THE DECEMBER MEETING. 339 



The Secretary hoped that the time was at hand when the public spirited citi- 

 zens of Detroit would open a hall and provide the requisites for a six days' ex- 

 hibition of the products of the orchards, vineyards, nurseries, and conserva- 

 tories — one that should be creditable alike to the indomitable fruit and flower 

 growers of the State, to the State itself, and to its commercial metropolis and 

 chief city. This recommendation was received with applause. 



In regard to flowers, the Secretary showed that it was a business not at all 

 affected by the panic, but that the sales had been as large aud the business as 

 remunerative as if no financial stringency had interrupted other pursuits. 



The report was referred to the Executive Committee. 



An invitation was extended by Mr. Ira Abbey, Superintendent of the Health 

 Institute, to the members of the Societv, to visit that institution the 4th inst, 

 and to dine at 1:30 P. M. 



Judge B. F. Graves spoke at some length in highly commendatory terms of 

 the institution and the denomination of Seventh-day Adventists, by whom the 

 Health Institute is conducted, and earnestly recommended the Society to accept 

 the invitation, which was unanimously done. 



An invitation from the citizens of Marshall to the Society to hold their June 

 meeting in that city was referred to the executive committee. 



The report of the orchard committee was then read by Prof. Beal, when the 

 convention adjourned until 1 P. M. 



AFTERNOON SESSION. 



Prof. Whitney, of Muskegon, called attention to the imperfect return of the 

 fruit products of the State in the census reports, and the Executive Committe 

 were instructed to take steps to induce the government to include more 

 extended fruit statistics in its next census report. 



The special order was announced: 



THE ANNUAL ELECTION OF OFFICERS. 



A communication from the President of the Society, Mr. A. S. Dyckman, 

 was read by the Secretary, announcing his withdrawal from the candidacy for 

 re-election to the Presidency of the Society in consequence of his inability to 

 attend the annual State Fair. His peach harvest came at the same time the 

 State Fair was usually held. 



A communication from the Peninsular Farmers' Club, nominating George 

 Parmelee for President, was read, as was likewise a letter from H. G. Wells, 

 nominating Prof. W. J. Beal for President. Both gentlemen declined. 



The Society then proceeded to the election of oSlcers, which resulted as 

 follows : 



President — A. S. Dyckman, South Haven. 



Secretary — J. P. Thompson, Grand Rapids. 



Treasurer — Henry Seymour, Grand Rapids. 



Executive Committee — J. C. Holmes, Detroit, W. W. Tracy, Old Mission, 

 for one year; Geo. W. Bruckner, Monroe, S. 0. Knapp, Jackson, for two years ; 

 N. Chilson, Battle Creek, A. J. Cook, Lansing, for three years. 



Vice Presidents— Et. Buel, Kalamazoo Co.; W. H. Gregory, Van Buren Co.; 

 Edward Bradfield, Kent Co. ; E. N. Smith, Ionia Co. ; J. A. Robinson, Calhoua 

 Co.; J. G. Ramsdell, Grand Traverse Co. ; John Gilbert, Clinton Co. ; James 

 43 



