EEPORTS OF AUXILIARY SOCIETIES. 309 



POMOLOGY AND POMOLOGISTS. 



Mr. Ramsdale first referred to the struggles of inventors and their perseveriftg 

 self-sacrifice, showing that every thing of value cost labor and treasure. He 

 claimed the true pomologists arc not the newspaper writers, theorists, farmers, 

 etc., but the men who give i^omology their undivided attention. The great 

 trouble with South Haven pomologists is to be found in the fact that they raise 

 grain, bees, etc. Too many of the members of the society are engaged in other 

 business, but those who pay strict attention to pomology are the most success- 

 ful. The society needs a larger regular attendance and more interest mani- 

 fested in its discussions. He advocated the starting by the society of a 

 small experimental fruit farm on which new varieties of fruit and different 

 methods of cultivation could be tested at the expense of all the members. 



The president then called upon Mr. A. D. Healy, who read a very excellent 

 paper on the seed growing industry, in which he showed that the lake shore 

 was a peculiarly favorable locality for seed-growing as it was for develop- 

 ing the flesh which encloses the seeds. He gave the localities in which divers 

 seeds are successfully grown, and claimed that for most classes of seeds the 

 locality of South Haven is admirably adapted. He had been experimenting 

 for two years with several sorts and was well satisfied with his success. 



Mr. Boardman, of Chicago, was next introduced to the audience, and he 

 made a few remarks concerning the rapid progress made by South Haven and 

 vicinity, after which supper was announced. 



The tables extended the entire length of the large hall and were loaded with 

 the substantials and luxuries of life. Indeed it was a palatable repast such as 

 is rarely spread, and reflected great credit upon the generosity and cuisine 

 knowledge of the ladies. The viands were highly relished, and this portion of 

 the evening's programme was certainly not the least enjoyable. After the audi- 

 ence had done ample justice to the delicious food provided, in response to loud 

 calls for him, C. J. Monroe made a few encouraging remarks concerning 



THE YELLOWS. 



Mr. Monroe said that all recognized the peach as the king of fruits, and 

 statistics show that nothing as profitable as the peach grows out of the ground. 

 The past thirty years have demonstrated that no other crop grown on this lake 

 shore has been as profitable as the peach, and he thought the prospect was cheer- 

 ing. He does not feel like taking the "blues" over the yellows, which has been 

 operating unfavorably for years. He is satisfied that notwithstanding the yel- 

 lows, peach culture can be pursued profitably. The only course to pursue is to 

 take out and destroy trees tainted with the disease root and branch, planting 

 young ones to take their places. The experience of St. Joseph with the yellows 

 is not a fair criterion. In St. Joseph the growers did not know the disease, and 

 permitted the aflfected trees to stand until their whole orchards were destroyed. 

 The figures of the yellows commissioners show that the disease is on the wane 

 here, and he thinks everything looks promising for the peach-growers of South 

 Haven. 



On motion of A. S. Dyckman, C. J. Monroe was requested to further investi- 

 gate the subject of yellows and peach culture, and submit an essay thereon to 

 the society. 



On motion, the thanks of the society were tendered Messrs. French Bros, for 

 the crockery and glassware used at supper, after which the meeting adjourned. 



