ANNUAL MEETING. 127 



six inches through. If this variety is properly picked and packed they will 

 keep till Jnne. 



The Baldwin, which originated in the State of Massachusetts, is large, 

 roundish, deep bright red, juicy, good, flavor; tree vigorous, upright grower, 

 and very productive. Tliis variety has been generally condemned on account 

 of its failing to stand our cold winters, but it has always stood the winters, 

 except that of 1875. I think if it were grafted in some hardy stock we should 

 bo able to grow a hardier tree. This variety should not be grown too fast; 

 never cultivated more than two years; then seed to grass, then mow two years, 

 leaving the aftermath on the ground. A great deal depends on the pruning 

 of this variety to make it hardy; if the tree is a large thrifty one when it is 

 set, and the center limb in the top is taken out when the tree comes into 

 bearing, the center will begin to rot, then the limbs begin to drop, and soon 

 your tree is gone. 



The Northern Spy originated in the State of New York. It is large, 

 roundish, slightly conical, somewhat ribbed, striped, with the sunny side nearly 

 covered with red; it is mild, sub-acid, rich, and of delicious flavor, being one 

 of our best dessert apples. My experience with this variety is that it is a very 

 tardy and uneven bearer, and the fruit rots very badly on the tree. When 

 young, the tree is a good grower and very hardy. I am not in favor of prun- 

 ing apple trees with any instrument much larger than a pruning knife, but 

 this tree might be an exception, the top growing very compact. 



The Rhode Island Greening is generally called the chief of cooking apples, 

 and it also stands high for dessert or market, but the skin is rather tender for 

 shipping, sliowing bruises badly. Two years ago I met a dealer in Milwaukee 

 who wanted one thousand barrels of apples, and wanted them all Rliode Island 

 Greenings, The tree is a thrifty grower and very hardy; limbs are inclined 

 to grow to the ground. The outside limbs should be trimmed off. Avoid 

 setting crotched top trees of this variety. It has generally proved productive, 

 but it has not proved so with me. With good care it will keep till March. 



The Golden Russet is one of the finest varieties grown in this part of Michi- 

 gan. The tree is hardy, a thrifty grower, and a good bearer. The fruit is 

 medium size, dull russet with a tinge of red on the exposed side, flesh rich 

 and highly flavored, and will keep till June. If you want some very fine 

 apples for dessert in the spring, select a barrel or more of this variety, roll 

 them up in a paper as you usually see oranges, and pack them in a tight 

 barrel. Put them in the cellar rrntil ready to use, and you will have some 

 Michigan oranges. 



The hour having arrived, according to the published programme, for the 



MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT LYON. 



He spoke as follows : 



lo the Members of the Michigan Slate Horticultural Society: 



In presenting, at the close of the year, some suggestions drawn from past 

 observation and experience, I trust I may be excused if I pass over the finan- 

 cial condition of the society's affairs, leaving this to the annual report of the 

 Treasurer; and omit any extended statement of the operations of the past 

 year, since this will doubtless appear in the annual report of tlie Secretary. 



Our remarks, therefore, will take the form of suggestions or queries respect- 

 ing the operations of the future, with only such references to the past as shall 

 naturally occur in such connection. 



