WEST MICHKIAN FRUITGROWERS' SOCIETY. 3*37 



winter apples of thei north are fall apples here and comparatively worthless as market 

 sorts. Some late keepers from the south promise well. On heavy land Smith's Cider 

 has been an abundant and sure cropper, yielding a very comfortable increase. The 

 worst apple enemy is the codlin moth, easily destroyed by spraying with Paris green. 



Few plums are grown, but J. W. Kerr of Caroline (»unty, Md., has been wonderfully 

 .successful with varieties of the Chicka.saw type the Wild Goose. Marianna, and 

 dozens of others. 



South of the peach belt thousands of acres are devoted to small fruits —strawberries, 

 blackberries, raspberries (both red and black), gooseberries, etc. In strawberry 

 season whole trains loaded with this fruit go over the Delaware railroad several 

 times daily. 



In addition to the fruit marketed fresh, many t<ms are annually evaporated and 

 thousands of bushels canned. The capacity of the evaijorators on the peninsula is very 

 large, so that in case of an excessive crop and low prices two or three million baskets of 

 peaches could be dried. 



The above is but a brief outline of the fruitgrovs-intr in this section. A thousand 

 interesting points might be discussed did space permit. 



The evening- session was occupied with a talk by Prof. P. A. Latta. 

 This was followed by E. C White upon the customs and manners of the 

 inhabitants of Soiith America. Upon this topic Mr. White was thoroughly 

 at home, entertaining the audience for one h(Wf , carrying his hearers with 

 him, presenting such vivid pictures of the every day life of that people 

 that one almost felt the journey a real one. 



Thursday morning reports of the secretary and treasurer were made. 

 The election of officers was next in order, which resulted in the selection 

 of Joseph Lannin of South Haven, president; G. H. LaFleur of Allegan, 

 secretary; AV. A. Smith of Benton Harbor, treasurer. Executive l)oard — 

 H. Dale Adams, chairman, Galesburg; W. H. Payne, South Haven: Daniel 

 Falconer, Saugatuck; L. W. Rose. Ludington; R. Morrill, Benton Harbor. 



The contents of the question box were then disciissed. 



1. What are five best varieties of plum to grow for market? Mr. (1. C. 

 McClatchie of Ludington, named Lombard. Bradshaw. Ponds Seedling, 

 Duane Purple, Purple Egg. 



2. Is a southern slope favorable for a peach orchard? John P. W^ade 

 said he would not select a southern slope; ])each trees on .such slo])es grow 

 later in the fall and start earlier in the spring. Late frosts in spring- 

 injure the blossoms, then warm days in winter start the flow of sap which is 

 not desirable; prefers a northei-n slope. Others agreed with Mr. Wade. 



3. Which are the five best viirieties of winter apple to grow for mar- 

 ket? A vote taken resulted in naming Baldwin. Stark. Hubbardston, 

 R. I. Greening and Northern Spy. Several members spoke highly 

 of Jonathan. Smith's Cider, and Ben Davis. 



4. What are the characteristics of the LeConte pear? Reported as poor 

 quality, tree tender and blights badly, of no account in Michigan. 



5. Which are the best varities of peach to plant for an orchard of 10(M) 

 trees? This was not decided, but was referred to several peach-growers 

 who were reci[uested to fill out a list and forward to the secretary to be 

 published hereafter. 



The committees on fruit and resolutions made reports, which were 

 adopted. 



L. W. Rose of Ludington. invited the society to hold its June meeting 

 at that [place. The invitation was accepted, and June 8, 4, and 5 was 

 decided upon as the date. 



W.'^A. Smith of Benton Harbor sent to the secretary the following 

 ])aper, which was read: 



