260 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



ALLEGAN COUNTY POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



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PREPARED BY E. C. REID, SECT. 

 OFFICERS FOR 1881. 



President — George T. Lay. 

 Vice President — John B. Dumont. 

 Secretary — Edwy C. Keid. 

 Treasurer — Benj. D. Pritchard. 



March Meeting. 



This society was re-organized into its present form March 16, 1880, having 

 previously existed under the same name, but independent of the State society. 

 It was organized Jan. 18, 1879. At the former date the society was addressed 

 by Secretary Garfield, and, after some discussion, the constitution and by-laws 

 prepared for auxiliary societies by the State society were adopted, and under 

 them Geo. T. Lay was chosen president, H. G. Buck vice-president, Edwy C. 

 Reid secretary, and B. D. Pritchard treasurer. These, constituting the execu- 

 tive board, with Mr. G. H. LaFleur added, were made a committee on pro- 

 gramme for the year. Messrs. J. Sailor, J. S. Bidwell, H. G. Buck, and 

 Allen Wood were made a committee to examine the premium lists of the 

 county agricultural society, and recommend changes in the pomological 

 department, — addition of names of desirable varieties, the expunging of 

 worthless ones, etc. Seventeen members were received. 



April Meeting. 



The best way to plant fruit trees was made the topic for papers and discus- 

 sions at the society's second meeting. Mr. G. H. LaFleur presented the 

 following : 



I start with the premise that every person who owns an acre of ground, and 

 is making a home for himself and family, realizes the necessity of planting 

 something in the way of fruit trees, from the fact that it adds largely to the 

 health, comfort, and profit of the family. The first thing to be considered is 

 the selection of varieties. The varieties best suited to the family and home use 

 should be the first thing to be provided, so that the family may have fresh fruit 

 the entire year. Next come the varieties for the commercial orchard, which 

 should be selected entirely with reference to profit in dollars and cents. Care- 

 ful observation, with good judgment, will enable any one to be quite accurate 

 in making selections for this purpose, keeping in view the kind of soil upon 

 which the orchard is to be set, and adaptability of varieties to that soil and 

 location. A mistake in this matter of selection cannot be readily corrected, 

 and not without loss, if at all. It is of almost equal importance that the loca- 

 tion be what it should, as the best varieties with the best care will fail to 

 produce satisfactory results in an unfavorable location. Select the highest 

 elevation upon the farm, on account of its being warm and dry, and less liable 

 to the frost of spring and autumn. Whatever the location, the soil should be 

 dry and free from surface-water. If it is not, then tile, or some sort of under- 



