THE SEPTEMBER PEACH FESTIVAL. 307 



even apple trees — a foot or six inches above bhe ground. Cultivation is easy- 

 while the tree is young, without injury to ttie branches, which will yield readily 

 to the passage of the team, and when large no cultivation is needed, and a 

 plow should never go near the trunk of a large tree. Sod will not form near 

 the stem of a low tree, for grass will not grow in the shade. 



G. W. Toles, of Benton Harbor, oifered appropriate resolutions of thanks to 

 the citizens of South Haven for their hospitable treatment, and for the oppor- 

 tunity afforded of visiting and viewing their fine orchards, and hoping the 

 prosperity would, continue till the fruit region should clasp hands from Grand. 

 Traverse on the north to St. Joseph on the south ; also to the Chicugo & Lake 

 Michigan, Lake Shore, and the Kalamazoo & South Haven Railroads for 

 facilities afforded the Society; also, to the line of steamers between Chicago 

 and South Haven. 



Mr. Thompson moved a vote of thanks to the reporters of the papers repre- 

 sented, with the request that they continue their good offices in spreading 

 before the people of the State the value and importance of the great fruit 

 interests that lie as yet so imperfectly known and to so great a degree unde- 

 veloped. Adopted unanimously. 



Prof. C. T. Whitney, of Muskegon, chairman of the committee on flowers, 

 reported that there are many fine specimen plants upon exhibition without 

 name of variety or owner, which merit the notice of all, and more particularly 

 of the visitors, who have frequently pinched the Rose Geranium and rudely 

 brushed the Abutilon and others. 



They call anew attention to the Ice Plant or its kindred of the mesenihran- 

 tJiemum family, all suited for rock work and baskets. The seed ripens) rapidly 

 and is itself sown. 



Mr. Loveday exhibits the prince of house-climbers, the English Ivies, which 

 grow anywhere in the house, light or dark, if not cold. 



He also shows the Amaranthus Solicifolius, or fountain plant, and some 

 other specimens. 



Mr. Windoes has two fine Begonias. 



Mr. Thompson has a large collection of choice and rare flowers. The very 

 fine Hydrongis, by Mr. D. T. Price, which is worthy of cultivation to a greater 

 extent. 



The collection of Mrs. Albro abounds in bloom. 



The Balsams shown by Mr. A. M. Wilson are choice specimens. 



The Oleander of Miss Bradley, occupying a place upon the table, is a hand- 

 some plant; and whoever showed the basket of Mumilorias need not be 

 ashamed of it. The fine collection of house plants occupying the center are 

 the property of Mrs. Broadwell. 



Passing from these plants to the cut flowers, the best bouquet of which is that 

 brought from Kalamazoo by Mr. Lorenzo Bixby. Two fine bouquets of wild 

 flowers attracted universal attention, but have no name upon them. 



Mrs. Loveday has a large number of bouquets of choice flowers, and Mrs. A. 

 Hale shows one containing the beautiful Japan Lily and the Gladiolus. Many 

 other fine bouquets are noticed without name. 



The committee notice at length the specimens of the Nelumbium Luteum 

 brought by Mr. J. M. Starling from Monroe, which is known as the Sacred 

 Lotus. Ulysses fed his troops with it, and they were unwilling to leave the 

 .country where it grew. Some have called it "the fruit of destiny." The 

 flowers are often twelve inches in diameter. 



