504 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



"Fruitgrowing in Mason county," was presented in general by L. W. 

 Rose, who gave some interesting facts and figures which this year's crop 

 will largely increase. Mr. McClatchie followed, speaking of his success 

 in plums. He said colored plums sell best. The profits in plum culture 

 are good. Mr. Hitchcock gave his experience in the growing of rasp- 

 berries. He grew the Brandy wine and Cuthbert for reds and the Gregg 

 for black. Mr. Meisenheimer spoke of peach-growing in the county as 

 profitable — he had made money from the peach. The Alexander was most 

 profitable, some thought the Wager peach the most profitable. Others 

 spoke of the advantages of the locality, many of which were apparent to 

 the observers present. 



Secretary Whitney read an extract from a letter from the Hon. S. S. 

 Bailey of Grand Rapids, as follows : "If I were present at your meeting 

 I would ask this question : How long will it be before some of our western 

 or northern fruitgrowers will produce and introduce a hardy, early, relia- 

 ble strawberry? The Cloud was introduced from the south as being the 

 earliest and best known berry for a long time. At the north it has lost 

 most of its claim for earliness and all its claims for quality and quantity. 

 Will Michel's early share the same fate? Does not a southern fruit lose 

 its habit of earliness after a few years when grown further north? If so, 

 we must look to some northern man to give us something that will stay by 

 us, and are paying too much money for that which comes to naught after a 

 few years' trial. You may induce some one to make the trial. Here is food 

 for thought and incentive to action." 



"Does the plum succeed best upon plum or peach stock?" was a question 

 taken from the box. Many growers thought the plum not best on the 

 peach, but such trees do not sprout so badly. Those on the peach should 

 be set deeply and place the peach stock below the action of frost. 



"Is peach-growing in the future likely to be as profitable as in the past?" 

 Answer — Yes, if proper care be taken of the orchards, for there was a large 

 population to consume the product, and only a limited territory upon 

 which the fruit can be grown. 



After many other questions, at a late hour the meeting adjourned to 

 meet again at 8 o'clock in the morning and complete the labors of the 

 session. 



On Thursday morning nature presented a clean face, having been 

 washed by a welcome and much-needed rain during the night. The first 

 business in order was the reports of the committees. The committee upon 

 fruits and flowers made a long report, giving a long list of the varieties 

 shown either in a ripe or green state. Of course, most of the fruits could 

 be shown only green, as they are growing upon the branches. The War- 

 field No. 2 strawberry was fine, also the Bubach and Wilson. J. D. Rob- 

 inson of Hartford showed some fine samples of the "Late Red" apple. 



The committee upon resolutions reported as follows : 



Resolved, 1 That we most heartily appreciate the cordial invitation received, followed 

 by the cordial welcome we have had at the hande of the Mason County Horticultural 

 society as a body, and the generous hospitality accorded us by the various members, 

 entertaining us at their several homes, for all of which we most truly do thank them. 



Resolved, That we know of a verity that this part of Mason county is truly located 

 in and is an important part of the famous fruit belt of Michigan. Their lines are cast 

 in pleasant places, where sod, protection, elevation, and all the essentials of suc- 

 cessful fruitgrowing are accorded them, and may they long rejoice and be happy 

 therein. 



