1887.] TRANSACTIONS. 17 



some inscrutable law of nature which cuts short its career, just 

 when it becomes most destrnctive ; might be knowledge well 

 worth possessing. In our positive ignorance, let us rejoice that 

 we were spared, A. D. 1887, all occasion for studying that vexed 

 problem. 



Neither were tlie ravages of Pear-Blight excessive. Within 

 the immediate notice of the writer, varieties usually first to suc- 

 cumb, were not even attacked. Clapji's Favorite escaped en- 

 tirely, which could not have been said of it in any previous year. 

 Sporadic cases are mentioned ; but they are so few compara- 

 tively as to prove that, for some cause, that dread disease has at 

 least paused in its deadly march. Bacilli, bacteria, microbes, 

 fungi, — every form of primal infection that would degrade or 

 impede the evolution of Bathyhius in this sphere of vegetable 

 organism, appear to have spent the season just past in innocuous- 

 desuetude. 



Early in the season, your Secretary received a note from the 

 Department of State at Washington, inquiring if this Society 

 maintains a Reading-Room and can make proper use of the Con- 

 sular Reports issued by the Department for popular information ? 

 The reply was prompt and truthful, — that no similar association 

 tliroughout the republic enjoyed superior facilities or offered them 

 more freely for the instruction of its especial community. As a 

 consequence, those Reports have been mailed in regular sequence ; 

 and to their great intrinsic value your Secretary desires to invite 

 your serious attention. Since, in them can be found intelligence 

 gathered by shrewd, quick-witted men, stationed in every part of 

 the globe ; wliose task it was erstwhile made, what has long been 

 a welcome duty, to take cognizance of the production and traffic 

 of the several countries wherein their lot might be cast. Would 

 you learn about the area, under forest, in Australia ; forest 

 planting at the antipodes ; the reclamation of sand-dunes and 

 waste places by afibrestation ? You can find the learning con- 

 nected therewith upon those pages. Are fertilizers of interest 

 to you, whose soil has lost its virginity ; and who would fain 

 restore, quickest and cheapest, the essential elements whereof it 

 was early deflowered ? Read, in the Report from Germany, of 

 "Thomas slag"; — its character, and how rich it is in phosphoric 



