322 GENERAL HISTORY. 



■winters in the first half of the jiast decade, but is recuperating again. As- 

 nearly as can be estimated, the present acreage is as follows: — 



J. D. Husted, Lowell 15 acres. 



N. P. Husted, Lowell 12 acres. 



M unson & Knapp, Grand Rapids 30 acres. 



Thibos, Lewis & Co., Cascade 15 acres. 



William Watson, Cascade -.. 5 acres. 



Since 1870 the heights of ground in Kent county, especially in Gaines^ 

 Paris, Grand Rapids, Alpine and Sparta, have been planted with peaches, and 

 the success has been all that could be asked. As yet there has not been an 

 authenticated case of the yellows. 



In 1848 a township agricultural society was organized in the township of 

 Walker, but in 1849 its scope and title were changed and it became the Grand 

 Eiver Valley Agricultural Society. Again in 1851 its scope and title under- 

 went a change, and it became the Kent County Agricultural and Hor- 

 ticultural Society. The horticultural suffix to its title seems to have gone 

 into disuse since about 1854 or '5, its name subsequently, as given in its annual 

 reports, being simply Kent County Agricultural Society. 



The State Pomological Society, from its organization at Grand Rapids in 

 1871, took charge of the horticultural department of the fairs of the county 

 agricultural society, which it conducted very efficiently and successfully. In 

 1873 it took charge of the horticultural exhibit of the district agricultural and 

 mechanical association, which was during the following year consolidated with 

 the State Agricultural Society. 



In 1874 an arrangement was made with the State Agricultural Society 

 which provided that the State Pomological Society should collect the exhibits 

 of fruits, plants, and flowers, prepare the premium lists, conduct the exhibi- 

 tion, draw upon the treasurer of the agricultural society for the premiums 

 awarded, not to exceed $1,000, and that in consideration of the labor and 

 expense involved, the pomological society should receive the farther sum of 

 $1,400. This arrangement, with slight occasional modifications, has been 

 continued from year to year to the present time. 



In 1870 the town of Grattan was awarded a first premium by the Kent 

 county society for the best township exhibit, in competition with the whole 

 State, the collection having been made on behalf of the town by Messrs. 

 Slay ton and Duga. 



Early in the year 1874 the Grand River Valley Horticultural Society was 

 organized at Grand Rajiids. The precise date of its organization is not 

 given, bnt it adopted by-laws to govern its proceedings on March 3d, 1874. 

 It holds its meetings monthly. Its shows of fruits and flowers have been 

 held in connection with the annual fairs of the Kent County Agricultural 

 Society. 



At the August meeting in 1879 William Rowe, W. N. Cook, W. K. Em- 

 mons, and S. M. Pearsall were appointed a committee to collect fruits and 

 make exhibits at the meeting of the American Pomological Society, at R ich- 

 ester, Kew York, on the third week in September; also the same week at the 

 State fair at Detroit ; also at the fair of the West Michigan Agricultural and 

 Industrial Society at Grand Rapids. 



The committee sent fifty-four varieties of apples to Rochester, in charge of 

 Edward Bradfield, of Ada, who also made a fine display of grapes, mostly 



