556 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Owing to an almost total failure of perfectly grown or sound apples, the 

 display, both in our own society and in competing with other societies at 

 the state fair, and also at the Detroit exposition, was but partially carried 

 out or not attempted at all. 



The display at our monthly meetings, of small fruits, with the exception 

 of grapes, has been very good, better than was anticipated after the early 

 frosts. 



We have had an accession of many new members during the year, who, 

 by their presence and interest in taking part in the various discussions, 

 have been a great help and aid to the society. We have also been enter- 

 tained, by kind friends, with song and recitation, at different meetings. 



The January meeting, held at the ladies' temperance parlors, was a very 

 successful and instructive one. The first matter of importance was the 

 report of a committee which, after persevering and persistent efforts with 

 the proper authorities, reported that the board of supervisors made an 

 appropriation to furnish a permanent " hall " and rooms in the basement 

 of the court-house, for the free use of the society, and other purposes. 

 A paper was read by Dr. Owen, on " Fertilizers for the orchard," — one of 

 the best of the year. Who of us then thought we were listening to his 

 last effort; that his cheerful smile and pleasant words would so soon go 

 out from among us forever? An active discussion followed his paper, 

 participated in by Messrs. Holden. Owen, Sheffield. Edmiston, Brad- 

 rsH, Allis, Laing, Coller. Gibbs, and others. 



The February meeting was also held at ladies' temperance parlors. The 

 forenoon was devoted to the transaction of business concerning our new 

 rooms to be occupied in the near future, and other business. After dinner, 

 a recitation, and then the regular programme was taken up, led by a well- 

 written article on " House plants " by Miss Helen Nickerson. Discus- 

 sion followed, participated in by both ladies and gentlemen. Then fol- 

 lowed a recitation by Mary C. Allis, " May Belle." The second topic 

 was " The preparation of soil for crops," which finished the discussions for 

 the day. It will be impossible for me to take up in full the events of each 

 subsequent meeting, and I will only glance at the more prominent events. 



Our March meeting opened at our new hall in the court-house. The 

 forenoon session was mainly devoted to business pertaining to furnishing 

 the dining room with tables, seats, and other conveniences, and to congratu- 

 lations in securing rooms so well adapted to our purpose. The afternoon 

 session opened with large attendance, and a few new names were added to 

 our roll. After the reading of the minutes, a paper was read by D. G. 

 Edmiston, on small fruit culture, which met with hearty approval and it 

 was decided that the paper be offered for publication. 



The second Wednesday in April found us fully established in our new 

 rooms, " Horticultural hall," which is well lighted and warmed an\d plenti- 

 fully supplied with chairs and tables, and with dining room attached, mak- 

 ing a cosy place for our eminently social meetings. The meeting in the 

 afternoon was well attended and a lively interest manifested in the ques- 

 tions, ''The proper growth and nurture of small fruits," " Gooseberries," 

 " How to trim currant bushes," etc. Here my pen falters, for how well we 

 remember this last visit, though a short one, paid us on that afternoon by 

 Dr. Owen. Before another week was done, he had folded his mantle 



