REPORT OF MEETINGS. 537 



PKOCEEDIXGS OF TUE ANNUAL MEETIXG, 



The annual meeting of the Michigan State Pomological Society o])ened on 

 Monday afternoon, December 2, 1874, at the Circuit Court room in Bayard's 

 Block, with a good attendance from abroad and of residents of Ionia county. 



The society was called to order at two o'clock by President Dyckman. The 

 following committees were appointed: 



On Apples— 1. T. Lyon, S. Haven ; I). T. Fox, Kalamazoo; Lyman Hall, Spring Lake ; 

 H.B. Chapman, Reading; Jas. W. Looniis, Ionia. 



Other Fruits and Wints—y^m. Rowe, Kent Co.; II. W. Curtis, Grand Traverse; E. P. 

 Eelsey, Ionia ; N. Chilson, Battle Creek ; R. F. Johnstone, Detroit. 



Ilowers — Prof. Beal, Lansing ; H. Dale Adams, Kalamazoo ; Mrs. 11. B. Chapman, Read- 

 ing; Mrs. F. Hall, Ionia; Mrs. J. W. Loomis, Ionia. 



The secretary read some papers relating to the centennial exhibition at Phil- 

 adelphia. The following w^ere appointed a committee of arrangements in 

 regard to the i^atter : 



Professor C. L. Whitney of Muskegon; Secretary Thompson, T. T. Lyon, 

 S. 0. Knapp, Professor Holmes, of Detroit, and Perry Hannah of Traverse 

 City. 



Peter Sneatheu of South Boston presented a report on crops, which, in his 

 section, were good in all respects. He thought the best preventive for the 

 operations of the codling moth was a band of dark fulled cloth around the 

 trunk of the tree. 



George Parmelee read a very interesting paper on the '•' Nomenclature of 

 Fruits Exhibited at the last State Fair." 



George Hosford of Ionia read a paper on the " Introduction of Concord 

 Grape Culture in Ionia County." 



Ionia, Mich., November 28, 1874. 



I am asked to prepare a few facts relative to the introduction of the Concord grape in Mich- 

 igan. In complying with this request I would say : I saw the first published account of the 

 origin and qualities of this excellent grape, and subsequently saw reports of committees re- 

 specting it. I thought it might do as well in Michigan as in Massachusetts, and resolved to 

 give it a trial if possible. In the spring of 18o4, I think, I saw Hovey & Co. 's advertisement 

 oflfering for sale a few one-year-old Concord plants at $40 per dozen, or $5 apiece. 



I sent an order directly, with pay for one vine. In a few days I received an answer ac- 

 knowledging the receipt of the money, saying also that as soon as it would do to take up the 

 -vine it would be forwarded. It arrived in due time, in a good condition. I paid Mr. David 

 Irish, express agent at Ionia at that time, two dollars charges. I took my seven-dollar vine 

 home and planted it. The third year it produced a few very fine clusters of fruit. I felt 

 quite proud of my treasure, and showed it to my friends and neighbors, but got no word of 

 sympathy or cheer. People said, " Fool and money parted," " hazardous enterprise," and 

 many other remarks were made of a similar import. But all these things had no power to 

 discourage me. I braved many discouragements for years, trying to establish a reputation 

 for this fruit, and by persistent efforts did finally succeed in this locality. Many others are 

 equally interested now; and a few years will develop an interest in this direction that will 

 be second to but few others in the State. 



This, in brief, is a correct statement as near as I am able to give in relation to this sub- 

 ject I now iiave seven acres in grapes bearing. I sold ten tons of fruit and made 280 

 gallons of wine this year, 1874; net, 5^ cents per pound. ^^^^^^ HOSFORD. 



THE BEST CHERRIES. 



The committee appointed to report on the best cherries for cultivation in 



this State, submitted the following: 



Ionia, Dec. 3, 1874. 

 The committee appointed to report a list of cherries for cultivation, in performing that 

 -duty would at the outset state two facts: First„the numljer of varieties of cherries that 

 -Lave been well proved in this State is not large ; and again, we are not in favor of naming 



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