REPORTS FROM LOCAL SOCIETIES. 



GRAND RIVER VALLEY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



OFFICERS. 



President — C. N. Merrimau. 

 Vice President — William Rowe. 

 Secretary — W. X. Cook. 

 Treasurer — S. L. Fuller. 



This Society held monthly meetings during the entire year of 1876, which 

 were well attended, and exhibited a commendable degree of interest and enthu- 

 siasm in the culture of fruits and flowers. The following comprises the most 

 important discussions, and papers presented: 



At the February meeting a discussion took place on the shipment of fruits 

 long distances and the best methods of packing, and it was decided that apples 

 would keep best by wrapping them in paper, in barrels, and Idling the inter- 

 stices with dry chaff or straw. 



W. N". Cook feared that if apples were packed in chaff heat would be pro- 

 duced and the apples would decay. 



Mr. Suttle. — Chaff and straw are non-conductors of heat. 



Henry Holt. — Chaff heated the ice in my ice house and melted it down. 



PEACHES. 



The subject of packing peaches was then taken up, and Mr. Dickinson said 

 the best method in his knowledge was to wrap each peach in paper separately, 

 and to place them in sectional boxes, surrounding each peach with cotton or wool 

 to prevent bruising. 



Mr. Waters suggested that peaches would not keep two hours after arriving 

 in Philadelphia if sent in a refrigerator car. 



Mr. Dickinson's method was adopted. 



STRAWBERRIES. 



Mr. P. W. Johnson said the best method was to place strawberries in layers 

 in boxes, with grass or leaves between each layer. 



Mr. Holt suggested that grape leaves should be placed between the layers 

 instead of leaves or grass. 



By general consent this plan was adopted. 



GRAPES. 



The subject of packing grapes next engaged the attention of the Society. 

 President Bradlield declared that grapes should be placed in boxes, but they 



