GENERAL HISTORY. 115 



«dge, in order that the society may l)e enabled to conform its own practice to the 

 same. 



Resolved, That measures be taken to give to the rules so adopted a wide publicity, 

 accompanying the same with the suggestion to all societies and individuals in charge 

 of exhibitions of fruits, that thej^ be embodied in the premium lists and in the rules 

 governing their exhibition and awards. 



Resolved, That in pursuance of such purpose it be made the duty of the president of 

 this society, at the opening of each biennial session, to appoint a committee on nomen- 

 clature, whose duty it shall be to supervise the nomenclature of fruits placed upon its 

 tables for exhibition and to correct the same whenever needful. 



The preamble and resolutions were referred to the committee on native 

 fruits, with instructions to report as soon as practicable. 



The committee on due consideration reported favorably, whereupon the 

 resolutions were adopted by the society, and Mr. Barry, who presided in the 

 absence of the president, announced the following persons as the committee 

 contemplated by the first resolution, viz: T. T. Lyon, of Michigan; John 

 A. Warder, of Ohio; John J. Thomas, of New York; C. M. Hovey, of 

 Massachusetts, and P. J. Berckmans, of Georgia. 



The effort of the chairman to secure a session of this committee prior to 

 the society's adjournment proved futile, and the chairman was compelled to 

 prepare a draft of the contemplated rules, a copy of which was sent to each 

 member of the committee with a request for modifications or suggestions. 

 On the return of these a second draft was made and was sent to the several 

 members of the committee, and also to Vice-President Barry and to Presi- 

 dent "Wilder for approval. This having received a unanimous concurrence, 

 was the document reported at the subsequent meeting of the society at Phila- 

 delphia. 



The session closed with a grand banquet given by the Massachusetts Horti- 

 cultural Society in Music Hall. The only notable circumstance connected 

 with this banquet which specially concerns Michigan was the response of 

 Hon. W. K. Gibson for this State, substantially as follows : 



Me. President— I api^reciate the honor of being called on to respond to a sentiment 

 so complimentary to the State to which I belong. 



At its last session the Legislature of the State of Michigan, recognizing the importance 

 of this meeting, directed the Governor to appoint commissioners to represent here the 

 horticultural and fruit growing interests of the State and make an exhibition of its 

 fruits. The display which you have deemed worthy of special notice is inferior in 

 appearance and quality to what we are usually able to make in more favorable seasons. 



Mr. President, we do not feel as though we were strangers here. Among its early 

 pioneers Michigan numbered many from New England, and there has entered into our 

 growth as a State much of the sturdiness and integrity of character and somewhat of 

 the culture, characteristic of New England life. 



The motto of our State is Si Quceris Petiinsulam Amoenam Circumspice ; and, sir, if 

 you seek for a beautiful peninsula, look upon her as she lies almost surrounded by the 

 waters of the northern lakes. Every variety of soil, every diversity of climate are 

 hers. In the southern portion are patches of prau'ie, with hills and valleys, and rivers 

 and lakes, while at the north the waters of Lake Superior break against a coast as 

 rocky and wild as that of New England. Of the fertility of her soil and its adaptation 

 to the raising of all kinds of fruit, you have evidence before you to-day. Within her 



