oQ STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



the west in this matter. Their experience has been lost because it has not 

 been improved upon. 



Mr. Lyon. — The fact is that in the east they have not the need for fences 

 rliat Ave have, and hence the question does not arrive at such importance. 

 Tlieir haws restrain stock, and they really do not need tlie hedge experience 

 that would be valuable to us. 



Mr. Merriman. — Really are we not rapidly getting toward a similar condi- 

 tion of things, and would not a law of this kind enforced be of more practical 

 value than experience in hedge fencing. 



Mr. Gulley. — I would really like to get at the sense of this meeting upon 

 this hedge question, and for that purpose offer the following : 



liesolved. That the Michio^au State Pomological Society recommend the phanting of 

 hedges for fences in Michigan. 



After a sharp discussion the resolution was tabled until the June meeting. 



The secretary then read a very earnest invitation from tlie Oceana and Lake 

 Shore Pomological Society for the State association to hold its summer meet- 

 ing in Pentwater. 



Referred bv motion to the executive committee. 



The next topic for discussion was in the form of the question : 



SHALL WE AIM TO GROW LARGE APPLES? 



Mr. Guild, of East Saginaw, said : 



Just the reason why the society should select me to lead in this discussion I 

 cannot tell, unless it is that I, having a large capacity to dispose of extremely 

 large specimens of fruit, and in having such would of course take the affirma- 

 tive. But of the question, shall we grow large or small fruit, I would hardly 

 thitik there was but one side. If we go to any market to buy fruit, vegetables, 

 or anything else, do we select the small or inferior lots, or do we look over the 

 whole stock to get the largest and nicest. If you place one large apple in a 

 dish with several inferior ones of even far better quality, which is selected first, 

 unless it should be passed for mamma's sake.^ If we place two or more plates 

 of fruit upon show, how many encomiums of praise will be bestowed upon 

 those of inferior size, even if they are of a far superior quality. Why do we 

 pack on the bottom of the barrel in regular order all the largest and finest 

 specimens ? and when the barrel is all packed is not the head with all these 

 elegant specimens marked with large letters to show to the merchant which 

 head to open when the fruit is exposed for sale? And why does the dishonest 

 dealer pack all the small specimens in the center of the barrel where tliey will 

 be tlie least exposed to the view of the purchaser ? Is not this state of things 

 carried out in everything, and witli all classes. Does not the young and 

 sprightly girl put on her best bows and take the greatest pains when she 

 expects her young fellow on Sunday evening, and if all this is done 

 to please the eye, why should we try to change this order? Have we 

 been traveling in the wrong path so long and just found it out? I think not. 

 I confess that it may at times be carried too far; that dishonesty may creep 

 in, and by our actions we may countenance great wrongs, but certainly such 

 notions cannot be attributed to us if we try to stimulate each and all to excel 

 in what they undertake. If we wish to raise fruit for the market, we certainly 



