SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 219 



Professor Miles said none of the agricultural colleges have half as much 

 money as they need. Ours is better off than others, but all its revenues might 

 be profitably expended in one of its departments. The central idea of the 

 college is to teach students by their own investigation and not by the know- 

 ledge of others. This requires more means and the college is constantly 

 hampered in its work. He spoke of Strasburg university and its generous 

 endowment by the German government, and said Michigan should follow this 

 example as to her agricultural college, that it may take the lead and keep it. 



Mr. Willard: This is a matter of greatest importance and each member 

 should interest himself in the success of the Hatch bill. He further spoke of 

 the value of experimental stations. 



Senator Monroe stated that just before the close of the legislative session of 

 1885 he prepared a joint resolution asking Michigan senators and congressmen 

 to support the Hatch bill, but learning that that measure was to go over the 

 term, he reserved his resolution and would at the approaching session introduce 

 it. He urged horticulturists to write their representatives to support the 

 Hatch bill because its passage would make our college of great value to our 

 State and the whole country. 



Wednesday Evening Session. 



At the evening session the first hour was devoted to reports upon the merits 

 of the newer fruits. Condensing the remarks, they appear as follows: 



Champion Gooseberry — Either a seedling or an English berry disseminated 

 some time before its alleged origin in Pennsylvania. A berry of the same 

 name was said to have come from Oregon. 



Hudson Gooseberry — Prof. Bailey sent for some, but all came labeled Indus- 

 try. Mr. Willard said he got the worth of his money, then, for it is an 

 excellent kind — an English berry. 



Fay Currant — A superior sort and large but may become smaller as bushes 

 grow older. No variety of currant tested here is exempt from the borer except 

 Victoria. 



Yellow Transparent Apple— A most valuable early sort ; precedes by some 

 weeks the Early Harvest; of extra good quality, pleasant flavor, beautiful 

 color, waxen yellow; hardy wood. A Russian sort sent out 17 years ago, same 

 as White Astrachan and very likely same as Transparent Moscow. Planted ex- 

 tensively in Virginia and the Carolinas for early New York market. 



New Crabapples — Blushing Maid is excellent but General Grant worthless. 

 Whitney's No. 20 is one of the best crabs Pres. Lyon ever met; doubts if it 

 should be called a crab, appearing to be more a Russian sort. 



Minnewaski Blackberry — Fruit resembles Lawton and is highly spoken of; 

 the special favorite of A. J. Caywood; fruits fully, keeps a week or so with- 

 out changing color; said to be not hardy. 



Western Triumph Black Cap — Good as the average of 30 or 40 kinds, but 

 not equal to the Kittatinny, Lawton or Taylor. 



Wilson jr. Blackberry — Not materially different from the Wilson. 



Marlboro Raspberry — Opinions were various ; does not show promised vigor; 

 about like Cuthbert in growth, but not as good quality; if it does not do bet- 

 ter Mr. Scott will take out his three acres; half the size of the Cuthbert and 



