SUMMER MEETING, 1880. 51 



and the thousand and one things that make a really valuable fruit, but may safely say 

 I believe it may be put on further trial with those that promise well. 1 think it as 

 handsome as Red Canada or Baldwin, will average as large as the latter, appears to 

 keep as well, and looks somewhat like it, but more closely resem hies a fine colored 

 Hubhardston Nonsuch. In quality it will probably rate as "very good." I still some- 

 times think it may prove an old named sort, but my confidence in Mr. Morris and his 

 straightforward story make such a supposition, to say the least, extremely doubtful. 



B. W. STEERE. 



The Secretary also read a letter from Prof. S. M. Tracy, Secretary of the 

 Mississippi Valley Horticultural Society, concerning the autumn fair of that 

 association, urging Michigan to make an exhibit there. 



On motion the matter was referred to the Executive Committee. 



The next exercise was a paper read by Dr. D. 0. Hawxhurst of Battle 

 Creek on 



THE USE OF THE MICROSCOPE BY FRUIT GROWERS, 



in which the writer took strong ground in favor of the microscope as an effi- 

 cient assistant to the careful fruit-grower. Several communications were also 

 read on this subject from other parties, some opposed and others strongly in 

 favor of microscopical research to aid the labors of the pomologist. 



[The full text of the paper will probably be given in Secretary's Portfolio. 

 — Sec'y.] 



Following Dr. Hawxhurst' s address, the meeting adjourned. 



Thursday Morning Session. 



The Society convened at an early hour, and while the audience were gath- 

 ering, fruit-growers were called upon to report from their various localities 

 upon any matter of special interest. 



Mr. Emmons Buell reported for Kalamazoo: 



Strawberries, a good crop. The market is well supplied at from 5 cents to 

 8 cents per quart. Kaspberries and blackberries promise a good supply. 

 Currants and gooseberries are doing their best to supply the sharp demand for 

 these fruits. Grapes indicate a fair crop. Cherries, sour, a good crop, especially 

 Early Richmond. Sweet cherries somewhat variable. Hardly an average crop. 

 Napoleon, fair. Plums, where receiving proper attention, are doing well. 

 Peaches never looked better. Every tree is loaded with rich promises of this 

 luscious fruit. Apples, so far as my observation extends, indicate an average 

 crop. All plants, vines, bushes and trees appear to be healthy and making a 

 vigorous growth. 



Chas. Ii. Coryell reported for Hillsdale: 



"We have apples usually when there are any, and this season we shall have a 

 grand crop. Peaches wherever there is a tree have set full. They are grow- 

 ing in some places where they -were never known to before. Cherries have 

 blighted somewhat, and the same may be said of raspberries and pears. In 

 truth our pear trees are going rapidly before this fell destroyer. 



Mr. W. A. Brown spoke for Berrien county: 



The apple trees blossomed full, but the promise then given will not be fully 

 realized. The crop will be below the average. Of peaches the le^s said for 

 our county the better. They are nearly gone, and many of us feel that if not 

 a tree were left as a prey for the yellows we would sooner reach that point 

 when we could grow again this luscious fruit. 



