244 GENERAL HISTORY. 



The disease of the grape known as " rot " has for several years been 

 becoming increasingly troublesome in this county, with most varieties of 

 grapes, Ives, Delaware, and perhaps others being comparatively exempt, 

 while the Rogers Hybrids, Catawba and Concord yield more readily to the 

 attack. Several remedies, or rather preventives, are found more or less 

 effective, among which are bagging, sulphur, sheltering from rain and dew, 

 and picking and destroying the diseased fruit; but no economical, conven- 

 ient and effective remedy has yet been devised. 



The importance of an effective combination as a restraint upon careless- 

 ness and fraud in the packing, handling, transportation and marketing of 

 fruits had long been felt, and as the outgrowth of such feeling meetings of 

 those interested were held, resulting in the perfecting of an organization, at 

 Benton Harbor, on May loth, 188G, by the adoption and signing of the fol- 

 lowing constitution and by-laws: — 



Article 1. 



' The name of this association shall be Michigan Fruit Exchange. 



Article 2. 



Its object shall be the advancement of the interest of its members ^by encouraging 

 and promoting a better system of packing and grading fruit, whereby the quality shall 

 be guaranteed to the purchaser. 



Its headfjuarters shall be at Benton Harbor, Michigan. 



Article 3. 



The meetings, after the first election of officers, shall be held annually on the second 

 Monday in March, and special meetings may be convened at any time on the call of the 

 president — the hour and place to be named by the executive board. 



Article 4. 



There shall be elected annually by ballot, by members of the Exchange, one presi- 

 dent, three vice-presidents, one secretary, one treasurer and five trustees to manage 

 the affairs of the same, who shall hold their term of office for one year, or until their 

 successors are duly elected. 



Article 5. 



The constitution may be altered or amended at any regular annual meeting, by a vote 

 of two-thirds of the members present, or at anj- special meeting, provided tliat 

 at least ten days' previous public notice shaU have been given: and ten members shall 

 constitute a quorum. 



BY-LAWS. 



Article 1— Secretary and Treasurer. 



The office of Secretary and Treasurer may be held by one person as the members may 

 determine by ballot. The Treasurer shall pay no moneys except on orders signed by 

 President and Secretary. 



