18 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



ing the rather delicate subject in a sensible and pleasing way. A. F. 

 Claflin o£ Benton treated " Substitutes for clover, or how to save it," 

 which brought out a valuable discussion upon the forage question. Mrs. 

 Lucy Betts of Chester had an interesting essay upon " Farmers' clubs, 

 how made successful." One of the very best of the many good things was 

 " Kitchen culture," by Mrs. Marie Speague of Battle Creek, the ensuing 

 discussion of houskeeping methods and participation in them by the men 

 and boys being one of the most enjoyable half hours of the meeting. The 

 whole closed with a lecture by Justice C. B. Grant of the Michigan 

 supreme court upon " The enforcement of law," in which the learned 

 jurist clearly showed how and why it is the duty of officers, and not alone 

 of the private citizen, to see that crime is repressed and criminals hunted 

 down and justice meted to them. 



At many times through the programme the very best of music was sup- 

 plied. This was also greatly varied. There were vocal solos, quartets, 

 and choruses, some of these being furnished by the Congregational choir of 

 Vermontville, and in part by Charlotte people. Besides, there was, the 

 first evening, an excellent orchestra, and at other times various instru- 

 mental pieces. Not content with this treat, recitations in wide variety 

 were provided, both by ladies and by two lads, one of these of such tender 

 years or diminutive size as to need mounting on a table to get him within 

 sight of his auditors. But each selection was admirably rendered — in 

 strong contrast to the usual run of such things. 



Friday afternoon, under the lead of Mayor Merritt and Mr. Perry, with 

 assistance from President Morrill, a local horticultural society was formed, 

 to become auxiliary to the state society. In rapid succession sixty-five 

 members were enrolled. A temporary organization was effected with Mr. 

 Merritt for president, Mr. L. W. Wilton secretary, and Mr. O. E. 

 Packard treasurer. 



There was a most remarkable attendance. At no time was there a 

 vacant seat in the large circuit-court room, while in most of the sessions 

 extra benches and chairs had to be brought in, and even then people some- 

 times had to go away unable to so much as get into the room. 



The Thursday evening session was mainly occupied by two papers, the 

 one by Prof. L. R. Taft, upon "Plant Diseases," the other by Prof. 

 Gladden, also of the Agricultural College, upon "Potatoes." It is deemed 

 unnecessary to reproduce either of them here, the one being covered fre- 

 quently in the Annual Reports of the State Society, and intended for pri- 

 mary instruction for the beginners at Charlotte; and the other concerned 

 field culture of the potato rather than growing potatoes in gardens, and 

 therefore is more germane to agriculture. 



