewhat objectionable on account of the berries having tough points — the 

 points being pressed inward. Seneca Chief, from Avhat could be judged from 

 its unripe state, was favorably considered as a late variety. 



N. B. Covert next read a paper on ornithology. 



President Scott here called attention to the fine collection of flowers made 

 by Mr. Toms, and complimented the enterprising florist for his ability and 

 fine taste exhibited in producing such an attractive display. 



Two very fine fuchsia plants in full bloom, supported on flat wire frames, 

 attracted much attention by all present, shown by Miss Miley. 



Mrs. N. H. Pierce read a poem, entitled, "Small Things," which was 

 listened to with close attention. 



J. D. Baldwin spoke of the liability to rot to which the early peaches were 

 subjected. He said that he throws slacked lime among his early varieties, 

 and believes he arrests the rot to a great extent by this means. The Hale's 

 Early, he said, was one the most subject to rot, and all of its seedlings. The 

 Troth's Early, not early as the above, he said, was more free from the rot. 

 He considers it a nice early peach. 



Mr. Baldwin suggested to the meeting that peach baskets be made the sub- 

 ject for discussion at the next meeting, when he will tell what he knows about 

 them. 



N. B. Covert showed to the meeting specimens of stung apples, cherries, 

 plums, peaches, etc., and had, also, curculios with him in a bottle, which he 

 brouo:ht in for those interested to examine. Mr. Covert said that he had 

 watched the stinging of the different fruits for the past four weeks, and came 

 to the conclusion that all were stung by the same curculio. The jarring pro- 

 cess he believed the most practical for destroying this insect. 



Dried apples, by the Williams process, were handed to the secretary for dis- 

 tribution, through Mr. Baldwin, sent here by Mr. Williams, of South Haven, 

 the inventor of the process. The apples presented a clear, white, creamy 

 color, and seemed far superior to those dried by the common process. 



After srivins: a vote of thanks to all who contributed to entertain the meet- 



