270 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



LENAAYEE AND HILLSDALE HOKTICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 



PREPARED BY GEO. D. MOORE, SECRETARY. 

 OFFICERS. 



Fresidoit — J. U. Harkness. 



Secretary — Geo. D. Moore. 



Treasurer — R. H. Rodgers. 



It will be impossible to make a very satisfactory report siuce uniting with the 

 State Horticultural society. Since that date (April) we have held four meet- 

 ings, and several interesting discussions have taken place on horticultural 

 topics. Two essays I append to this report containing points worth saving: 



The taste for horticulture and pomology has greatly improved the last few 

 years within the jurisdiction of our organization, and a growing interest is yearly 

 manifested by the taste displayed in the ornamentation of homes and the way- 

 sides. Our annual election occurs the second Tuesday in January, A new 

 force of officers will undoubtedly give new life to the society, and in the future 

 make the Union more worthy of a connection with the State Horticultural 

 society, than it has been in the past. There are 27 names on the roll, and it is 

 hoped with the new year that all will renew their membership and that many 

 new members may be added. 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURE. 

 BY Y. WENZEL. 



In discussing this subject, I need not tell you how pleasant and delightful it 

 is to have our tables plentifully supplied with strawberries, for you all know 

 that large, nice berries, fresh from the vines, with sugar and cream, are not 

 hard to take. If the farmers' tables of our land were better supplied with 

 fruit, and less with greasy pork, we should have less scrofula, and have better 

 health. 



Strawberries, raspberries, currants, blackberries, and grapes will supply the 

 table from June until frost and snow come, fresh from the vines, and with the 

 good housewife's care, the table after this season may be supplied with canned 

 fruit and jelly — and with plenty of vegetables from the garden, less bills will 

 be paid for groceries and meats. 



Many of our farmei's' wives and daughters, too, will ramble over fields and 

 climb fences after wild berries, and spend a great deal of time and hard work, 

 and often get more scratches than berries — and the berries have more seeds 

 than flesh — when they might just as well, with less labor, cultivate a few rods 

 of berries at home, and have all the fruit their hearts could wish. 



Now the qui^stion, "Why is it that there are so many farmers that are not 

 supplied with these comforts and luxuries of life ?"' 



One will say, " I have no time ; too mucli other work to do." Well, it will 

 take no longer to plant a patch of berries than it will to plant a patch of pota- 



