TWENTY FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING. 79 



The programme was substantially completed as printed, though time 

 was not suflficient for the reading of two or three papers whose authors 

 were not in attendance. 



A change was made in constitution of the society, previous notice hav- 

 ing been given, by which the oflQce of honorary president was created, to 

 he bestowed, when the society may see fit, upon any member on account 

 of long and faithful service. Its term is for life, and the beloved ex-presi- 

 dent of the society, Hon. T. T. Lyon of South Haven, was unanimously 

 tendered the position, which he accepted. 



The annual election of ofiticers resulted in choice of Roland Morrill for 

 president, Edwy C. Reid secretary, Asa W. Slayton treasurer, and Elmer 

 D. Smith, L. R. Taft, and W. W. Tracy members of executive board, Mr. 

 Tracy taking the place of Mr. Lyon, supplying vacancy. 



The usual committee found the financial affairs of the society in satis- 

 factory condition. 



A telegram of congratulation was received from the Ohio state society, 

 in session at Canton, and response was made. 



An interesting incident of the meeting was a visit, one afternoon, after 

 adjournment, to the works of the Page Wire Fence Co., where the curious 

 processes of manufacture of this fence were shown to a large number of 

 fruitgrowers. 



A pleasing feature of the sessions was the excellent music provided by 

 people of Adrian and vicinity, which included several quartets as well as 

 soloists, all of more than usual quality; but it is only fair to speak spe- 

 cially in praise of the Acme quartet of Adrian, four gentlemen whose 

 voices were not only of great power, but showed careful and highly suc- 

 cessful culture, and the solos of Mr. G. Roscoe Swift of the same city. 

 Thursday evening the Jackson quartet (three guitars and a mandolin) 

 delighted a very large audience. 



Those present from other states were, in part, Prof. L. H. Bailey and 

 S. D. Willard of New York; Prof. F. M. Webster and C. F. Yeslin of Ohio; 

 Prof. G. W. McClure of Champaign, Ills., and H. F. Thurston of the 

 Farmer's Review, Chicago. 



REPORT ON EXHIBITS. 



The committee on flower and vegetable exhibit would report that they find on 

 exhibition a collection of twenty-six varieties of chrysanthemum from Nathan Smith 

 & Son of Adrian. This exhibit, both in selection of varieties and the quality of the 

 flowers, would command attention in any exhibition and is well worthy of the first 

 premium as the best display of chrysanthemums as cut flowers. 



The Agricultural college made an exhibit of rare tropical flowers, orchids, etc., 

 together with vases of roses, chrysanthemums, etc., which is most meritorious, and 

 the thanks of the society should be extended to Prof. Taft for placing them on our 

 tables. 



Of the other exhibits of potted plants, made by M. J. Pierce, and of vegetables by 

 Squire Johnson, also a collection of seed corn, watermelons, and potatoes, by par- 

 ties unknown to us, we find in each case that the exhibitor has failed to follow the 

 necessary qualifications for a premium, and so we are unable to award any. We 

 desire to thank all those, however, who have taken the trouble to bring the flow- 

 ers, and especially Squire Johnson for the exhibit of vegetables, on their neat 

 arrangement and good quality, and we recognize that they have added materially 

 to the interest of this meeting. 



Supplementary report. — Your committee find that they have been misinformed, 

 and that the entire collection of vegetables was shown by the Adrian society, thus 

 entitling them to the first premium for collection of vegetables, including potatoes. 



WILL W. TRACY, 

 O. E. FIFIELD. 



