THE ANNUAL MEETING. 205 



I believe the plan of quarterly meetings, held in acceptance of invitations 

 from localities, and supported by the localities, aided by our officers, is a very 

 proper one, and has been at the foundation of our success. I further believe it 

 pays each locality sending the invitation to do everything within the power of 

 the inhabitants to secure the attendance of horticulturists from other places; 

 it is like an influx of new blood, and by entertaining these prominent man in 

 their homes the people are taught many lessons tliat otherwise would be lost. 



LOCAL HOKTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 



The number of local societies is gradually increasing, and I count this a good 

 omen in our progress. Two new societies at least have been organized, one at 

 Pennville, in Allegan county, and one at Benzonia, in Benzie county. There 

 should be an intimate relationship kept up between the local and State 

 societies. We are one in purpose, and can be of mutual aid to one another in 

 developing the possibilities of each section. It is through these local organiza- 

 tions that we can best perfect our catalogue of fruits if they will only '*' lend a 

 hand" in the work. 



THE AKKUAL FAIR. 



It is well known to you that our executive committee arranged again in 1879 

 to exhibit for the State Agricultural Society. I do not wish to encroach upon 

 the reports of other officers of the society in referring to the annual exhibition, 

 but I do want to say that we are making material progress in this business. 

 Our committee work was ably performed this year, and upon the right basis ; 

 the methods of giving accurate information to the public are becoming more 

 perfect every year. The clasps which were employed, when rightly used, will 

 be a great improvement, and, if in the future, we can have such an arrange- 

 ment of hall as to plan the positions of the various departments of the premium 

 list, so that there shall be a clearly defined division line ; and employ tables in 

 the place of shelves, with plenty of sky light, we shall have reached a com- 

 mendable position in the show business. Circulars were issued from time to 

 time by me to the fruit-growers during late summer, and I am satisfied 

 exhibitors paid more attention to the collection of specimens than ever before. 

 I attribute our very large exhibit to the following facts : 1st, the arrangement 

 of our premium list, which as it now stands, is the best catalogue of prizes for 

 pomological products that I have ever seen, even although the amount of money 

 awarded is not large ; and 2d, to the free circulation of bulletins among 

 fruit-growers by the Superintendent of fruits and the Secretary. I append a 

 copy of the first circular that was sent out which was followed by a number of 

 others : 



Circular No. 1. 



The State Pomological Society calls attention to the following facts about the fair 

 of 1879: 



First — Our hall is to be greatly enlarged. 



Second— The arrangement of fruit and flowers will enable an observer to take in 

 the entire exhibit at one glance. 



Third— Our plates are pearl white and thus add to the appearance of the fruits. 



Fourth — We have at much expense secured brass clasps to be attached to the plates, 

 which will hold card labels well above the fruit. 



Fifth — Our cards will have tlie names of all prominent fruits printed thereon in 

 clear bold type. 



Do not neglect us this season; apples are scarce but other fruits are plenty. Our 

 premium list, which has been sent you, offers better inducements than last year. 



Grand Kapids, Mich. CHAS. W. GARFIELD, Secretary. 



