MICHIGAN STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 493 



ticultural affairs at the College the present season, compared 

 with their appearance in the spring of '71, at corresponding 

 dates. On March 13th, 1871, Prof. Tracy found the frost very 

 nearly out of the garden beds. On March 17th hot-beds were 

 in progress, roses and other delicate plants transplanted with- 

 out injury. On March 29th the earth was found so completely 

 settled that the rolling and sodding of the lawns was com- 

 pleted at once. Nursery stock -was transplanted, and large 

 evergreens removed. On April 2d, the date of to-day, the veg- 

 etable garden was wholly under plow, and many seeds com- 

 mitted to earth. During the present spring the season has 

 turned a decidedly cold shoulder to the Professor, and has 

 permitted him to accomplish but little, though he stands ready 

 to insert the entering wedge at the first opportunity. 



And now, before closing, allow a word to be uttered concern- 

 ing the handful of men scattered throughout the State of 

 Michigan, who are endeavoring by hard study, carefal and 

 accurate observation, to reduce to an intelligible form the laws 

 which govern wind and storm, summer's heat and winter's 

 cold; in other words, to make a true science of Michigan's 

 meteorology. To the utility of their labors, no wherefore can 

 be raised. The era when intelligent men greeted Avith jibes 

 and sneers the attempt to make a practical application of the 

 truths of science, has long since disappeared in the shadowy 

 past. The question is. Shall these workers receive the sup- 

 port and encouragement of the practical men of this State, 

 for whose good they labor ? It Avould seem that the Honorable 

 Commissioner of Agriculture holds views of his own upon 

 this theme. In his last monthly report for the month of Feb- 

 ruary, just at hand, he announces, with that startling perspi- 

 cuity which poor Dr. Parry lacked so fatally, " that the publi- 

 cation of meteorological tables is from this date discontinued, 

 by order of the Hon. Commissioner." This monthly of the 

 Commissioner's has been, by the way, from its origin, a most 

 startling and unique document. Issued each month from one 



