140 STATE HOETICULTUKAL SOCIETY. 



very small proportions, and I have seen no record of a single instance where 

 symptoms of poisoning have followed the rotting of fruit from plants which 

 have been treated by it. 



Among other poisons which have been used with more or less favorable 

 results are carbolic acid, lye and tobacco. Soap, kerosene and alcohol have 

 also been found useful in certain instances. Infusions of various poisonous herbs 

 have been tried, but without marked success. But those which promise to be 

 the most important insecticides are the so-called Persian and Dalmatian insect 

 powders (the former pyrethrum roseum, and P. carneum, the latter P. cinerarias- 

 folium), as they possess the great advantage of being perfectly harmless to man 

 and beast. This subject has received a great deal of attention of late, and I 

 probably could give you some interesting information were it not for the fact 

 that my words would necessarily be nothing but a repetition of a small portion 

 of what your associate, Prof. Cook (an authority on the subject), has doubtless 

 already told you. 



A recess was taken until evening. 



Evening Session. 



Mr. Mann, of Adrian, was called to the chair. Upon a motion a committee 

 of three was selected upon credentials, to whom delegates were requested to 

 report, so that a record could be made of the societies represented. The chair 

 named Mr. Bitely of Lawton, Mr. Chapman of Bangor, and Mr. Town of 

 Barry, as such committee. 



The first paper of the evening was presented by K. Haigh, jr., of South Ha- 

 ven, upon the topic 



EURAL IMPEOVEMENT. 



The subject of rural improvement, while of interest to all and admitted to bo 

 of much importance, as generally treated is productive of little practical bene- 

 fit. Individual effort has been stimulated, but no definite results of any extent 

 attained. Something more than individual effort is needed. I have been very 

 much interested in the working and success, at the East, especially in Connec- 

 ticut, of rural improvement societies. These are organized for the general 

 improvement of the township or village. As the idea is comparatively new I 

 trust I shall be pardoned if, in speaking of it, I quote largely from the origin- 

 ator, Dr. Northrop, Secretary of the Connecticut Board of Education. 



In this part of the country the township is the unit, and its members in better 

 condition, as to location and interest, to work together for a common good. 

 It is only by organized effort that results of any magnitude can be attained. 

 The need of something of the kind is sadly evident almost everywhere. We 

 need a waking up of public spirit and town pride. Our youth should be 

 taught in their homes and schools to be jealous of the good name of their home 

 and State. The love of home and of country is akin. The feeling that honors 

 the place of one's birth or adoption is ennobling; it is an element in the char- 

 acter of true manhood. 



We of South Haven especially need to rouse ourselves. We are not making 

 the advancement we ought in these things. Just look over our village ; scarcely 

 a dozen rods of real good road, hardly a single block of perfect sidewalk, and 



