GENERAL HISTORY. 77 



ian line, and on the south by an indefinite line running through the coun- 

 ties of Manistee, Wexford and Missaukee." He takes issue pointedly with 

 the conclusions of Dr. Rominger, in the third volume of the Geological Sur- 

 vey of Michigan, as to the agricultural and horticultural capacities of 

 this region, entering into a somewhat extended consideration of the geo- 

 logical origin of its soils, together with its topography and its climate. 



This was followed by a paper by the secretary, entitled ''How Shall we 

 Experiment," treating the subject somewhat exhaustively. 



The committee on plants and flowers reported fine exhibits from the estab- 

 lishment of the late John Sattle, from J. Sharp & Son and from William 

 Eowe. 



Two hundred and fifty plates of apples, several plates of pears and grapes, 

 including lona, Kalamazoo and Owosso, a sample of cranberries and several 

 cans of peaches, plums and vegetables. An Angouleme pear, grown by 

 Hon. J. B. Johnson, of Nevada City, weighing two pounds and five ounces, 

 was shown by E. Buell, of Kalamazoo. 



The Owosso grape shown by C. F. Goodhue, of Owosso, is thus described 

 by him: "The Owosso is a chance seedling. We have the Salem growing 

 side by side with the Owosso. We find the berry very much like it, but nut 

 like it in any other respect. The Salem is a few days earlier than the Owosso, 

 the vine is quite tender, while that of the Owosso is very hardy, more so 

 than the Concord, and a bountiful bearer. The Salem is liable to mildew. 

 We have never known the Owosso to mildew. 



S. W. Fowler, of Manistee, gave an address on that vicinity as a fruit 

 region. The business of fruit culture was comparatively new and orchards 

 have in some cases failed from neglect, while uthers properly cared for have 

 succeeded. Plums succeed perfectly, and the same is true of strawberries. 



H. Dale Adams followed with a short paper on "My Flower Garden," in 

 which also he gave some attention to the growing of vegetables. 



Judge Ramsdell followed with a series of appropriate resolutions, after the 

 adoption of which the society adjourned to meet at Allegan in February, at 

 the call of the proper officers. ■» ^ 



The report of R. F. Kedzie, meteorologist for the society, states that the 

 temperature of the year was slightly above the average. The lowest tem- 

 peratures at the Agricultural College were — 9° in January and — 14° in March. 



The average rainfall at the college for thirteen years is 30.47 inches. The 

 average of 1877 is 35.47 inches, or five inches above the average. 



At a meeting of the executive board held at Jackson on January 3d, 1878, 

 it was determined that not less than five specimens should thereafter consti- 

 tute a plate of fruit at the society's exhibitions. 



At the session of the board held on the following day the finance com- 

 mittee recommended that the secretary's salary be fixed at 1600 per annum, 

 which was adopted. 



The treasurer was instructed to invest such life membership moneys as 

 should come into his hands, in government bonds, until he shall be able to 

 secure better rates of interest on ample real estate security. 



The holders of old diplomas and life memberships were authorized to 

 exchange them for the new ones, about to be issued, upon the payment of 

 fifty cents to cover expense of printing, etc. 



N. Chilson was deputed to effect a settlement with H. Dale Adams, former 

 treasurer of the society, to receipt for the funds due from him, and to trans- 

 fer the same to the present treasurer, S. M. Pearsall. 



