REPORTS OF DISTRICT AND LOCAL SOCIETIES. 559 



Mr. Kirk of Adrian has applied the same principle to the English 

 gooseberry, and Crown Bob and other varieties which this society tested 

 and abandoned nearly forty years ago, were upon exhibition at our July 

 meeting, and many quarts were sold at good prices in the city. The society 

 has been invited to four places during the summer, and entertained by all 

 royally. During the remainder of the year, we have met at Horticultural 

 hall, and have had full attendance and good iuterest. During the last 

 quarter of the year there has been more new members added to our num- 

 ber than during the same months of any previous year, showing no abate- 

 ment in the general interest. The only trouble with this society is that 

 when it gets to going it don't know when to stop. 



And now. taking leave of you as president, I thank you all for the cour- 

 tesy shown me. 



Mrs. M. S. Trine. 



OCEANA COUNTY HORTICULTUBAL SOCIETY. 



OFFICERS FOR 1892. 



President— A. A. Adams. 

 Vice President — E. H. Hotchkiss. 

 Secretary — Benton Gebhart. 

 Treasurer — Wm. H. Barry. 



The above officers, with C. F. Hale and Wm. E. Merrill, constitute the 

 executive board. 



The number of meetings held during the year were eight, which were 

 generally well attended, with interest and profit to members. The num- 

 ber of papers read for discussion at said meetings were eight, as follows: 

 "Failure and mistakes in small fruit culture," by Benton Gebhart; "Nur- 

 sery trees and orchard fruits," by H. Anthony; "Successful plum culture," 

 by Wm. D. Markham; "Successful small fruit culture," by B. Gebhart; 

 "The future fruit package," by E. H Hotchkiss; "Needs of fruitgrowers 

 for better distribution of their fruit," by Amasa Adams; "Lower rates and 

 faster time by transportation companies," by C. A. Hawley; "Larger fruit 

 and how to raise it," by I. H. Ford. 



I herewith give the principal points in fruit culture which were dis- 

 cussed at these meetings In the discussion of the black knot on the plum, 

 the question was asked when the disease of black-knot would first show its 

 appearance on trees. Answered! that in June and sometimes in August 

 and September. 



A member asked if it was profitable to grow the blackberry and rasp- 

 berry for market. Wm. Bailey thought if it was profitable to grow them 

 at Benton Harbor, it certainly ought to be here, as the soil and everything 

 was especially adapted to small fruit culture. 



Wm. E. Merrill thinks there is money in growing small fruits. If the 

 fruit does not pay to market in its green state, it can be evaporated with 

 profit. Also, any one can create quite a home market in our small towns, 

 with choice fruit. 



