THE ANNUAL MEETING. 209 



from, toAvit: Thin out the screen, often luiving to take out choice speci- 

 mens that had been his pride, in order to preserve the remainder in good shape 

 to act as a screen, and still not lose the peculiar habit of the species. 



At the south end of the line of trees is a school yard, which Mr. Steere has 

 planted to evergreens in variety, tlius connecting the line of screen witli the 

 lines of hedges, one of arbor vita3 and the otlier of hemlock, which extend in 

 lines on two sides of his house. These hedges have been planted eleven or 

 twelve years and stand seven feet in lieight, and are kept nicely sheared. 

 Connected with these hedges, as a sort of background, viewed from the house, 

 are groups of large evergreen frees, the whole giving a complete protection for 

 the premises on the three sides at wdiicli most of our severe winds seek entrance. 



j\lr. Steere informed us that on account of this protection his thermometer 

 registered higher invariably during the winter months than at other places 

 in his neighborhood unprotected ; and, what seemed quite remarkable, the 

 screen was a protection from summer heat, thus rendering the temperature 

 more even throughout the year. 



The second screen entered was more beautiful but not more serviceable. It 

 bounded a nursery on the south, west and northwest sides. It consists of Nor- 

 way spruces planted ten feet apart, which stand very evenW, thirty-five feet in 

 height, and were set out only ten years ago. This last screen is a good example 

 of how' quickly one can secure an evergreen j^irotection from our severe south- 

 west winds. It does not require a life-time. In a decade Mr. Steere has a 

 model screen thirty-five feet high, upon ordinary gravel loam. The outlay at 

 the beginning is very slight, and any one will get pay for the care given, in 

 the satisfaction returned by the growth of the trees ; and before one realizes 

 that he is ten vears older he has a beautiful and serviceable wind-break. 



As the forests are cut off and the wind has a better sweep of the country, we 

 must seek protection of this kind for our houses, stock, fruit and grain crops. 

 The sooner we begin in earnest the better. Let Michigan farmers generally 

 follow the worthy example of Mr. Steere and each one w^ill have a part in 

 emphasizing the motto of the State: SI qucBris 2^eninsulam, amcetiam circum- 

 spice. 



Several papers have been contributed to the proceedings of our society by 

 our worthy member, George Taylor, of Kalamazoo, on the subject of forestry. 

 He has started upon a matter that demands our earnest attention, and whether 

 our name be ^^Pomological" or *•' Horticultural,'' our object should include 

 this matter of preserving and growing forests. I submit whether it is not wise 

 for us to begin the gathering of statistics in our own State, for the purpose of 

 getting the people to better understand the necessity w^e are fast reaching, of 

 growing and maintaining plantations of trees for timber and protection. And 

 while suggesting the subject of statistics, is it not wise for us to be preparing 

 for the next legislature some plan for gathering statistics on horticultural mat- 

 ters that shall be available in demonstrating our progress in horticulture to 

 others, and assisting in proper encouragement among ourselves. 



THE ORCHAKD COMMITTEE. 



For several years now we have abandoned our orchard viewins:, with the 

 intention of taking it up again when it would exercise a good influence in the 

 orchard interest. I have received a number of letters inquiring about the 

 time when this department of our work would be resumed, and it seems to the 

 tho.t the ensuing year will be a propitious one for again taking hold of me 

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