JUNE MEETING, 1877. 77 



From B. llathawiiy, the poet horticulturisfc of Little Prairie Eondc, June 18 r 

 "I had expected to l)ring samples of tlie Michigan strawberry to South Haven, 

 whicli I continue to cultivate, and with which I am still abundantly satisfied, as 

 it and the Wilson arc tlic most profitable kinds on my grounds. I would also 

 have brought another seedling of mine that is nearly if not quite equal to the 

 Michigan in productiveness, and has, besides, some features peculiarly its own. 

 It is, also, a scarlet berry, of good llavor, long necked, and quite firm for a 

 scarlet variety. It is one that I shall propagate further, and is worthy of trial 

 otherwheres. It nniy bo of interest to some if I say that the seedling cherry 

 that originated witli me ten or fifteen years ago, and partially dissemi- 

 nated, has this year borne a very fair crop. I tliink I sent Mr. Lyon a tree of 

 it, also one to Mr. Downing. The latter wrote rnc last year about it, saying it was 

 earlier and finer than tlie Eichmond, and inquired about its bearing qualities. 

 Its first promise was to bear properly, but for several years it has disappointed 

 nie. Two years, however, it has borne as well as the Early Eichmond of same 

 age, which is all that can reasonably be asked. Heretofore the curculios have 

 spoiled the fruit of this cherry badly, but this year it has mostly escaped this 

 insect. I will also mention, as a matter of interest to experimenters, that I have 

 about one hundred and fifty seedling raspberry plants, among which are some 

 of remarkable vigor and promise. I am in hopes to get a thornless that has 

 the vigor of the Mammoth Cluster, or a black cap tliat has the cane habit of 

 the Philadelphia. The apple crop of this region is light ; mine less than half a 

 crop, and the varieties in fruit not the profitable kinds, except a few." 



From Wm. Eowe, of G-rand Eapids, June 18: 



''Fruit in this section is about as follows : Apples, very scarce ; same of pears 

 and peaches ; cherries plenty and good ; strawberries never better, and prices 

 low; prospects for raspberries very good. The interest in floriculture is on the 

 increase. Notwithstanding the hard times there were more flowering plants sold 

 in Grand Eapids this spring than at any one jirevious season, and also in our 

 country villages; this is one of the landmarks of refinement and progress." 



ADDRESS OF WELCOME. 



The address of welcome to the society Avas given by Mr. C. J. Monroe, and 

 responded to by H. Dale Adams, both of which are given entire, as follov.'s : 



By request of the President of our village it is my pleasant duty to welcome 

 you to our community. Wliile lack of time and talent will prevent my saying 

 any very fine things to you in a literary way, I tiiink I can assure you that our 

 people will show substantial evidence of their appreciation of your coming 

 among us. 



We cannot invite you to any very elegant homes, with their rich surround- 

 ings of furniture and carriage equipage, but Avill try to give you some of that 

 hospitality mentioned by Emerson, wherein he says : "I pray you, excel- 

 lent wife, not to cumber yourself or me to get a ricli dinner for this man, or 

 woman who has alighted at our gate, nor a bed chamber made ready at too 

 great cost. These things, if they are curious in, they can get for a dollar at 

 any village. But let this stranger see, if he will, in your beliavior, your heart, 

 and earnestness, your thought and will, get what he cannot buy at any price, 

 in any village or city and wliicli he may well travel fifty miles, and dine sparely, 



