526 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Mr. Woodman, upon being asked about new varieties of peach, men- 

 tioned Lewis, Crane's Yellow, (St. John) and Bronson, and he thought 

 they would all do well and take the place of Crawfords and ultimately of 

 all the leading varieties. Mr. Woodman thought Moore's Early was the 

 best early grape, and two weeks earlier than the Worden. Mr. Munson 

 thought it about fifteen minutes earlier and not nearly so productive. Mr. 

 Kieffer called attention to a new black grape which he said was three 

 weeks ahead of the Worden. No one could give the variety a name. Mr. 

 Slayton thought Moore's Early was the best tasting grape he ever put in 

 his mouth. President Garfield and several others differed with him, 

 and the venerable secretary of the West Michigan Farmers' club came to 

 the conclusion that he must have been mistaken. Mr. Munson called 

 attention to the practice of putting Niagara grapes on the market before 

 they were ripe, and thus ruining the market. If they were allowed to 

 ripen on the vines, they would, from their superior flavor, great bearing, 

 and excellent keeping qualities, prove the most profitable grape grown. 



President Garfield asked what varieties of sweet corn were the most 

 desirable for market. Henry Smith named Early Minnesota, Crosby, 

 Perry, and Stowell's Evergreen in the order named. Stowell's Evergreen 

 is about going out of use because it does not yield enough, and the Crosby 

 is fast taking its place. 



The subject of squashes having been brought up, Mr. Richardson, Mr. 

 Smith, and others thought the Pike's Peak squash fully equal to the Hub- 

 bard and much more productive. 



President Garfield called attention to the fact that the past season 

 was an exceptional one for the ripening of all kinds of fruit and vege- 

 tables, and it may be possible that the experiences of this year will be 

 materially changed next year. 



Mr. Willard advocated the raising of sweet corn as fodder for milch 

 cows. He thought there was nothing better for a milk-producing feed. 

 Mr. Munson thought the best feed was oats and green peas. 



The winter meeting of the society was held at Burton farm, the home of 

 Charles W. Garfield. About fifty of the members, with their families, 

 had gathered before noon, but Secretary Thomas Brown was not there, 

 and it was learned with regret that sickness in his family detained him at 

 home. S. E. Rogers was retained in the place pro tern. The minutes of 

 the last meeting were read, and also Secretary Brown's report, which gave 

 a concise resume of every meeting during the past year. It was listened 

 to with interest and ordered placed on file. 



An adjournment was ordered until 1 :30 o'clock to allow those who had 

 brought their lunch baskets to discuss the contents thereof, and those who 

 had not to gather around the hospitable board which Mrs. Garfield had 

 spread with a most toothsome collation. Then a season of visiting was 

 enjoyed, while some who were addicted to the horrible tobacco habit 

 lighted their pipes and strolled around the beautiful grounds of Burton 

 farm, resolving in their own minds, one and all, that they would make a 

 visit to Mr. Garfield's pleasant home some time in the season when the 

 flowers bloom and the birds sing. Upon expressing this thought to the 

 ex-president, he insisted that every member should consider himself and 

 family welcome at any time, and so expressed himself in the meeting fol- 

 lowing. 



At the opening of the meeting in the afternoon, the subject of tomatoes 



