ANNUAL MEETING. 211 



matted row system exclusively, putting rows four feet apart, and from one to 

 one and a half feet in the row. Cultivate and keep clean first season, and 

 mulch with straw as soon as the ground freezes; leave the straw on until after 

 fruiting, then mow off weeds and leaves, and plough hetween the rows, then 

 harrow botii ways, and let it go without any more work, and set a new planta- 

 tion every spring, as we find wo can do so more cheaply than to clean out the 

 old plantation, and are sure of a crop every year. 



COMMITTEE REPORTS. 



The following announcement of premiums had been sent out previous to the 

 •convention in connection with the scheme of topics: 



The State Society offers the following list of premiums, and there should be 

 H fine exhibit of specimens : 



1. Best three single plates of winter market apples of different varieties. 

 First premium, $^.00; second premium, $1.00. 



3. Best three single plates of winter apples for cooking purposes, of different 

 varieties. First premium, $2.00; second premium, $1.00. 



3. Best three single plates of winter dessert apjiles of different varieties. 

 First premium, $"2.00; second premium, $1.00. 



4. Most beautiful plate of apples on exhibition, color, form, general perfec- 

 tion, and size of specimen to rule. First premium, $1.00; second premium, 

 75 cents; third premium, 50 cents; fourth premium, 25 cents. 



There must be exactly five specimens of each variety, and the Awarding 

 ■Committee will consider, not only the value of the varieties for each particular 

 purpose, but the character, beauty, freedom from defects, and general perfec- 

 tion of the specimens, and be governed otherwise by the rules of the Society. 



5. Most tasteful arrangement of cut flowers, ferns, etc., made by some 

 member of the family in whose home the flowers are grown. First premium, 

 $2.00; second premium, $1,00; third premium, 50 cents. 



The Genesee County Horticultural Society is desirous of having a good dis- 

 play of vegetables, and offers the following prizes : 



6. Best and most neatly arranged display of vegetables for family use. 

 First premium, $2.00; second premium, $1.00. 



7. Best five named varieties of potatoes; exactly five tubers of each variety; 

 ■quality, freedom from blemishes, adaptability to home use rather than size, 

 to rule. First premium, $2.00; second premium, $1.00. 



8. The State Society also takes this opportunity to offer its diploma to the 

 branch society showing the best record of actual membership and work accom- 

 plish ed in 1882. Reports to be made to Secretary Garfield on or before the 

 date of the Annual Meeting, and to be acted upon by the Executive Board and- 

 read at the meeting. 



REPORT UPOK FRUITS. 



The first committee to report was that upon fruits, by P. C. Dempsey, 

 chairman. 



Your committee takes pleasure in announcing its satisfaction with the beau- 

 tiful and worthy exhibit. Many things we find that are not entered for pre- 

 mium, but have been brought to add to the interest of the meeting. 



Very fine pears, mostly of the Lawrence and Beurr D'Aujou varieties, are 

 shown by E. H. Scott, of Ann Arbor, and J. W. VanDeman, of Benzonia. 



Fine Malaga grapes are placed on exhibit by M. Edwards, of Flint. lona, 

 Diana, and Kalamazoo varieties are shown by N. E. Smith, of Ionia. A 



