400 ANNUAL EEPOBT. 



enables the horticultural society to do particular work for each dis- 

 trict without neglecting the best interests of others, and as soon as 

 practical a committee should be appointed to make a careful survey 

 of our State and arrange it into suitable districts. The question of 

 experimental stations was discussed at considerable length and favored 

 by all the members present, and resulted in the adoption of a resolu- 

 tion requiring the president to appoint a committee to take action 

 looking to the establishment of such stations. 



The annual address of President J. M. Smith was an interesting 

 document in which he, in his free and lucid manner, spoke of the 

 grand display of orchard fruits made by the society at the New Orleans 

 Exposition last winter, and the joyous feelings of the horticulturists 

 over their successful competition with the states of the northwest, 

 which made them "proud of their state and hopeful that a new and 

 prosperous era was dawning upon those engaged in horticultural 

 pursuits." When spring opened the joy was turned to sorrow by the 

 great disaster that had befallen their state and the whole northwest, 

 the complaint of dead and dying trees was almost universal, and the 

 question is everywhere asked "What shall we do?" "We want some- 

 thing better" He said. All are anxious and hope that we have some- 

 thing better in store for us; that we are upon the dawn of a better 

 day. I cannot but believe that between the many varieties of new 

 Russians and new seedlings we shall find at least a few varieties that 

 will endure our most severe winters with impunity, yet the experience 

 of many years bids us be careful what we recommend." He further 

 said, "You are doubtless aware that tree peddlers are already selling 

 so-called Russians in all directions. Would it not be well to insert in 

 our fruit lists a word of warning or some resolution in this respect 

 that might be of benefit to those who will look with unusual interest 

 for our next volume of transactions? While many of us firmly believe 

 and all of us hope that we have some valuable varieties as well as 

 perfectly hardy ones, none of us expect them all to be of permanent 

 lasting value." He also spoke a good word for the Manchestor straw- 

 berry, which will carry with it great weight as he is a strawberry 

 grower of large experience and in whom the people have confidence. 



Before the adjournment of this session Professor T. J. Burrell of 

 Champaine University, 111., was introduced to the audience and gave a 

 very interesting talk on "bacteriafand fungoids." He is a pleasant 

 speaker and is considered as the best known authority on "bacteria." 

 He has spent much time in conducting microscopic investigating of 



