THE ANNUAL MEETING. 207 



COMMUNICATIONS. 



The following letters were presented by the Secretary : 



Adrian, Nov. 8, 1880. 

 Secretary Ghas. W. Garfield: 



You will perhaps recollect that I was appointed a sub-committee to report to 

 the State Horticultural Society, at their June meeting, the action of a com- 

 mittee appointed to name, etc., a certain apple, which was done so far as prac- 

 ticable at that time. I will now add for the December meeting a description 

 which may not prove entirely accurate, as my former acquaintance with it has 

 had no reference to such description, and from the few specimens seen this 

 fall I may fail in some respects, especially as to flavor in their green condi- 

 tion. It is barely possible it may yet prove an old named variety. 



Morris Bed. — Fruit medium to large, variable in form, inclining to oval or 

 conic, generally broader than high. Color a beautiful red, indistinctly striped 

 with lighter and darker shades, russet about the stalk often radiating in streaks 

 and blotches to some distance round the base, and in patches partly down the 

 sides, and russety dots nearly to the calyx. Stem medium, or about even with 

 the base, in a moderately deep cavity. Calyx small and nearly closed, in a 

 medium basin. Flesh yellowish white, juicy, tender, sub-acid; quality, very 

 good. Jan. to April. Tree vigorous, with strong, stocky, rather short jointed, 

 young growth. Leaves large; buds prominent. Supposed origin, Conn. 



B. W. STEERE. 



South Haven, November 11, 1880. 

 Secretary C. W. Garfield: 



Sir, — The undersigned, designated as committee on screens and wind- 

 breaks, and charged with the duty of examining and reporting upon the entries 

 of John W. Humphrey, of South Haven, and Benj. W. Steere, of Adrian, in 

 this division, respectfully represents that the hemlock screen entered for premium 

 in class one was planted in the spring of 1876 ; the plants sit in a single row, one 

 and a half to two feet apart. It has not been clipped or sheared as yet, although 

 that is intended to be done in the future. The whole now has grown into a 

 compact mass about three feet in breadth at the base, and averaging about five 

 feet in height. It stands along the northerly border of the nursery grounds, 

 about thirty to thirty-five rods in length, and is already somewhat effective as 

 a protection, as well as a beautiful illustration of the adaptability of the hem- 

 lock spruce for such purposes. We recommend that the premium offered be 

 awarded to Mr. Humphrey. 



The second entry of Mr. J. W. Humphrey is near the foregoing, consisting 

 of about sixty rods of Norway spruce, planted in a single row along the west 

 side of the nursery grounds, with an L extending into and dividing the same, 

 the purpose being to maintain it as a wind-break or protection against the 

 winds from the lake adjacent. These were also planted in the spring uf 1876; 

 and are now from six to eight feet in height, standing five or six feet apart — 

 the idea of the planter being to check, but not to wholly arrest the force of 

 the lake winds. 



This will require yet a year or two of growth before it can become fully 

 effective, by which time the side branches will have filled the entire space, 

 forming a continuous mass of foliage. We recommend that the premium be 

 awarded. 



