FRUIT GROWING AT SOUTH HAVEN. 



PRESIDENT PHILLIPS' SECOND ANNUAL ADDRESS, READ BEFORE THB 

 SOUTH HAVEN POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, DECEMBER 30, 1873. 



Gentlemen, — The year 1872 lias almost passed, and, according to our rules, 

 this evening closes the ofBcial duties of the officers elected one year ago to- 

 night; and this evening, too, is for the election of a new set of officers to con- 

 duct the affairs of our local Society for the year 1873, and it is no common 

 favor to be chosen by such a people as we see enrolled as members of the 

 South Haven Pomological Society, to places of honor and trust. We, as a 

 Society, are two years old. Does any one present claim to know the amount 

 of good that has been accomplished in that time, both directly and indirectly, 

 by those of us who are steady at their post as the needle to the pole, ready 

 ■with their time, money and experience to carry out the laudable object for 

 which we were organized? Although we are so young, and came from so 

 many States, we have, by our friendly interchange of thought and experience, 

 formed friendships I trust never to be broken. Our very occupation is calcu- 

 lated to unite us in one common brotherhood, for who among us does not 

 bring forward his best fruits when his fraternal friends call for mutual inter- 

 change of thoughts, feelings and experiences of our success, prosperity and 

 expectations, or failures, from want of knowledge of tree, vine or plant adapted 

 to our particular soil ? Co-operation of individuals, as well as societies, is cal- 

 culated to instruct and inspire each of us to greater zeal and activity in the 

 production of all the finest fruits that can be successfully grown in this, our 

 favored location. As this eastern shore of Lake Michigan is so well adapted 

 to the growth and perfection of so many varieties of the more delicate fruits, 

 it becomes us as fruit-growers to learn of each other of the things that per- 

 tain to Pomology. 



Surely God has not placed us here in the midst of such a fruit-growing sec- 

 tion, with such a soil, climate, harbor and market, without some good design. 



What have we accomplished in the year 1873 ? 



By our united effort and influence a splendid Pomological Hall has been 

 built on the Public Park, and dedicated to the interest of Pomology and kin- 

 dred sciences. 



By invitation, the State Pomological Society have held a very interesting and 

 instructive meeting among us, and many valuable acquaintances and friend- 

 ships were formed. 



We have grown, collected and exhibited our fruits at the Great Union Fair, 

 held at Grand Eapids, and after a careful examination the committee awarded 



