GENERAL HISTORY. 177 



too strong a temptation to those inclined to be light fingered. The experi- 

 ment was tried at this exhibition, with some hesitation, and succeeded very 

 satisfactorily except tliar, at one time, during a lieavy rain storm, such a 

 crowd gathered in the hall that a temporary bar of rope became necessary to 

 keep the crowd off the tables. 



The experiment nf employing an expert from abroad to aid in the award- 

 ing of premiums, by acting as chairman of committees, proved eminently 

 satisfactory. 



At a session of the Executive Board, held at Jac.'kson on September 14th 

 to 16th, 1886, during the continuance of the slate fair at that place, 

 a diploma was awarded to the department of Botany of the Agricultural 

 College, and one also to the department of Horticulture, for the display 

 made by Professors Beal and Bailey at the State fair ; also a letter of 

 acknowledgment to Professor Cook, for an entomological display. 



Professor Bailey was requested to view an exhibit of crab apples from 

 Peter M. Gideon, of Minnesota, and to express to him the appreciation of 

 the society therefor. 



The board ordered the issue of a certificate of life membership in the 

 society to G. B. Brackett, of Iowa, for valuable services, rendered free of 

 charge, in the awarding of premiums at the State fair. 



In introducing his account of the seventeenth annual meeting of the 

 State Horticuliural Society, Secretary Garfield says: " It was seventeen years 

 ago that the Michigan State Horticultural Society was organized in Grand 

 Kapids; and, for two years, its meetings were held monthly, in a small room, 

 the use of which was donated by Mr. S. L. Fuller, who has been promi- 

 nently connected with the society ever since, and whose faith in the good 

 work has never flagged for a single day." 



" In 1872 the society broke away from its moorings, and but once since has 

 it returned for a convention in the Valley City. Immediately after the 

 state society began to occupy its whole field, the fruit growers about Grand 

 Eapids formed an organization of their own, named it the Grand River 

 Valley Horticultural Society ; and it has had a thriving existence to this day. 



It was in acceptance of an invitation from this organization that the State 

 Horticultural Society convened in Royal Arcanum parlors, at Grand Rapids, 

 for its annual convention of 1886." 



The first session of the annual meeting of the society was called to order 

 by the president on Tuesday evening, November 30th, at 7:30 o'clock. 



After the reading of correspondence in the hands of the secretary, "Vice- 

 President W. K. Gibson was called to the chair and the president proceeded 

 to read his annual address, which contained various suggestions and recom- 

 mendations. 



The address, so far as its recommendations were concerned, was referred 

 to a committee consisting of S. L. Fuller, of Grand Rapids; Hon. C. J. 

 Monroe, of South Haven, and Professor L. H. Bailey, of Agricultural Col- 

 lege. 



The annual statement of the librarian was then submitted. It was accepted 

 and ordered placed with the proceedings of the meeting. 



The secretary's annual report was next received. It gives the number 

 of life members of the society as 202, making the amount of that fund 

 $2,020. 



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