INTRODUCTORY. 



To the Members of the Michigan State Pomoloffical Society : 



It is but just to say that the preparation for this volume was 

 conducted under circumstances very unfavorable to success. 



As will be seen by reference to the Constitution, the Society 

 was only incorporated the 5th day of July, 1871, under the 

 special act provided by the Legislature in April, 1871, for such 

 organizations. 



Up to that time no effort had been made to secure matter 

 for the report, as the finances of the Society would only per- 

 mit the publication of such matter as would naturally and 

 necessarily find its way on my record through the usual 

 addresses, discussions, and essays brought out by the monthly 

 meetings and Annual Fair. 



B.y the conditions of the act referred to, the transactions of 

 the Society are to be published by the State. It seemed clear 

 that this step was taken for the purpose of giving Michigan's 

 great and fast increasing fruit-growing interests a proper place 

 in her literature. 



To occupy this broad field, thus suddenly opened in so short 

 a time, in such a manner as should do justice to the cause, has 

 been the problem. N'ot but that there was sufficient talent in 

 our State to fill volumes like this, and creditably too, — there 

 the difficulty did not lie, — but to find all this talent and secure 

 its work in'a new channel, has been the impossibility. 



To all those who have so cordially responded to solicitations 

 for articles for insertion in this volume, are gratefully tendered 

 the thanks of 



THE SEORETAKY. 



Gband Rapids, Mich., December, 1871. 



