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space allotted to its quarterly reports, and also an increase in the number issued, or else the issuing of a special volume to be made up from the essays and discussions that have not heretofore been published.

We have also considered the act of the last session of the Legislature, known as the "Scalp or bounty act." and we are unanimous in favor of its repeal. The act is an illustration of the evils of unadvised legislation, and has, in the brief period of its operation, been sadly injurious to the general interests of the farmer and fruit-grower, as well as expensive to the several counties. The approval of the Board is asked for the herewith attached act, which is intended to accomplish this purpose.

Your committee also took favorable action upon the accompanying bill offered by Mr. Gates of Venango, and recommend its indorsement by the Board. The effect of its passage by the General Assembly would be to repeal the fence law of 1700.

Mr. McDowell of Washington introduced the question of the legalizing of the passage of traction engines along our public roads, (see act of previous session of the Legislature.) and advocated the theory that the several townships and municipalities of the State should be protected from liability from action for damages in cases where bridges and culverts are broken down by the great weight of said engines. The subject was referred to a sub-committee consisting of Messrs. McDowell, Oliver and Gates.

On behalf of the committee.

JOHN P. EDGE,
Chairman.

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On motion of the Secretary, that portion of the report of the Committee on Legislation referring to the repeal of the scalp act," was withheld from discussion until the evening session, when it would be in proper order.

The report of the Legislative Committee, as it referred to fences, was discussed by Messrs. Searle, Edge, Oliver, Gates, Wilson, Scott, McKee, Noble, Musselman, Smith, Gundy, Eves and the Secretary, and the repeal of the second section of the act of June 23, 1885, (to repeal the first section of an act entitled "An act for the regulation and maintaining fences," passed Anno Domini, one thousand seven hundred.) the effect of which repeal would be that of removing the whole of the act of 1700 from the statute book without a vote by counties.

His Excellency, Governor James A. Beaver, was here introduced, and, on motion, a recess of ten minutes was taken.

Board re-assembled, Hon. James A. Beaver in the chair, who then addressed the Board, promising them his hearty coöperation and assistance during his term of office, and regretting his inability to preside at all of the sessions on account of the great pressure of official duty incident to the commencement of a new term of oflice.

On motion of the Secretary, the morning session was extended to one o'clock, so that the printed programme might be carried out.

On behalf of the Committee on Farm Implements and Machinery, Mr. GARRETSON of Adams, chairman, read the report of the committee, which, after discussion, was ordered to be incorporated in the proceedings of the Board.

On behalf of the Committee on Useful Birds, C. C. MUSSELMAN of

Somerset, chairman, presented the extended and instructive report of that committee, upon which discussion was postponed until the evening session, and the report ordered to form a portion of the proceedings of the Board.

On behalf of the Committee on Fences and Fencing, CHANDLEE EVES of Columbia, chairman, stated that their report was incorporated with that of the Committee on Legislation, so far as the same referred to their special topic.

His Excellency Governor BEAVER announced that he had appointed Will B. Powell of Crawford, as a member of the Board, to fill the existing vacancy in the list of his appointés.

On motion, the appointment of the chairmen of the standing committees of 1887 was referred to the Executive Committee. At a subsequent session this committee reported these chairmanships, as follows:

Legislation, Dr. J. P. Edge; Fruit and Fruit Culture, G. Hiester; Grasses and Forage Crops, N. F. Underwood; Forests and Forestry, Wm. Gates; Apiary and Bee Culture, M. W. Oliver; Dairy and Dairy Products, E. Reeder; Useful Birds, C. C. Musselman; Cereal Crops, J. A. Herr; Roads and Road Laws, D. Wilson; Wool and Textile Fibers, J. McDowell; Farm Implements and Machinery, I. Garretson. They also reported in favor of establishing a standing committee on poultry, with H. M. Engle as chairman.

The same committee also reported the following Advisory Committee and honorary officers:

Advisory Committee-G. Hiester, W. S. Roland and J. P. Barnes. Botanist, Thomas Meehan, Germantown; Pomologist, E Satterthwait, Jenkintown; Chemist, Dr. F. Genth, Úniversity of Pennsylvania; Consulting Veterinary Surgeon, Prof. R. S. Huidekoper, University of Pennsylvania; Veterinary Surgeon, Dr. F. Bridge, V. S., West Philadelphia; Entomologist, Prof. W. A. Buckhout, State College; Microscopists and Hygienists, Dr. H. Leffmann, Philadelphia, and Prof. C. B. Cochran, West Chester; Ornithologist, Dr. B. H. Warren, West Chester; Meteorologists, Prof. I. P. Osmond, State College, and J. L. Heacock, Quakertown; Mineralogist, Prof. J. Wilcox, Philadelphia; Geologist, Prof. J P. Lesley, Philadelphia; Stenographer, Col. H. C. Demming, Harrisburg.

On motion, the Board then proceeded to decide as to the place of the next meeting, when Mr. Reeder named Bellefonte, and after discussion, it was decided to hold the spring meeting at Bellefonte, at a time to be fixed by the resident member and the Advisory Committee.

New business being in order, Rev. W. L. Bull explained the provisions of an act relating to "Wayfarers' Lodges," which he proposed to introduce into the Legislature, and upon which he wished the indorsement or opinion of the Board; after discussion, the matter was referred to a special committee, consisting of Messrs. Wilson, McKee and Reeder, who, at a subsequent session, submitted the following report, which, on motion, was adopted by the Board:

"Your committee, having examined the draft of a bill presented by the Rev. Mr. Bull and others, entitled 'An act to provide for the temporary care and employment of wayfarers,' and fully realizing the serious effect of the tramp evil upon the well-being of the community at large, recommend the following resolution:

"Resolved, That the members of the Legislature be earnestly re

quested to consider the advisability of framing a new tramp act, which shall embody the principle laid down in the draft of the wayfarers' lodge bill,' which is that no assistance should be granted the vagrant or tramp without something in the shape of work being exacted in return therefor, which shall accrue to the benefit of the public."

(Signed)

On motion, adjourned until 2 P. M.

DAVID WILSON,
ROBT. MCKEE,
E. REEDER.

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, January 26, 1887. Board called to order at 2 P. M., by Dr. J. P. EDGE, Vice President, in the chair.

M. W.OLIVER read an essay in answer to the question, "Does Farming Pay in Pennsylvania?" The subject matter of which was discussed by Messrs. Dr. Edge, Wilson, Gundy, Oliver, Witmer, Searle, Smith, Barnes, Brosius and Secretary.

E. SATTERTHWAITE read an essay on "The Timber Question, and what Trees to Plant," which was discussed by Messrs. Hess, Searle, Dr. Edge, Roland, Oliver and Binney.

Messrs. HESS and BINNEY announced that they were present as delegates from the Pennsylvania Forestry Association, for the purpose of explaining two drafts of acts which they proposed to submit to the Legislature, and upon which they wished to obtain the advice and opinion of the Board. After discussion, the delegation were referred to the Committee on Legislation, who were directed to make a report at a subsequent session.

An essay entitled "Retrospective," prepared by the Secretary, was then read by Mr. HIESTER, and discussed by Messrs. Underwood, Dr. Edge and Smith.

On motion of Mr. BARNES, a committee of three, consisting of Messrs. Hoffa, Clapp and Herr, were appointed to draft and present for consideration resolutions expressive of the sense of the Board in relation to the death of W. C. Packer, late member from Northumberland. After answering sundry questions which had been sent to the Secretary, the Board adjourned to meet at 7.30 P. M.

WEDNESDAY EVENING, January 26, 1887. Board called to order at 7.30 P. M., to hear an address by Dr. B. H. WARREN, Ornithologist of the Board, on the "Food of Hawks and Owls."

After the close of the address, the Secretary presented a large amount of data, showing, among other things, the amount of bounty paid by each county of the State, and the opinion of each board of county commissioners in relation to the total or partial repeal of the act of June 23, 1885, "for the destruction of wolves, wild-cats, foxes, minks, hawks, weasels and owls in this Commonwealth."

Mr. NOBLE of Bedford read the resolution of Bedford County Pomona Grange against the repeal of the law. Colonel H. C. DEMMING, at the request of the Secretary, read letters from Daniel Steck and George Snyder, the former against the repeal of the law, and the latter in favor of repeal. C. F. WICKERSHAM, delegate from Chester county, read a short essay against the repeal of the act, and the sub

ject was declared open for general discussion. The Secretary announced that it had been proposed to vote (at the close of the discussion) on the subject of repeal, as follows:

First. A vote as to its repeal, so far as it applies to hawks and owls, by the Board only; then by the audience.

Second. A vote as to the repeal of the whole law, by the Board, and then a similar vote by the audience.

Dr. J. P. EDGE offered the following:

Resolved, That for the protection of useful birds and animals remaining in the State from wholesale destruction suffered under the operation of what is known as "the scalp law," and also for the protection and relief of the county treasuries, the General Assembly be requested to favorably consider the act presented by the Committee on Legislation of this Board.

After discussion by Messrs. Searle, White, Musselman, Wilson, Colvin, Rice, Dr. Edge, Smith, Henderson, Engle, Gundy, Herr, Isenberg, Warren and Secretary, Dr. Edge and Mr. Gates were appointed a committee to draft a bill expressive of the wish of the Board, as indicated by the subsequent vote, and present the same to the Legislature for its action.

After a standing vote had been taken upon each phase of the question, the Secretary announced the result as follows:

Vote of the Board on the repeal of that portion of the act referring to hawks and owls-For repeal, 21; against repeal, 1.

Vote of the Board as to the repeal of the whole act-In favor, 18; against, 1.

Vote of the audience as to the repeal of that portion relating to hawks and owls-In favor, 37; against, 2.

Vote of the audience in relation to the repeal of the whole act-In favor, 25; against, 1.

On motion, adjourned until 9 A. M., Thursday morning.

THURSDAY MORNING, January 27, 1887. Board called to order at 9 A. M., by M. W. OLIVER, Vice President, in the chair.

Mr. NOBLE read a series of resolutions from the Bedford County Pomona Grange, and from Bridgeport Grange No. 602, which were referred to the Committee on Legislation.

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The SECRETARY presented the preamble and resolutions of Freehold Grange, (Warren county,) in favor of the repeal of the "Scalp law,' which were referred to the Committee on Legislation.

On motion of Mr. ENGLE, it was decided to appoint a standing committee on ornithology, with Dr. B. H. Warren as chairman, with power to make up the committee.

Report of the special committee on the bill establishing wayfarers' lodges was presented, and discussed by Messrs. Searle, Oliver, Dr. Edge, Gundy, Whitmer, Garretson, McDowell, Musselman, Scott, Bull, Wilson, Noble, Young, Smith and Hiester, and adopted.

The special committee to whom was referred the question of damages done to public bridges and culverts by traction engines, made a report in the form of a draft of a bill for an additional section to the act of 1885, and Mr. McDowell was appointed to present the same to the Legislature.

On motion of Mr. REEDER, the regular order of business was taken up, and Mr. SEARLE read an essay on "Irrigation."

On motion of the SECRETARY, Dr. CALDER then read an essay on "Fruit Culture."

Mr. HIESTER then read an essay by H. M. Wise, (who was unavoidably absent,) on " Wheat Raising; " the subject-matter of which was discussed by Messrs. Powell, Whitmer, Roland, Searle, Engle, Hoffa, Young, Wilson, Scott, Oliver, Herr, Colvin, Zerr and White.

His Excellency Governor BEAVER presented an invitation from the New York Dairymen's Association to appoint delegates to represent Pennsylvania at the approaching annual meeting of that association, and requested the Board to suggest the names of such delegates. On motion of Dr. EDGE, the President and Secretary were requested to furnish names of suitable delegates.

Mr. BARNES of Lehigh, offered the following, which, after discussion, was referred to the Committee on Legislation:

"WHEREAS, The Governor of this Commonwealth frequently is required to appoint delegates or representatives to attend State and United States organizations for the general welfare of our State or the United States; therefore

"Resolved, That the Committee on Legislation be hereby requested to draw up an act to be presented to the honorable bodies of the Legislature, which shall authorize and empower the Treasurer of the Commonwealth to pay out of the general fund in his hands, all the necessary expenses incurred by such appointees, for such actual service rendered."

On motion, adjourned until 2 P. M.

THURSDAY AFTERNOON, January 27, 1887. Board called to order at 2 P. M., by M. W. OLIVER, Vice President, in the chair.

Prof. R. S. HUIDEKOPER, Consulting Veterinary Surgeon of the Board, delivered an address upon "Veterinary Education."

The committee to report resolutions relative to the death of W. C. Packer, late member from Northumberland, reported a series of resolutions, which were unanimously adopted.

JOHN I. CARTER read an essay on "The Feeding and Care of Dairy Cows," which was discussed by Messrs. Young, Huidekoper, Carter, Wilson and Secretary.

J. C. THORNTON then read an essay on "The General Purpose Cow," which was discussed by Messrs. Engle, Searle, Huidekoper, Thornton, Carter, Powell and Secretary.

Mr. REEDER offered the following resolution:

"Resolved, That this Board recommend to the Legislature that an appropriation to be devoted to the testing of samples of oleomargarine, suspected and imitation, and other butters, be granted for the use of the Board, and that the amount asked for be one thousand dollars per year for two years."

After discussion, the resolution was agreed to, and Messrs. Satterthwait and Reeder appointed a special committee to present the resolution to the House Committee on Appropriations, before whom the appropriation bill of the Board was pending.

Mr. SEARLE offered the following, which was unanimously adopted: Resolved, That this Board request the Legislature not to repeal the act known as the "Oleomargarine Law;" adopted unanimously. On motion, adjourned to meet at 7.30 P. M.

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