64 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



speakers he presented held the interest of those present for over two 

 hours. One thing strongly apparent, was the loyalty of the Traverse 

 Citj' people who responded to toasts to their part of the county. Such 

 a home spirit is to be commended. When everyone gives a boost some- 

 thing has to move for the bettenuent of the locality. 



Mr. Case, of New York, responded to the toast, "Associated Effort," 

 and took biblical times to illustrate the value of such effort. Prof. 

 Eustace spoke of the Agricultural College and urged that all be friendly 

 to that institution. He invited friendly criticism as well as encourage- 

 ment. Mr, Hart, a student at the college, spoke on the subject of unified 

 effort. In his talk he paid high compliments to Prof. Eustace and his 

 ability as an advisor and teacher. At the close of his toast Mr. Hart 

 called on the M. A. C. men present to give the college yell, Avhich cer- 

 tainly well illustrated imified effort. 



Mr. Farnsworth asked that we give more attention to the human fac- 

 tor in agriculture and strongly urged that we give more attention to 

 the most important crop of the county, the boys and girls. Mr. Roland 

 Morrill gave a short sketch of his early experiences in the peach busi- 

 ness, which was full of value and interest. 



It was only after Mr. Sherwood accused him of eating peas with his 

 knife and thereby giving the plant breeder, Mr. Burbank, the inspira- 

 tion to breed a square pea that Mr. fiassett, our secretary, consented to 

 say anything. After coming back at Mr. Sherwood in good form he 

 urged improvements in ourselves and our way of doing things. 



The chief speaker of the Wednesday afternoon session was Roland 

 Morrill, famous for ])eaches, of Benton Harbor, who spoke on the 

 present status of the i)each industry. In his very able presentation 

 which was inters])ersed with many terse ]>hilosophical truths, he showed 

 that in INIichigan we had nothing to fear from competition of other 

 peach growing districts. Statistics showed that in the agregate this 

 state was heavily in the peach business, but individually it was not. He 

 said that the Elberta reigned su])renie in the peach business and wher- 

 ever it could be grown successfully this industry became of commercial 

 importance. The time of ripening of this variety in this state gave us 

 the advantage over other parts of the country as that time is the usual 

 canning time for the housewives. INIr. IMorrill made a special ])lea for 

 honesty in packing so that the state could maintain an eager demand 

 for this fruit. 



STUDENTS' SPEAKING CONTEST. 



The students' speaking contest opened the Wednesday afternoon ses- 

 sion. Without exception the subjects were well selected, practical and 

 well given. It was very difiicult for the audience, who were the judges, 

 to select the winners. The decision of the hearers was as follows: 



1st. Ernest Hart, of Rochester, N. Y., Avhose subject was, ''Does it 

 Pay to Renovate Apple Orchards?'' 



2nd. J. A. Petrie, Kalamazoo, Mich., who spoke of the shot-hole 

 fungus of the cherry. 



3rd. A. L. Coons, Lowell, Mich., whose topic was, "Market 

 Preferences." 



