150 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



A few words on the importance and character of the orchard committee. There 

 IS perhaps no work done through the instrumentality of the State Pomological 

 Society that ranks in importance and vital interest to the fruit growers of the 

 State with this work, and none so difficult to perform. Its magnitude and 

 character is such that it is difficult to find persous that can, or are willing to, 

 sacrifice the time and expense necessary to perform the duties required. To 

 one of your committee it has involved the present season not less than twenty- 

 four working days in examining the orchards, gardens, and vineyards on our 

 list of entries, and upwards of 1,300 miles of travel by rail, traversing twenty- 

 five different counties of the State. Here is too much work for the time given, 

 but we could spare no more. I must repeat the suggestion of a former com- 

 mittee that three men are sufficient. Our committee o^ Jive was too large, and 

 much difficulty was experienced and time lost in endeavoring to get them to- 

 gether and keep them long enough to finish the work in one locality. Most of 

 the time not more than two, or three at best, could be kept together, and much, 

 of the work was done by one alone. I believe that three are better than more, 

 and two better than three, and that 07ic thoroughly competent person who 

 could spare the time, and if necessary call to his assistance pomologists in the 

 different sections visited at the time of examination, would be far better than a 

 greater number, and the work would be done with less expense and more ef- 

 fectually. This person could take abundance of time, and should be allowed 

 a reasonable compensation per diem for his work. 



THE COMMITTEE MAKE THEIK PARTING SALUTE. 



It is exceedingly appropriate to say that our acknowledgments are due to 

 the pomologists of the various places we were called to visit, and especially are 

 we under many and lasting obligations to our friends of the city of Monroe and 

 yicinity, to the people of the Grand Traverse region, to the Pomologists of 

 Spring Lake, Adrian, Battle Creek, Jackson, and Ionia, for the manifold at- 

 tentions and kind hospitalities that greeted us on every hand. They have 

 loaded ns down with a debt of gratitude too great, I fear, for us to cancel, 

 with the uncertainties of human events before us. They have our heartfelt 

 thanks and kindest wishes. We cannot close without contributing our feeble 

 testimony to the very liberal and generous spirit extended to us by the several 

 railroad companies, and for the material help in furnishing us free passes over 

 their respective roads. We would especially acknowledge our obligations and 

 extend the thanks of our society to the Grand Kapids & Indiana, to the Flint 

 & Pere Marquette, to the Chicago & Michigan Lake Shore, and the Detroit »& 

 Milwaukee Eailroads, who rendered us all the aid we could desire in furthering 

 the progress of our work, and we only regret that the Michigan Central and 

 the Michigan Southern saw fit to treat our society with a less liberal policy. 

 These roads are old roads, and have grown rich in the development of the agri- 

 cultural and horticultural interests of the State, and would have suffered in no 

 material manner had they passed our committee over their lines, thus aiding 

 our society in the same spirit with the other roads of the State. Nor would 

 we omit to mention the liberality of Messrs. Dexter & Nobles of Elk Rapids, 

 in placing at our disposal their steam yacht the "Jennie Sutton," during our 

 stay at Traverse, and also for their kind invitation to view the scenery around 

 the inland lakes from Elk Eapids through Intermediate, Torch, and other 

 lake^ seventy miles distant, and back, free of cost, on their elegant steamer 

 Queen of the Lakes. It was a sad disappointment to us that time would not 

 permit of our accepting their very kind invitation. 



