112 GENERAL HISTORY. 



the meeting of the American Pomological Society to occur at Boston early in 

 September next, and to the fact that commissioners were soon to be appointed 

 by the Governor to prepare an exhibit, for that occasion, of the horticultural 

 products of Michigan. He concluded by urging that all interested lend a 

 helping hand to render such exhibit as full and perfect as possible. 



** Steps toward the Ornamentation of School Grounds" was the subject of a 

 brief address by W. W. Tracy, who spoke fully of the offer of seeds for such 

 purpose by D. M. Ferry & Co., of Detroit. 



Mrs. R. C. Tate next read a paper on the '' External Embellishment of Rural 

 Homes and its Refining Influences," bringing out prominently the importance 

 of interesting the children of the family in such mfitters. 



An interesting discussion of the two kindred subjects followed, indicating 

 a unanimous feeling in sympathy with the encouragement of such improve- 

 ments. 



"Vegetables for Canning Purposes " was the next topic, which was introduced 

 by Mr. Nowlen, with a short account of the growth of the canning business 

 at Benton Harbor, who stated that at that time about two hundred acres of 

 tomatoes were grown for factory use, which, perhaps, yielded five thousand 

 pounds per acre. 



Modes of management and pecuniary results were discussed. 



Professor Tracy remarked, "The secret in the growth of all plants that we 

 have imjx)rted from a more tropical climate is to maintain a continuous growth 

 from the start. This is true of all cucurbitaceous plants, like cucumbers, 

 melons, squashes, etc., and the same is true with the tomato." 



At the close of the discussion, S. H. Comings made an appeal for the bene- 

 fit of the Berrien County Horticultural Society. 



At a meeting of the executive board held at Benton Harbor during the 

 summer meeting of the society, on June 9th, 1881, S. L. Fuller and G. W. 

 Stanton, life members of the society, were appointed to act, jointly with the 

 treasurer, in effecting a satisfactory investment of the life membership fund. 



At the request of the Governor, T. T. Lyon, W. W. Tracy, N. Chilson, 

 Judge J. G. Ramsdell, Evart H. Scott, W. K. Gibson, H. Dale Adams, E. F. 

 Guild, W. J. Beal and S. L. Fuller were nominated as suitable persons to 

 receive appointments as commissioners to represent the horticultural interests 

 of the State at the approaching meeting at Boston. 



The committee on fruits reported six plates of apples in fine condition by 

 W. K. Emmons, of Kent county, also a small but superior display of straw- 

 berries. 



The committee on plants and flowers very highly complimented the display 

 in that department. 



The committee on resolutions speak warmly of the manner in which the 

 convenience and needs of the meetings have been met and provided for. 



The report was adopted by a rising vote. 



On motion of Professor Tracy : 



Resolved, That a committee be appointed, of which the secretary shall be chairman, 

 to draft some suggestions of^he best uieans to secure tlie ornamentation of school yards, 

 and to prepare a list of shrubs, herbaceous plants and annuals for this purpose, with 

 directions for their management, and, in some way, to get such report before the people. 



Whereupon the society adjourned. 



Pursuant to the enactment of the State legislature, and the nominations 



