THE DECEMBER MEETING. 327 



Each year brings its disclosures, a prophetic herahlry of the yet unknown. So 

 when we take our easy chair and fold our hands complacently to rest we are 

 drifting into the background and obscurity of time. The " vigilant, the active^ 

 the brave," and therefore successful man will be found ever in the advance. 



It is our earnest desire that there may be found enough such men (which 

 includes women) to sustain our State Pomological Society through many years 

 of still increasing usefulness. 



We shall ever bear with us very many pleasant remembrances, and a sincere 

 appreciation of the uniform courtesy and kindness that has prevailed in all our 

 dssociations. 



THE BEST AND HAKDIEST GRAPES. 



The discussion on this subject was opened by N. Chilson, of Battle Creek, 

 who gave his experience of twenty years with many varieties. His acquaint- 

 ance with all the known sorts convinced him that the best grapes for Michi- 

 gan were, first and foremost as a profitable grape, the Delaware, and next in 

 order the Concord, Diana, Hartford Prolific, Rogers' Hybrid, and a new grape 

 originated in Attica, Kew York, and there styled the Eureka. He covered his 

 vines with earth in winter, being satisfied that we had no grapes hardy enough 

 to stand the climate, and pruned on the "renewal" plan. 



Mr. Thompson stated that Mr. Bradfield, of Ada, who was not present, 

 recommended the covering of the vines with earth in winter, and had laid 

 down 4,000 in his vineyard at an expense of twenty dollars. 



T. T. Lyon believed the soil had much to do with the hardiness of the grape. 



J. M. Sterling, of Monroe, declared that not much could be ascertained from 

 his section in regard to the best grape, as but few varieties were grown. He 

 gave a detailed account of the manner in which the vines were grown and 

 cultivated about Monroe. They began pruning as soon as frosts came and 

 continued the process into the month of April, without any difference in 

 results. 



J. M. Stearns regarded the award of $100 to the Concord, as being the best 

 grape, was in all respects the wisest ever made. He advocated pruning on the 

 renewal system. 



Mr. Merriman believed that neither the renewal nor any other arbitrary sys- 

 tem of pruning would do everywhere, but that the culture should conform to 

 the locality. 



STRAWBERRIES. 



At the suggestion of a gentleman from Ohio the president permitted the 

 discourse to change to the strawberry, and Chas. Merritt, of Battle Creek, took 

 the floor and explained his method of cultivation, which was the usual method, 

 including mulching and the close trimming of runners. 



William N. Rowe, of Walker, recommended the diligent use of the cultivator 

 between the rows. 



J. N. Stearns, of Kalamazoo, adopted close planting and mulching in the 

 winter and close cultivating in the spring, replacing the mulch, preferring for 

 that purpose, marsh hay. 



Prof. C. L. Whitney wished that the Ohio visitor could see the strawberry 

 fields in Ottawa county, illustrating their extent by an anecdote of Thomas 

 Wilde, of Berlin, the most extensive grower of the State. A certain man from 

 Grand Rapids thought to buy Mr. Wilde's entire crop one season, and advanced 



