THE DECEMBER MEETING. 333 



StHes, J. R. Gregory, A. Little, and J. R. Rencher, of Battle Creek, all have a fine show of 

 apples, and swell the list of varieties to nearly a hundred. 



In Mr. Lyons 'collection we found the largest RedCanadaswe ever saw. Also two apples 

 denominated Shearer Seedlings No. 1 and No 2, described in communications appended to 

 this report. * The committee pronounce them very good and worthy the further consid- 

 eration of the Society. 



A seedling grown in Macomb county, on the farm of C. W. Whitney, and shown here by 

 C. L. Whitney, of Muskegon, is very fine. He describes the tree as a good bearer, and 

 (Bays the apple is highly prized by the family. The committee can readily understand this 

 fact after testing the quality of the fruit. 



In closing we would congratulate the Society upon the interest manifested by its mem- 

 bers, as illustrated in this truly beautiful display of fruit, and as we write with the bounti- 

 ful table of Michigan apples before us, we feel proud of the old State in which we live, 

 and commend in the highest terms the persistence of our brothers in pomology who have 

 produced such perfect specimens of the king of our northern fruits. 



C. CHILSON, 

 W. E. SMITH, 

 W. H. ADAMS, 



D. G. FOX, 



C. N. MERRIMAN. 



Your committee would respectfully submit the following report: N. & C. Chilson, of 

 Battle Creek, exhibit three varieties of grapes. Delaware, Concord, and Catawba. The 

 latter and also the Delaware were in a fine state of preservation. G. W. Dickinson, of 

 Grand Rapids, presents a plate of very fine Isabellas, in excellent condition. Mr. Dickin- 

 son informs the committee that they have been kept in the following manner : Packed in 

 peach baskets by first putting in a layer of the green grape leaves, then a layer of the grapes 

 and then another layer of leaves, and so on till the basket is full. Mr. Parmelee, of Grand 

 Traverse exhibits three varieties of pears, Vicar, etc. J. A. Robinson, of Battle Creek, 

 seven varieties, Lawrence, Winter Nellis, Beurre Diel, etc. The Lawrence, as usual, is far 

 Buperior in quality to all others on exhibition. W. H. Adams, of Benzouia, exhibits some 

 fine specimens of Hale's Early in alcohol. Your committee find on exhibition, also, some 

 fine specimens of dried fruits and vegetables exhibited by J. W. Seymour, of Battle Creek. 

 Your committee were pleased to learn that Mr. Seymour has no idea of having his appa- 

 ratus patented, but is willing to give the benefits of his experiment to all that feel interested 

 ia that mode of preserving fruits. Mr. Williams, of South Haven, also presented fruits and 

 Tegetables prepared by the well known Willisims Evaporator. The committee were inter- 

 csted in some raisins prepared by this evaporator. We hope to see some valuable experi- 

 ments in this direction in the future. 



J. N. STEARNS. 



J. A. ROBINSON. 



G. W. DICKINSON, 



JARVIS ADAMS. 



Mr. Merrimaii made some pertinent remarks us to the reason why the 

 •* Maiden's Blush" should be changed from a summer to a fall variety; it is 

 recognized as such by the pomological world — and should be restored to the list 

 of fall apples. The expression of the Society was favorable to the change. 



A sharp and prolonged discussion ensued as to the propriety of extending 

 the title of the Society to embrace Horticulture and Floriculture, several 

 members desiring to change the title of the Society to that of " Horticultural." 



Mr. Dietrich, of Grand Kapids, gave notice of an amendment to the consti- 

 tution to that effect. The sense of the meeting was taken as to the retention 

 of the present title of the association, which Avas largely in the affirmative. 

 This action did not preclude the right of the Society in altering the name of 

 the Society at some future meeting. 



* The Sliearer Apple originated in the orchard of Hon. Jonathan Shearer, Plymouth, Wayne county, Mich- 

 igan, now bearing second or third crop. Tree a hardy and vigorous grower, with many thorns. Fruit 

 medium size, roundish, oblate, flattened, varying to ovate, color, yellowish red, fainter on the shaded side, 

 thickly dotted and obscurely striped with dark red, with a plentiful sprinkling of light grey dots large next 

 th« Btem, and smaller and more plentiful as yon approach the calyx which is small and closed, set in a rather 

 wide, shallow, slightly wrinkled basin; stem half an inch long, rather small, inclined to one side ; cavity 

 Moderately deep, of medium width ; skin thick, tough ; flesh rather tender, coarse, modemtely juicy, with 

 Bub acid, pleasant, "good," possibly " very good ;" season, October to January ; seeds few, very plump. 



