PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 



HELD AT LAWTON. DECEMBER 27, 28, AND 29, 1894. 



Seldom has the Michigan State Horticultural Society held a larger or 

 'pleasanter meeting than was its twenty-third annual at Lawton, the 27th, 

 28th, and 29th of December. At no time were there less than 200 persons 

 in attendance, while at times there were more than 300; and nearly every 

 -one of them was a fruitgrower, save as he brought his wife along. 



The meetings were held in the comfortable town hall, and every pro- 

 vision was made for the entertainment of the very many attendants from 

 about the state, nearly every quarter of which was represented, and never 

 did they receive a heartier welcome. 



One of the pleasantest features of the occasion was the music furnished 

 •by a company of singers who seemed to think no sacrifice of time too great 

 for the pleasure of their guests, and whose songs were both well rendered 

 and pleasing in character. From first to last they were present and ready 

 "to respond to every call, and the calls were frequent after their quality was 

 learned. ' 



In great degree, the success of the meeting was due to the labors of the 

 several local committees. These comprised the following ladies and gen- 

 tlemen, and never did such committees do their work in more perfection: 

 To solicit subscriptions, N. Atwell, F. E. Bitely, C. Dunham; to decorate 

 hall, T. R. Smith, Frank Stainton, Charles Stainton, E. S. Jones; to 

 furnish music, Mrs. M. H. Smith, Mrs. Henry Ford, Mrs. C. D. Lawton, 

 Miss Gertrude Bitely. 



Very many of the visitors were taken about the country by their hosts 

 -and shown the wonderful vineyards which crown every hill and stretch 

 down into the valley, greater in number than anywhere else in Michigan, 

 and as thickly covering the farms as in the Chautauqua or any of the 

 famed California districts. 



