GENERAL HISTORY. 73 



The use of wiuduiills was commended, and the use of water from streams 

 above the level was mentioned as a most valuable circumstance. Watering 

 upon the surface was generally objected to, and tli<' removal of the surface earth 

 before applying water was commended. The use of beach sand as a mulch 

 was suggested. 



The committee on fruit packages reported, recommending the peach bas- 

 kets and berry crates manufactured by the South Haven factory. 



The committee on fruit commended seven varieties of apples, the growth 

 of 1876, as supplementary to a previous report. 



The committee on plants and flowers were very much gratified by the un- 

 usual display of flowers, mentioning twenty-five varieties of roses and four 

 line bouquets from the Lake Shore nurseries, a very fine fuchsia from C. J. 

 Monroe, a fine abutilon from Mrs. J. J. Atherby, besides bouquets from D. C. 

 Loveday, John Williams and H. J. Linderman, also five geraniums from 

 Mrs. Cook. 



The usual complimentary resolutions were adopted and the society adjourned 

 sine die. 



At a session of the executive board a letter was read from Professor E. F. 

 Kedzie stating his difficulties in attempting to solve the problem of the influ- 

 ence of forests upon the climate of the State unless by the aid of meteoro- 

 logical observations extending over a series of years, and suggesting that it 

 may be found practicable for the State Pomological Society to secure the 

 taking. of such observations at least in the fruit growing regions. 



The whole matter was placed in the hands of the president, the secretary, 

 E. H. Keynolds and George Parmelee. 



At a session of the executive board held at Detroit, July 12th, 1877, the 

 Calvert Lithographing Company submitted a design for a diploma. After 

 some time spent in examining it, the decision of the matter was deferred till 

 the next session of the board. 



The union fair of the State Agricultural and Horticultural Societies occurred 

 at Jackson, on September 17th to 21st, 1877. 



The season had been an unfavorable one for the fruit crop, and great diffi- 

 -culty was anticipated in making a creditable exhibit. Great was the surprise, 

 therefore, when the entries ran up to nearly one thousand five hundred — 

 about five hundred more than at auy previous fair, beside which over one hun- 

 dred came too late to be accepted. 



Although, owing to the scarcity of apples, the average of quality was 

 hardly equal to that of more plentiful years, the abundance and general 

 character of the exhibit has rarely been excelled. 



The floral display was especially creditable. Included in this display was 

 a memorial design from the greenhouses of the late John Suttle, of Grand 

 Eapids, emblematic of faith, hope and charity, the work of Mr. Turner, a 

 fitting tribute to the memory of one of the earliest members of the society. 



His death occurred on September 13th, 1877. It was appropriately recog- 

 nized by the executive board in a series of resolutions. 



The annual meeting of the State Pomological Society occurred at Grand 

 Eapids, on December 4th to 6th, 1877, upon the invitation of the Grand 

 Eiver Valley Horticultural Society. 



A letter from B. Hathawaj, Little Prairie Eonde, reports that he believes 

 that judicious thinning will develop a tendency to fruit every season. The 

 isame end may, in a measure, be attained by judicious pruning. Either from 



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