WINTER MEETING, 1877. 57 



whom lie had Hvod for years, universally loved and respected. At one time 

 he was a most useful member of the executive committee of the State A^rri- 

 cultural Society. 



"I met him lirst at our dedication mectinf;^ at South Ilavcii, when his marked 

 intelligence, modesty, and kindness of heart, made a deep impression upon all 

 Avho came in contact with him. We all saw at once that he was a master 

 among fruits. His death made a profound impression where he was known, 



"This society mourns his loss with his numerous friends in the southwestern 

 section of the State, 



"I feel as if some reference should be made to the death of the late treasurer 

 of tliis society, Hon, Henry Seymour. His last days were clouded with the 

 deep gloom of pain and suffering, but through it all he was patient, calm, and 

 uncomplaining. I notice that the death of but few men in the Grand river 

 valley has called out through the press more touching and affectionate tributes 

 of respect and sympathy. He came to Grand Rapids in 1842, and since that 

 day, for 35 years, he has held a place in public esteem granted to but few. He 

 represented the people of his county in both Senate and House. He loved 

 rural life and the things of the country, and this taste always brought him 

 prominently in connection with the horticultural and agricultural affairs of his 

 •county. He was always active at the county fairs, continuously did service iii 

 some capacity. Brought in frequent contact with him while he was treas- 

 urer, I always found him courteous, kind, correct in his accounts, and I 

 believe that he was a man of unvarying integrity. He was the kindest of par- 

 ents, and his wife and children clung to him with the tenderest affection. 

 Tiiough dead he livetli in many hearts. 



a 



Respectfully submitted. 



J. P. Thompson." 



W. J. BEAL, 



C. N. MEREIMAN, 



N. CHILSOX, 



Committee. 



KEEPING GRAPES. 



The following letter was read from E. F. Guild of Saginaw, on his method 

 -of preserving grapes for a long season : 



To the Preddent of the State Pomolorjical Society : 



The grapes should be picked on a dry day when there is no moisture on the 

 fruit, and placed in stone jars in layers, care being taken not to break the skin 

 or in any way bruise or injure any of the berries. Alternate the layers between 

 with soft paper or any other material that will absorb the moisture and keep 

 the fruit dry. Dig a trench in any dry ground where the water does not stand 

 in the soil, about six or eight inches deeper than the crock, put the crocks in a 

 trencli and cover with a board or stone, cover loosely, taking care not to cover too 

 tight. Cover with earth and let them remain until the ground begins to freeze. 

 When the ground has frozen to the depth of four or five inches, some mulch, 

 coarse manure or any material should be put on the ground to prevent the frost 

 irom penetrating any deeper, the main object being to keep the fruit at as 

 even a temperature as possible. They can be taken up at auy time before the 

 frost goes out of the ground. 



8 



