118 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



the first premium to Van Buren county. The State Orcharding Committee 

 justly awarded a large percentage of premiums to members of our Society for 

 the best in the different classes. On home adornments our genial friend, 

 Eev. Dr. Hewson, took the first premium. At our two County Fairs the 

 green, canned and dried fruit of our Society was the center of attraction, and 

 justly received the first premium for greatest collection. 



I might mention many private enterprises, such as the steam canning pro- 

 cess of F. I. Parks, the new drying process of John Williams, the successful 

 growing of figs by H. E. Bidwell, and the thorough thinning of peaches prac- 

 ticed by State President A. S. Dyckman. We, as a society, are better posted as 

 to the different varieties of fruit adapted to our location; the pruning of tree 

 and Yine; the cultivation of soil; the destruction of injurious insects, and 

 the best mode of putting up and marketing fruit, than we were one year ago 

 to-night. 



Our trade-mark has made its way into many markets, and orders have been 

 received for certain amounts of trade-mark fruit each day, with the price 

 affixed, a thing not common among commission men. I am happy to state 

 that no member has used that mark on any but No. 1 fruit. By the State 

 Society being held here, by our superior fruits sent to the fairs and to the 

 markets, by taking the county premiums two years in succession, by our Pom- 

 ological reports, our town is now known from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Let 

 us continue to work together, and develop the natural resources of our land, 

 and we need not fear for the results. 



Let me here return my sincere thanks to those who assisted in making the 

 State Society held here a success, and especially the ladies who entertained the 

 officers and visitors, and made them so welcome at their homes, thereby 

 securing their lasting regards and friendships. 



I cannot close without referring to the fact that so many among us are mak- 

 ing their homes beautiful by planting ornamental trees and flowers. When 

 each home in this fruit-growing land shall thus be made beautiful, with our 

 fertile soil and temperate climate, we ought to be content. 



Long may the members of this Society meet together as friends and mutual 

 helpers, receiving and dispensing good ; and may our efforts in promoting this 

 most beautiful of all arts, this health-preserving and life-prolonging industry 

 be crowned with continual success until every fireside shall be gladdened with 

 the golden fruits of summer and autumn, until thanksgiving and the perfume 

 of the orchard shall ascend together like incense from the altar of every family 

 in our broad land. 



OFFICERS FOR 18T3, OF THE SOUTH HAVEN POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Norman Phillips, President; C. H. Wigglesworth, Vice President ; Chas. T. 

 Bryant, Recording Secretary; H. E. Bidwell, Corresponding and Financial 

 Secretary; Chas. J. Monroe, Treasurer ; D. B. Williams, Librarian. 



EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 



B. H. Dyckman, Geo. L. Seaver, D. 0. Loveday. 



The objects of the South Haven Pomological Society are to develop facta 

 and promulgate information as to the best varieties of fruit, and the best 

 methods of cultivation. 



