MICniGAlSr STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 11 



Peninsular State, that Pomology, as a branch of airriculturc, has not had 

 that prominence given to it which its value and importance, both present 

 and prospective, in justice require. "While anything that may add to 

 our taxes will, and should, be closely scrutinized, the intelligence of our 

 citizens is certainly equal to appreciating the value and economy of reas- 

 onable expenditures in that direction, if practically applied. Just what 

 steps will best accomplish the desired ends;, the united wisdom of the 

 Society can best point out. 



The selection of Grand Rapids as a point to initiate a State organiza- 

 tion seems eminently fit, for, while being nearly in the center of that 

 interest, the more distant southeastern portions of the State enjoy facili- 

 ties which render a few miles more of travel of little objection; and we 

 in this other extreme section recognize the fact that we could not expect 

 a selection that would be more convenient. 



Yours truly, 



GEORGE PARMELEE. 

 EEMAKKS ON THE CULTIVATION AND VARIETIES OF APPLES. 



Members were solicited to describe their specimens of fruit 

 in brief speeches. Mr. Ford said he had brought scions of 

 English and G-olden Eussets. These apples were often con- 

 founded, when they were entirely different, as any one could 

 Bee by looking at the scions. The Golden Russet limb is slim 

 and light colored. Mr. F. also presented scions of the English 

 Eusset, which has a green and russet color. His English Eas- 

 gets were very hardy, — had kept them a year and a half. The 

 English and Golden Eussets were as different as the Baldwin 

 and Spitzenburg. The English Eusset grows upright and 

 spreads; his soil was lightish. The value of the Eussets was 

 in their hardy keeping qualities. His Jonathans kept well ; 

 the chief value of this apple was that it was an annual and 

 abundant bearer; there v/ere always apples where there were 

 Jonathan apple trees. 



Eev. H. E. Waring made a statement of his fruit experience. 

 He resides two miles east of the city, on elevated table land, 

 possessing the naturally drained loamy elements most favora- 

 ble to successful orcharding, and makes fruit a prominent 

 feature of farming. Mr. W. ranks Steele's Eed Winter, and 

 Ehode Island Greening, among his most profitable sorts in full 



