TWENTIETH ANNUAL MEETING. o7 



Ann Arbor. It is not to the credit of the fruitgrowers of the west and 

 southwest parts of the state, that lower rates are likely to come by rivalry 

 of railway lines than through the growers' combined action. 



While there was everywhere prevalent, even in the forests, a blighted 

 and unhealthy condition of foliage, last season, there was not an unusual 

 amount of the blight of pear and quince, and there has been advance in 

 knowledge of preventive and curative methods with this disease as well as 

 with the various fungi which kills the leaves or scabs, cracks, or rots the 

 fruit of the apple, peach, plum, and pear. In the large peach district of the 

 southwest a considerable increase of yellows was noticed, but this was 

 finally considered to be a two-years increase, because many of the infected 

 trees doubtless were so in 1889 but did not show it promptly, not having 

 been in fruit. I fear that the disease will be much more manifest if the 

 trees generally bear in 1891, for it is undeniable that this second failure 

 of the crop has caused neglect this year in many orchards. 



The present yellows law seems to be sufficient in its terms and pro- 

 visions. Whatever faults it has are chiefly those common to other statutes — 

 it does not enforce itself Nor is it, in all sections, enforced as one would 

 suppose the self-interest and common-sense of fruitgrowers would cause 

 it to be. In this connection I would commend to the attention of the 

 society and the committee on legislation, the proposal, to be made by letter 

 from Mr. A. J. Knisely of Benton Harbor, at this meeting, to secure an 

 act, similar to the yellows law, for inspection of plum orchards for suppres- 

 sion of black-knot. This disease is quite as contagious to the xalum, and 

 quite as fatal, as is yellows to the peach. 



The annual fair of the society was again held with the Detroit Exposi- 

 tion, and was again a success, despite the too darly date (Aug. 26 to Sept. 

 7), and the failure of the fruit crop. Yet we had quite 1,000 plates of 

 fruit; what was lacking in this respect being well supplied, so far as 

 either quantity or appearance went, by the large show of vegetables and 

 the remarkably fine floral display. I am unable at this time to say what 

 is likely to be our arrangements for an exhibition in 1891. 



The improved financial condition of the society over that of one year 

 ago is highly gratifying, the balance of cash on hand now, after payment 

 of all expenses up to the opening of this meeting, being $233.65, against a 

 balance of $42.96 at a similar period one year ago. 



I would heartily commend the plan, proposed by our jDresident, for 

 cooperation of this society with the national department of agriculture, in 

 all respects stated, as well as its corollary, closer relations between this 

 society and the district and county societies of the state. The 

 horticulturists of Michigan were never so well organized for mutual 

 support and advantage as under the auxiliary system of membership 

 established some years ago by ex- Secretary Garfield. I believe that its 

 re-establishment, in connection with these new relations to the department 

 of agriculture, may be easily accomplished. That it would be beneficial to 

 all concerned can not be questioned. 



During the year fifteen orders were drawn upon the treasury, aggregating 

 $194.31. These expenditures may be classified thus: 



President's office $4 00 



Volume of 1889 18 00 



Exchanges 6 85 



Librarian's salary 37 50 



