PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 25 



S. B. Mann asked advice regarding plowing an old orchard which had been 

 long in grass. 



T. T. Lyon : I could not say without seeing the orchard. Much depends 

 on the soil. We must always remember that roots must be touched rather 

 carefully on old trees. Perhaps a mulch would be safest. 



HORTICULTURE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Mr. H. E. Vandeman, the recently appointed Pomologist of the Depart- 

 ment, being present was called upon, and responded in brief as follows: 



The present Commissioner, Mr. Colman, the first horticulturist ever in 

 charge of the Department, is desirous of establishing a bureau of pomology in 

 the Department for the better investigation of subjects connected with fruit- 

 growing. My purpose in coming here is to see the condition of pomology in 

 your State and what is needed. The line of work we propose to follow cannot 

 be fully outlined as yet. As far as can be seen it is to find out the facts with 

 regard to such varieties as are of importance, and transmit such facts and va- 

 rieties to the people. Thus Russian fruits are of no value for Michigan so far 

 as winter apples are concerned, though we may get something valuable from 

 that source in the way of pears and cherries. It is the desire of Mr. Colman 

 and myself to work in harmony with all horticultural societies, individuals and 

 agrcultural colleges in advancing the pomological interests of our country. 



T. T. Lyon : At the great expositions at Philadelphia and New Orleans the 

 Department had on exhibition lithographs and casts of fruits which were a dis- 

 grace to the Department. The lithographs were the same as those used by 

 "" flash " tree agents. We need casts of fruit true to nature and drawings true 

 to nature of the fruit, foliage and young wood, and also photographs of each 

 variety of tree to show its habit. There are so many varieties so near alike that 

 we need all these particulars. 



The Secretary read a short letter from Commissioner Colman. 



H. E. Vandeman : One of the first things I propose to do is to throw those 

 casts and lithographs out the back door. I propose to have a set of models of 

 fruit made that shall be truly educational, including typical specimens and the 

 variations found in different localities. The desire is to muster all the good 

 sense that we have and use it. 



The Secretary then gave an outline of the proposed features of the forthcom- 

 ing fair, as far as they had been determined, by the Board. He said we have 

 been discussing how to make a change in our set of offerings so as to bring out 

 a new set of ideas. 1st. In plants and flowers we offer separate premiums for 

 professionals and amateurs. We offer premiums for a variety of new things. 

 One of these is for a display of bedding plants in beds in miniature door-yards. 

 2d. The society has appointed an agent to make an exhibit of fruit, showing the 

 desirable and undesirable features of each variety. In some varieties the speci- 

 mens will be nearly all fair, in others the reverse. This will be shown. We also 

 •offer premiums for the most attractive exhibits. If the Agricultural Society 

 secures a permanent location and we continue to exhibit with it, we shall arrange 

 to decorate the outside of the buildings and the adjacent lawns. Our offers on 

 large collections, for particular purposes, will be for a definite number of varie- 

 ties. Our offers for single plates will be more for the newer valuble sorts than 

 for those well known. 



