110 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



that to disclose such facts interferes with their business. Over one half 

 of the township of South Haven is yet unimproved, Casco, in Allegan 

 county, being the locality of our main product; but now Covert, to the 

 south of us, is rapidly increasing. There is no need of fear of over- 

 production. It will be a long time before we can overdo the business if 

 proper distribution is secured. 



Mr. Barnard of Illinois: Has anything been done in Benton Harbor 

 toward canning or evaporating the surplus? 



Mr. Morrill: We have provision for both. There are two very large 

 factories. 



ANNUAL ELECTION OF OFFICERS. 



Here the committee on nominations announced themselves ready to 

 report. Their recommendations were unanimously adopted, the secretary 

 being instructed to cast the requisite ballots, which was done with this- 

 result: 



President — Roland Morrill of Benton Harbor. 



Secretary — Edwy C. Reid of Allegan. 



Treasurer — Evart H. Scott of Ann Arbor. 



Executive Board for three years — C. W. Garfield of Grand Rapids- 

 and F. J. Russell of Hart; to fill vacancy, one year, T. T. Lyon of South 

 Haven. 



Following the annual election of officers came the reading of the sub- 

 joined paper by Mr. J. N. Stearns of Kalamazoo, his subject being: 



FRUITS I HAVE FOUND IT PROFITABLE TO GROW. 



For more than twenty-five years it has been a constant study with me to 

 know what to plant for profit and how to get the best returns out of what I 

 have, and I doubt not that is what has brought the most of us here today, 

 the hope or wish to learn more on this line. 



There are certain fruits that, if managed properly, nearly always pay, 

 on account of their keeping and handling qualities. 



Among the former we might mention the strawberry and peach, and of 

 the latter the gooseberry and pear. 



When I first commenced growing fruits for market, I found the red rasp- 

 berry one of great profit for several years, not selling a quart in Kalamazoo 

 for less than twenty-five cents net, boxes returned. I had the monopoly of 

 the market, and when it was likely to be overstocked I would make a few 

 shipments to Detroit and Jackson, so as to keep the price up in our own 

 town, where I sold the most of my crop. But this state of things could 

 not always last in this progressive America. My neighbors soon began to 

 think there was money in growing the raspberries, and there grew up sharp 

 competition and low prices, so for several years there has been but little 

 profit in the raspberry. 



I will say here that my remarks in this paper will apply mainly to my 

 experience in fruitgrowing in South Haven. 



