GENERAL HISTORY. 19 



The meeting also appointed a standing committee on fruits, consisting of 

 H. Gr. Wells, Kalamazoo; T. T. Lyon, Plymouth; Daniel Cook, Jackson; 

 W. Davis, Detroit; Prince Bennett, Ypsilanti; William Adair, Detroit, and 

 R. F. Johnstone, Detroit. 



The constitution fixed the second Thursday in December as the date of 

 the annual meetings; but as the time approached, in compliance with 

 requests from various sources, the meeting was deferred till January 7, 

 1858, at which date the Society assembled at Kalamazoo. This meeting was 

 a large and interesting one, and in its report of the proceedings the Kalama- 

 zoo Telegraph speaks of the display of fruit as follows: 



"The display of fruit was large and most beautiful, one of the finest ever 

 made in the State. Indeed, we are assured that for excellence, beauty and 

 variety this collection surpassed the exhibit of the New York State Horti- 

 cultural Society, made at Rochester last winter, said to have been one of the 

 best ever seen in that State. Over one hundred different varieties of winter 

 apples raised in this State were here exhibited, arranged tastefully on plates 

 spread upon a double row of tables, showing all varieties of size, flavor and 

 color, from the Monstrous Pippin down to the rusty Pomnie Gris, or the 

 sprightly blushing Lady apple. The Society has much reason to feel pride 

 in this, its first annual meeting, at the interest manifested, and that it has 

 secured the aid and support of the very best men in the State for the pur- 

 poses of its organization." 



At this meeting H. Gr. Wells, of Kalamazoo, was re-elected President ; T. 

 T. Lyon, of Plymouth, was chosen Secretary ; and Stephen S. Cobb, of Kal- 

 amazoo, Treasurer. Vice-presidents were also elected, and the terms of ser- 

 vice of the several directors were determined as provided in the constitution. 

 The standing committee on fruits for the ensuing year were as follows: A. 

 €. Hubbard, Detroit ; T. T. Lyon, Plymouth ; H. P. Penniman, Battle 

 Creek ; Daniel Cook, Jackson ; William Adair, Detroit ; J. C. Holmes, Lan- 

 sing; B. Hathaway, Little Prairie Ronde. 



A list of apples for general cultivation was also recommended. 



B. Hathaway presented a seedling apple for the consideration of the stand- 

 ing fruit committee, which was recommended for trial, and for which he pro- 

 posed the name. Paw Paw, from the place of origin. It was noticed and 

 described in the Michigan Farmer and elsewhere under this name, and it is 

 so described in Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America. The com- 

 mittee were not informed that it had been known locally as Ball, Rubicon, 

 Western Baldwin, and possibly by other synonyms. The committee's 

 description appears in Michigan Farmer for 1858, at page 49. 



On June 30 and July 1, 1858, the Society held an exhibition at 

 Detroit. Contributions were freely made from florists, market gardeners and 

 small fruit growers, as well as from the private establishments of citizens. 

 A large and beautiful collection of roses, including a number of recent and 

 still rare varieties, was received during the second day, from George Taylor, 

 of Kalamazoo. The exhibition was, in some respects, a very fine one. 



It had been expected that a room in Firemen's Hall, intended for library 

 purposes, would be in readiness for the occasion ; failing in this, a newly 

 fitted, unoccupied store on Woodward avenue was secured. President Wells 

 was not in attendance and the entire responsibility devolved upon the Secre- 

 tary. Several circumstances conspired to prevent the adequate advertise- 

 ment of the exhibition, and doubtless owing in part to this cause the attend- 

 ance was light. 



