62 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



ill Capitol grange, located in this city. Oar first attempt in the way of an 

 exhibition was with corn. V[e were all surprised at the variety of the display, 

 and it was a foundation for the relation of valuable experience and the stimu- 

 lus to a most satisfactory discussion. We could not get through with it in one 

 evening and continued it over to another meeting, leaving tlie samples on 

 exhibition in the mean time. This was followed by an exhibition of apples, 

 which was also a success. I am satisfied that this plan involves a correct prin- 

 ciple upon which to base a system of instruction. I work upon this plan in 

 teaching botany to classes. I begin by having them gather a certain kind of 

 specimens, requiring them to observe all they can ; and scarcely a year goes by 

 but that some important fact is brought out that old observers have rarely 

 noticed. Tiie exhibition of specimens always suggests valuable information, 

 and I favor this idea for clubs and societies organized for purposes of instruc- 

 tion. 



Mr. Pearsall. — I am satisfied, too, that great benefit may be derived by 

 holding these shows and bringing the people together, old and young, to talk 

 over any matters suggested by tlie specimens shown. Many people can give 

 their experience with an apple in hand or a plate of fruit to handle over, who 

 could say nothing at all empty handed. Very many of us are like the boy in 

 the spelling class who missed the word because the button was off his coat that 

 he usually had hold of. One or two of these district fruit shows I have 

 attended with very much profit, and I can see that by proper management they 

 can be very beneficial. 



3Ir. Guild. — In our farmers' club of the Saginaw vallev Ave find that the 

 fruit exhibitions are of inestimable value in illustrating information that would 

 be of little value without the specimens. 



Judge Lawton. — I am of the opinion that rightly managed these local exhi- 

 bitions of fruit might be made a fertile source of amusement and instruction. 

 You know at Paw Paw our people carried fruit together and thought they 

 selected well. They did not know the value of a stem or a blow in a speci- 

 men, and did not consider tiie importance of some of these points in judging of 

 the value of a specimen. They received rather harsh treatment at the hands 

 of the committee, but it was good for them. They learned a valuable lesson. 

 At any exhibition of this sort the people go away with new ideas that are of 

 worth in their experience. 



W. II. Harrison. — I believe in these fruit shows, and also in the formation 

 of local horticultural societies. They pave the way for such meetings as these, 

 and furnish the questions, the discussion of which will be most valuable at 

 these general meetings. 



Adjourned until Thursday morning. 



Tlinrsday Morniiifj Session. 



The first discussion of the morning was led by Charles N. Merriman upon 

 the topic, 



MISTAKES IX SELECTING ORCHARD SITES. 



Mr. Merriman said : For the orchard location, few if atiy arbitrary rules can 

 be laid down, applicable alike to all places. The most desirable exposure for 

 the western would not prove to be the most favorable one in the eastern part 

 of this State, and so of the northern and southern sections. Yet, certain gQw- 



