158 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



York and many others. Tn 18S0, a delegation from onr Society visited 

 and made a large exhildt of frnits at the meeting of the American Ponio- 

 logical Society in Boston which helped to call attention to the growing 

 im])()rtance of the horticnUnral products of Michigan. 



Efforts were n)ade at a nnndter of annnal meetings to change the name 

 of the original society to the Michigan State riorticnltnral Society, but 

 this Avas not accomplished until 1880. 



We miss from the i)rogram this evening one of the pioneers who had 

 much to do Avith making a success of our early exhil)its at the fairs. I 

 refer to J. N. Stearns, of your city who is bereaved today in the loss of 

 his only brother. 



Time fails me to mention even the names of the scores of those who 

 were among the beginners. Names count for but little anyway for 

 they are soon forgotten. But the heritage left us in better orchards and 

 more beautiful homes and the beautiful spirit of brotherhood among our 

 younger members who have taken the places of the pioneers, is a con- 

 stant source of inspiration to the lovers of horticulture in our state. I 

 thank you. 



Mr. Garfield then introduced the members of the Students' Judging 

 Contest of the M. A. C. 



Mr. D. A. Stroh Avas the first to respond, as follows: 



'^Ladies and Gentlemen: I Avas informed tonight that I could take but 

 one minute of your time, much to my relief and I cannot say much 

 more in sixty seconds than that I am very glad and proud to be here 

 tonight and to mention the excellent course Ave are getting at the M. 

 A. C. We believe that the M. A. C. is groAving and Avill continue to 

 groAV. I do no knoAV Avhether our class is any better than those Avho have 

 gone before use, but Ave are doing everything Ave can to make it better 

 and Ave hope to be of much aid and value to the fruit groAvers of this 

 and other states. I thank you." 



Mr. 1). A. Ricker stated:' 



"Ladies- and Gentlemen: I Avant to thank the members of the Michi- 

 gan Horticultural Society for the pleasure they have given us in alloAv- 

 ing us to take part in the program. It surely is a great benefit to the 

 students to be alloAved to meet Avith the great groAvers of this state and 

 I feel sure that all our men Avill profit by attending this meeting. It Avill 

 broaden our ideas and Ave Avill all return to Avork feeling fully repaid. I 

 thank you." 



Mr. F. L. Bloom responded as folloAvs: 



"Ladies and Gentlemen: I am sure that I heartily agree Avith the 

 rest of my classmates in regarding this meeting as an inspiration. We 

 have a fine college at the M. A. C. and it is trying to do a great Avork 

 for your people. We need money. The only Avay is for you to influence 

 the legislature to get it for us. We have Avith us men from all over 

 the country and Ave are all looking at one end and Avorking hard for 

 that end. I trust you Avill do the best you can to help us. I thank you." 



Mr. Paul S. Armstrong said: 



"Ladies and Gentlemen: When I learned this morning that I had to 

 speak here this evening, I must say I did not anticipate the visit Avith 

 much pleasure, but I have enjoyed the proceedings very much since ten 

 o'clock. I have enjoyed immensely the privilege of talking Avith the 



