308 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



and the devastating fires are rapidly sweeping these monarchs from the land. 

 And, even now, in sections that have been cleared but twelve or fifteen years, 

 the only specimens remaining are those found in inaccessible ravines or impene- 

 trable swamps. Patriotic ffeling should prompt us to take measures to pre- 

 serve specimens of this grand tree before it is too late. Then, let us resolve to 

 give them place in our grounds as single specimens, groups, and ornamental 

 hedges. 



Mr. S. G. ShefFer was next called upon and read an essay on 



nUMAif PKOGRESS. 



The essay was a splendid production, giving the most sublime thoughts in 

 chaste and elegant language. Nothing short of a full report would do it 

 justice, and this would compel us to omit some of the essays having a more 

 direct bearing on practical pomology and kindred subjects. 



The president then called upon Mr. I). B. Williams, who gave the following 



REPORT OF YELLOWS COMMISSIONER. 



* In 1879 he had examined G2,85G peach trees, and of these 2,245, or 3| per 

 cent were diseased with the yellows. In 1880 ho examined 68,757 trees, and 

 found 5,G74, or a little over 8 per cent, diseased. In 1881 he examined 71,353 

 trees, and found 3,256, or 4| per cent, diseased. And in 1882 of the 120,425 

 trees he examined, only 4,544, or less than 4 per cent, had the yellows. 



Hon. A. S. Dyckman was next called upon by the president, and his response 

 in rhyme was greatly enjoyed by the audience. 



The president then called upon Mr. Joseph Lannin, who delivered an excel- 

 ent speech on the 



CIVILIZING INFLUENCES OF FRUIT GROWING. 



Mr. Lannin first alluded to the number of societies in this place. A little 

 over a year ago the Messenger had suggested the propriety of organizing an 

 antiquarian society and the suggestion was accepted by a number of gentlemen, 

 the consequence being that tSouth Haven has now a very flourishing Antiqua- 

 rian Society. lie referred to the Pomological Society as an evergreen one, 

 which bloomed the year round, and alluded to the benefits it has conferred 

 npon fruit growers. He claimed that those nations who had attained to a high 

 degree of civilization were fruit growers, and in proof of this he referred to 

 India, whose people live on fruit and vegetables. The history of the musty 

 past shows that India had attained to a high state of civilization. He cited 

 Egypt, Greece, the Valley of the Euphrates, and other eminent fruit growing 

 countries in the east that had made marked progress in the arts and sciences, 

 and contrasted these powerful nations with the carnivorous hordes that 

 inhabited the high lands of Asia, leading a nomadic life, with no schools, no 

 laws, and no advancement in civilization. In conclusion Mr. Lannin referred 

 to the intelligence and spirit of progression so characteristic of South Haven 

 and the surrounding fruit growers, and spoke of the great benefit pomologists 

 derived from the weeklv meetings of the societv. 



The President next called upon Mr. II. J. Edgell, who read an essay on 



GOOD ROADS, 



Which was full of practical ideas concerning road making. 

 Mr. J. H. Ilamsdell followed with an essay on 



