GENERAL HISTORY. 33 



The society accepted the invitation of the Berrien County Horticultural 

 Society to hold its June meeting at Benton Harbor. 



The article of the society's constitution establishing the secretary's oflBce 

 at Grand Rapids was stricken out. 



At the society's Benton Harbor meeting on June 12th, the attendance 

 was large. The session was opened with a lengthy address by President 

 Thompson, followed by reports of the condition of fruit crops generally. 



The culture of figs at the north was discussed for a few minutes by H. E. 

 Bidwell of Soutli Haven, and also by William M. Kobinson. 



Mr. Thresher gave an address on the history of Benton Harbor, followed 

 by an essay by Mr. Nowlen on " Marketing Fruits." 



A paper was read by Charles E. Saule, of Spring Lake, on **The Best 

 Peach," which, in the judgment of the essayist, was the Barnard, on account 

 of its productiveness. 



At the close of the discussion a vote was taken as to the preference of those 

 present between Early Crawford and Barnard ; result, twenty-nine votes for 

 the former and twenty for the latter. 



The Snyder blackberry, various forms of fruit packages, and also the 

 ever interesting subject of yellows, came up for short discussions; after which, 

 a lengthy report of the fruits on exhibition was made. Among strawberries 

 the Wilson was the leading variety. 



Apples, the growth of 187 L, were shown by A. D. Broom, J. Ells, and 

 N. P. Husted. 



Cherries, other fruits, green and still upon the branch, and also canned 

 fruits, were shown in abundance. 



Reports were made as to the prices of fruit lands. At Fruitport $50 to 

 $100 per acre. At South Haven about the same price. At Benton Harbor, 

 improved lands carrying bearing orchards, $1,000 per acre. 



An essay, entitled "The History of the Peach at St. Joseph," was read by 

 Mr. Chamberlain of the St. Joseph Herald. At ks close Mr. Bronson 

 stated that the first cultivated (budded?) fruit was grown in his garden. He 

 cut the tree down and counted thirty-seven circles of successive growth, 

 making the tree thirty-seven years old. 



C. L. Whitney, of Muskegon, then reported, at considerable length, on 

 behalf of the plant and flower committee. In the course of the report he 

 remarks: "Who ever knew a bad man or an evil woman to be a hearty, 

 true lover of the real beauties of earth? If the undevout astronomer is mad, 

 what shall we say of vile or criminal floral admirers ? They are past account- 

 ability." 



" Plant flowers, train vines, cultivate the beautiful in art or nature. 

 Study the volume of nature, and prepare yourselves to become architects of 

 the noble and beautiful in character, and safe guides in the ordering of the 

 homes of the children for whose instruction you are responsible." 



After enumerating the various individual exhibits, he adds: " We have not 

 said which is best, for we cannot. If we could we dare not." 



The report is fancifully and felicitously closed with the quotation: 



Know ye the land of the cedar and vine, 

 Where the flowers ever blossom, the beams ever shine, 

 Where the light wings of zephyrs oppressed with perfume, 

 Wax faint in the gardens and groves in their bloom, 



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