24 GENERAL HISTORY. 



The first considerable impetus to peach phiuting occurred upon his con- 

 tracting his first considerable peach crop for $1,500, delivered at St. Joseph. 



Very naturally, since the earliest orchard planting occurred, in this region, 

 while the more northerly portions of the lake shore were yet comparatively 

 unknown, save for lumbering purposes, the conclusion was very general that 

 this immediate region constituted the limit northward of the lands adapted 

 to peach culture, and this assumption, amounting as it did with very many to a 

 conviction, was doubtless at the foundation of the extravagant inflation of the 

 price of lands which for a time prevailed here. 



The inference, however, was so natural and obvious that the cause of ex- 

 emption from extremes of cold, as experienced here, must necessarily be more 

 or less potent along the whole eastern shore of the lake, that as early as 18G-4 

 or 18G5. in a paper prepared for the transactions of the American Pomologi- 

 cal Society, T. T. Lyon advanced the opinion that this exemption Avould be 

 found potent at least as far north as Grand Traverse. In fact, very soon after 

 the rise of this interest in Berrien county, and prior to its culmination, ex- 

 periments for the testing of such supposed adaptation were in progress at 

 various points along almost the entire distance. 



The growth of these various local interests, and the opening of a trade 

 from the region in fruit products, soon rendered manifest the importance of 

 concerted action, and the consciousness of such need resulted in the creation 

 of various local organizations, which will be noticed in connection with the 

 several counties. 



Above and beyond this, however, there gradually arose an obvious need of 

 wider and more perfect concert of action, which finally manifested itself in 

 a call for a meeting to consider the propriety of organizing a general Pomo- 

 logical Society. A preliminary meeting for this purpose assembled at Grand 

 Eapids, on February 11th, 1870. The meeting organized by electing S. L. 

 Fuller president, S. S. Bailey and L. S. Scranton vice-presidents, A. T. 

 Linderman secretary, and Henry S. Clubb, S. L. Fuller and L. S. Scranton 

 a commitiee to draft articles of association. 



An adjourned meeting was held on February 26th, at which the report of 

 the committee on articles of association was received, discussed, amended and 

 adopted. 



The organization thus completed assumed the title of State Pomological 

 Society of Michigan. A president, secretary and treasurer were provided for, 

 and these officers were constituted an executive committee. Their term of 

 office was to expire on December 31st. The secretary's office was located at 

 Grand Rapids. The meetings of the society were to occur monthly. 



After the adoption of articles of association the following officers were elec- 

 ted: 



President — H. G. Saunders, of Grand Rapids. 

 Secretary — A. T. Linderman, of Grand Rapids. 

 Treasurer — S. L. Fuller, of Grand Rapids. 



Henry S. Clubb, James Hamilton and Daniel Upton were elected as a 

 corresponding committee. 



The first meeting of the new society occurred on April Gth, at which time 

 a letter was read from George P.irmelee, then of Old Mission, Grand Traverse 

 county, expressing sympathy with the objects of the society. 



Many fine specimens of fruits were also exhibited and discussed, together 

 with various other matters. 



