ANNUAL MEETING. 49 



the different varieties. For instance, the Ben Davis was not looked upon as a 

 desirable variety, while the Rubicon, mentioned above, was declared worthless. 

 The Jonathan was highly recommended and was said to be very acceptable to 

 hotel keepers in cities who wanted a not too large apple for table use. Growers 

 were urged to cultivate more Talman Sweet and Green or Honey Sweet for 

 baking purposes, as they "were in much demand among city people. 



Messrs. Elwanger and Barry were called out for remarks, and spoke briefly in 

 a general way at the pleasure of being present at the meeting. In reply to a 

 question, Mr. Barry said that the production of apples and pears was just in its 

 infancy. The demand in the city for good fruit was not half supplied, and 

 there was yet no danger of growing too much. 



PEAR STATISTICS. 



The following statement of receipts from six pear trees on the farm of Mrs. 



Alexander Oudner, of Girard, Branch county, Michigan was furnished the 



Society : 



The trees were of the following varieties: One Bartlett, three Flemish Beauty 

 two Onondaga. I don't know the time of setting positively, and have kept no account 

 of the proceeds until within the last five years. Average size of tree about seven 

 inches in diameter. I have sold from all the trees yearly as follows: 



1872— 271^ bushels, average price, $2 $55 00 



1873—22 bushels, average price, $1.85 40 70 



1874 — 18 bushels, average price, $1.75 31 50 



1875—17^ bushels, average price, $3 52 50 



187G— 17^ bushels, average price, $1.50 25 13 



Total receipts for five years $204 83 



Average receipts per year j 40 9G 



Average receipts per year per tree 6 82 



I have used in the family about two bushels yearly. The prices in the market have 

 ranged about the same for the different varieties. The Flemish Beauty is the best 

 bearer, the Onondaga next, and the Bartlett least. 



The trees have received no care, standing in sod which has not been broken in 

 twelve years. They are exposed to north, south, and west winds, protected on the 

 east by buildings and an apple orchard. They have been healthy and vigorous until 

 the season just passed, when the " blight" affected them slightly. 



Thursday Morning. 



The Society first made a visit, between eight and ten o'clock, to the Lewis' 

 Art Gallery, on acceptance of an invitation from the proprietor. At ten o'clock 

 the meeting was again called to order for its final session. The Secretary read 

 an essay prepared by Mr. A. G. Gulley, of South Haven, entitled 



A FEW ORNAMENTAL TREES. 



This Societv. while it has already taken under its charge, besides fruit grow- 

 ing, both vegetable and ornamental horticulture, has had but little brought 

 before it on the latter subject. Persons wishing to plant ornamental trees are 

 often at a loss to know which to choose from the long list that the nurseryman's 

 catalogue presents, and either neglect planting or use only the native and well 

 known varieties, or else rely on some agent to select who knows as little as 

 themselves of the real value of the trees that he recommends, and they often 

 get them unsnited for their purpose or locality. A few words, then, about the 

 more desirable kinds may not be out of place. I shall not speak of the many 

 native trees valuable for planting, yet the varieties I shall mention are not in- 



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