280 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



BENZIE COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



PREPARED BY J. W. VAN DEMAN, SECRETARY. 



At the annual meeting held in Benzonia, Benzie county, December 5, 

 1881, Hiram M.Spicer, of Frankfort, was elected President, J. W. VanDeman,of 

 Bt-nz'>nia, Secretary, and A. G. Butler, of Frankfort, Treasurer. In accordance 

 with our amendment to the constitution weappointed for Benzonia township, J. 

 J. Hubbell Vice President, Chas. F. Burroughs Township Secretary; for Blaine 

 township (Gilmore P. 0.) "Wm. G. Voorheis Vice President, 0. E. Putney 

 Townsliip Secretary ; for Joyfield township, Chas. H. Parker Vice President, 

 J. S. Perry Township Secretary; for Crystal Lake (Frankfort), James Mc- 

 Kelvie Vice Pn^sident, August Schmidt Township Secretary; for Pleasanton, 

 township, D. R. Van Amburg Vice President, A. M. Warren Township Secretary. 

 The regular meetings for the year 1882 were appointed for every fourth 

 Wednesday evening, and the calendar was printed on postal cards and sent to 

 eacn member. 



The first monthly meeting was held at Pleasanton (Van Amburg school 

 house), Manistee county, January 4, J882;Vice President Van Amburg con- 

 ducted tlie meeting. The secretary explained the object of the society and the 

 advantages of our amendment to the constitution, by which whenever a town- 

 ship in our county or vicinity has a membership of live we appoint for them a 

 local vice president and secretary, who can conduct regular monthly meetings 

 in their coninuinities in the absence of the president and secretary who cannot 

 always attend every meeting. In this way by liolding meetings in different 

 parts ol tlie county, we give opprotunity to many persons interested in fruit 

 growing, but who cannot go very far from their farms to attend such meetings, 

 to reap many advantages from the knowledge of others and to impart to their 

 visitors some items from their store house of experience. We think this a 

 vabiable feature of our work. 



Vice-President C. H. Parker of Joyfield, followed with remarks in the same 

 strain, encouraging (ruit men to instruct and help each other and unite in hor- 

 ticultural work. 



The first topic for discussion was " What is the best for us to raise in this 

 region, grain or fruit?" Remarks were favorable to fruit growing as much 

 more profitable acre for acre. 



Second topic discussed: "What is the proper distance to set fruit trees 

 from each other?" Apples two rods, peaciies, pears, and plums one rod. 



Third topic : " What is the proper height to head fruit trees ? " Low heads, 

 tHree to lour leet, were favored by most of those present. 



There was a good show of specimens of Golden Russet, Roxbury Russet, Green- 

 ing, RawJe's Janet, and Ben Davis apples. Excellent grapes were shown by 

 C. H. Parker, well [)reserved and good for eating; varieties, Salem, Ionia, Aga- 

 wam. Perkins, and Isabella. The meeting was a success. 



Tile next regular meeting was to be held in Blaine township, February 1, but 

 the secretary being absent Irom the county and members not knowing the cer- 

 tainty of a meeting, none was held. 



