5J80 STATE POMOLOGTCAL SOCIETY. 



permaneut, safe depository \ve should imuiediateiy acquire valuable additions by 

 donations and exchange. 



UEPORT OF 1S7G. 



It has been the custom for years to issue the Report of the State Board of 

 Agriculture, and tlie report of our own transactions-, so as to be ready for dis- 

 tribution at the State and local fairs tlic year following. In January last, upon 

 consulting the law in the matter, and the members of our Executive Committee, 

 it was determined to issue in future the volumes of the society as promptly as 

 possible after the close of the year. This would necessitate making a small 

 volume for 1S76, inasmuch as the number preceding it contained the proceed- 

 ings of the society up to the State Fair of 1876, and again it would necessitate 

 the editing of two volumes in one year. 



As soon, however, as the resolution was determined, I proceeded as rapidly 

 with the volume as possible, first deciding upon a plan of the volume which 

 would answer as a model for future volumes. This plan was submitted to men 

 who were accustomed to the use of reports, and as revised was adopted as you 

 see in the printed volume before you. The reason for settling upon some 

 permanent arrangement is a})})arent to any one in the habit of searching these 

 volumes for facts — it expedites matters to know about where in any volume a 

 certain class of matter is to be found. 



The volume was somewhat delayed on account of getting as complete a re- 

 port of Michigan at the Centennial as possible, which was kindly compiled and 

 placed at our disposal by Henry S. Clubb. 



The Secretary's Portfolio which first found a place in the volume for 1875, 

 was continued in the volume for 1870, with slightly enlarged scope, including 

 the current thought upon horticultural topics for the year, as gleaned from 

 letters, conversations, and newspaper articles. 



THE 3IEETIXG AT PONTIAC. 



At the annual meeting in Coldwater, an invitation was transmitted to the 

 society from the (3akland County Agricultural Society to meet with that asso- 

 ciation in Pontiac, for the quarterly session in February. The invitation was 

 accepted, and I found in Mr. C. K. Carpenter, of Orion, our Vice President 

 for Oakland, a valuable worker in arousing interest and planning for an enthu- 

 siastic meeting. 



Our reception at Pontiac was warm and encouraging. The show of fruit 

 excelled anytliing of the kind in the history of the society at its winter meet- 

 ings, and the programme of exercises contained many valuable essays and 

 addresses. 



Great credit is due Mr. Kimball of Pontiac, for the etlicient and appropriate 

 arrangements for the meeting, and to the people of Pontiac, we owe a debt 

 of gratitude for aiding us in putting the work of our society before the people 

 of Oakland county. 



We have many warm friends in that county, and I trust ere long we can 

 again meet with them and receive as well as impart information upon topics 

 connected with our work. 



THE JUNE MEETING. 



While engaged in getting out the volume of '76, preparations were also nec- 

 essary to be made for the summer meeting to be held in June, at South Haven, 

 — in acceptance of an invitation from the South Haven Pomological Society. 



