144 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Birds are so fond of this fruit that, while this is in season, other fruits 

 ripening at the same season partially escape their attacks; for which 

 reason it is sometimes recommended to plant this as a protection. 



The following varieties are on trial here: 



Downing, planted in 1888, is a seedling of the multicaulis (an imported 

 variety, not quite hardy, even in southern Michigan), producing abundant 

 crops of large and superior fruit; ripening in succession, through a con- 

 siderable period. 



Hicks, planted in 1890, is from Kentucky, and said to be similar to the 

 foregoing. 



New American, planted in 1888, is quite distinct in habit, and apparently 

 somewhat more hardy; although both this and the Downing were seriously 

 injured by the past winter — an unusual occurrence. 



Russian, planted in 1885, proves to be of two varieties; the one with 

 dark purple fruit, and the other pale yellow. The trees are of spreading, 

 almost drooping habit, very hardy and productive. The fruit is worthless. 



Teas' Weeping, planted in 1889, is a chance seedling, originating in 

 Missouri. The habit is decidedly weeping, and the lobed, glossy foliage 

 attractive. Grafted at standard height, upon a hardy stock, it makes a 

 beautiful lawn tree. 



SERVICE BERRY, Amelanchier. 



* 



Known also as June Berry, Shad Bush; and (erroneously or fraudu- 

 lently) occasionally as Huckleberry. 



The dwarf varieties, only, are on trial here. 



Common Dwarf Service Berry, of the west, planted in 1876, forms a bush 

 two or three feet in height, producing rather light crops of fruit, of size 

 and general appearance of the huckleberry, though lacking the rich flavor 

 of the finer varieties of that fruit. It is a special favorite with the birds. 



Success, planted in 1890, is also a dwarf variety, originating upon 

 the mountains of Pennsylvania, and said to be more productive than the 

 foregoing. 



THE PEACH, Prunus Persica. 



Of this fruit thirty-seven varieties were planted during the spring of 

 1888; and the most, if not all, of these would very probably have shown 

 fruit this season, but for the warmth of last winter, which, in many cases, 

 occasioned the development of the fruit buds, almost to bursting, followed 

 by a sudden freeze, early in March, which ran the thermometer down to 

 ten or twelve degrees, ruining the buds of the less hardy fruits. 



During the past spring sixty-five additional varieties have been planted, 

 generally two trees of each, though, in a few cases, a single tree only has 

 been obtained, in which case a vacancy was left for the additional one 

 needful. The vacancies from this cause, together with a few losses, number 

 fifteen, which should be supj^lied next spring. 



Until the identity of varieties can be assured by the production of fruit, 

 all attempt at tabulation, as well as the suggestion of lists for planting, is 

 omitted. 



The trees have not suffered this season from attacks of fungi, with the 

 exception of leaf curl, Taphrina deformans developed apparently by cold 

 wet weather, occurring while the foliage was yet in a tender and growing 



