THE ANNUAL MEETING. 183 



REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON NEW FRUITS. 



The society, in providing for a standing committee on new fruits, only pro- 

 ceeded so far as to designate its chairman, leaving the filling up of such 

 committee in the hands of the president. In the filling up of so important a 

 standing •committee, it seemed desirable to secure, not only experts, but also 

 persons likely to interest themselves personally in the matter. 



For the purpose of insuring such results as far as practicable, time was 

 taken to confer with those to be selected, prior to such appointment. This 

 resulted in the selection of G-. H. La Fleur, of Allegan, Geo. 0. McClatchee, 

 of Ludington, C. Engle, of Paw Paw, and Dr. A. Conklin, of Manchester. 

 It was thought important to add a member to represent the more easterly and 

 northeasterly portions of the State, and the aid of the secretary was invoked 

 for a selection ; but, so far, no person has been found for the purpose, and 

 that portion of the State stands yet without a representative upon the 

 committee. 



In the lack of any special committee for the purpose, it has been assumed 

 to be within the province of this committee to take cognizance of such older 

 fruits as may, from time to time, come to attract attention, with promise of 

 future importance. 



APPLES, 



although in the highest sense the staple fruit of our State, have been repre- 

 sented, with the committee, by only a single new variety — a seedling, originating 

 at Stevensville, Berrien county, in 1874, of which specimens were sent to the 

 chairman by W. A. Brown, of that place. The fruit is rather small, beauti- 

 fully colored, and of fine flavor, but since it is strictly an amateur variety, 

 with no qualities calculated to give it position above several others of similar 

 season, it was not thought best to advise the giving it a name and a place in 

 the already too extended list of similar varieties, unless, upon further 

 acquaintance, it shall be found to possess characteristics of value, not deduci- 

 ble from a mere examination of the fruit. 



Wolverine 



is a seedling apple named by Bates Fisher, of Quincy, Branch county, and 

 received for description since the preparation of this report. It is an early 

 winter fruit, of good size, rich color, and exceedingly agreeable flavor, but 

 lacking juice, and, judging from the specimens received, inclined to be 

 scabby and imperfect; besides which, the codling moth had appropriated 

 nearly every specimen sent. From what we see of it, we cannot recommend 

 it, as compared with several others of similar season. The best of the speci- 

 mens received are on exhibition. 



Hook Apple 



is an old, New England, winter variety, not found in the books, nor even in 

 the catalogues of the nurseries. We find a tree of it, kept and grown as an 

 old favorite, on the grounds of Geo. Hannahs, of South Haven, Van Buren 

 county. The fruit is of but medium size; yellow, with occasionally a red 

 cheek, very tender, mild, rich, juicy — a fine dessert fruit; little if at all dis- 

 seminated in this State. 



