ANNUAL MEETING. 1G5 



bouquet with her own hands, and then requested her father to take it to the 

 meeting of the State Horticultural Society. Her delightful message has been 

 delivered, and has been well received. All honor to the thoughtful little 

 maiden who has set a noble example for others to follow. 



How mucli better it would be if more of tlie daughters of Michigan would 

 pay greater attention to raising plants and less to reading sentimental second 

 rate stories; spend more time in the vegetable and fruit garden, and less time 

 in thinking how they can spend money in extravagant dress. Happy is the 

 family where children are taught to study the works of nature. 

 Respectfully submitted by your committee, 



W. J. Beal, Lansing, 



E. LeValley, Ionia, 



J. J. Atherly, South Haven. 



On motion of Mr. Pearsall, the report was accepted and the secretary 

 instructed to place it in the printed report of this meeting. 



Mr. Lyon followed with a report of the standing committee on 



NEW FRUITS. 



To the Michigan Slate Horticultural Society : 



The undersigned, chairman of the standing committee on new fruits, would 

 respectfully report that, owing probably to the paucity of the fruit crop of the 

 State the past season, the members of the committee have failed to report any 

 novelties as coming under their observation since the date of our previous 

 annual report. 



This is stated for the reason that, in submitting some account of my own 

 experience in the testing of fruits comparatively little known in our State, it 

 would be manifestly improper not to clearly exonerate my associates upon the 

 committee from any responsibility for tlie statements I may think proper to 

 submit. 



STRAWBERRIES. 



"We will, in treating of this fruit, consider the varieties, as nearly as may be, 

 in the order of their ripening; remarking, however, that owing to the excep- 

 tional character of the season, their relative periods of ripening will be very 

 likely to vary in other seasons. 



Philadelphia, which was received from Ohio, with no account of its origin, 

 proves to be a vigorous, staminate variety; but, judging by this season's 

 experience, unproductive and nearly worthless. 



Black Giant is one of the numerous seedlings originated by Duraud, of New 

 Jersey. It is vigorous, moderately productive, and rich in color. Under 

 ordinary treatment, in matted rows, it proves deficient in both size and pro- 

 ductiveness. Staminate. 



Early Canada originated with A. M. Smith, of St. Catharines, Ontario, in 

 1880. It ripens among the early sorts, and possesses some promising char- 

 acteristics as a market variety. Staminate. 



Longfellow originated with A. D. Webb, of Kentucky. It is very vigorous, 

 and enormously productive; fruit very large, much elongated, crimson; mild 

 and pleasant in flavor, and moderately firm in texture. It is a good amateur 

 fruit, and will probably prove profitable for a near market. It may be classed 

 among early varieties. Staminate. 



Bright Ida is a variety originated by that notable hybridist, Chas. Arnold, 



