600 EXPERIMEXT STATION EECORD. 



American Forestry Association. — This association held its tweuty-eighth an- 

 nual meethig at Washington, D. C, January 13 and 14. Governor Curtis (iuild, 

 of Massachusetts, was elected president to succeed Secreta.ry Wilson, of this 

 department, who declined reelection. Among the resolutions adopted was one 

 in advocacy of national legislation providing for instruction in forestry in 

 agricultural colleges. 



Necrology. — Dr. J. W. Fletcher, botanist and entomologist of the Central 

 Experiment Station farm, Ontario, since ISST, died November S, aged 50 years. 

 Doctor Fletcher took a proraiueut iiart in securing the establishment of the 

 Dominion experimental farms, and was also entomologist of the Canada geo- 

 logical survey. He was th(! author of numerous bulletins and other articles 

 dealing with Canadian insect life and other scientific subjects. The January 

 number of The Ottawa Naturalist contains a list of his extensive writings and 

 many tributes to his life and work. 



Charles Baltet, one of the foremost practical horticulturists and horticultural 

 writers of France, died at his home at Troyes, November 24, at the advanced 

 age of TS. For more than fifty years M. Baltet was intimately connected with 

 the development and progress of French horticulture. He was the leading 

 spirit in the founding of the National Horticultural School at Versailles, and 

 always remained a friend to that institution. He was also well known in 

 many countries through his numerous papers and treatis-es on various phases 

 of practical horticulture, among which may be mentioned L'art de greffer, 

 Traite de la culture fruitiere c<mimerciale et bourgeoise, and L'horticulture dans 

 les cinq parties du monde. For the last-named work he received a prize of 

 10,000 francs from the National Society of Horticulture of Fi'ance. 



The death of the distin^iished meteorologist, J. M. Pernter, at the age of 60 

 years, at Vienna, December 20, 1908, is announced. Doctor Pernter held the 

 chair of meteorology and geo-dyuamics in the University of Vienna and became 

 director of the Austrian Central Meteorological Institute when J. Hann retired 

 from this position to devote himself to special research. Doctor Pernter was 

 well known for his work on meteorological optics and other phases of meteoro- 

 logical science, as well as for his work in developing the weather service of 

 Austria. He also contributed to the discussion of the question of cannonading 

 against hail. He organized and for several years presided over the International 

 Meteorological Commission and was among the first to secure the establishment 

 of a chair of meteorology in one of the higher institutions of learning. 



George Nicholson, curator of the Royal Gardens at Kew from 1880-1901 and a 

 prolific contributor to the English horticultural press, died September 20. aged 

 61 years. 



The death is noted of Alexander Craw, since 1904 superintendent of ento- 

 mology for the Hawaiian Board of Commissioners of Agriculture and Forestry, 

 aged 58 years. 



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