10 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



present, Mr. L. D. Watkins of Manchester, was chosen to temporarily 

 take his place. 



Waiving the programme, President Lyon spoke at some length upon 

 Michigan's exhibit at the World's Fair. A committee has been appointed 

 to prepare the exhibit, and this has been divided into six sub-committees- 

 to secure the different classes of fruits, etc. For the present the com- 

 mittee will have to work without compensation, but the legislature will be 

 called upon to settle with the committee later. It was all speculative^ 

 however. The speaker believed Michigan would be found in the lead at 

 the Fair. Trees will be taken up and shipped to Chicago, where they will 

 be set out in orchards near the Michigan building on the Exposition 

 grounds. Whatever is taken from Michigan to the Fair should be first- 

 class. The fruit must be gathered at the time of harvesting, to secure the 

 best. In strawberries and other perishable fruits, the exhibits will be 

 changed from time to time as may be necessary to keep the exhibit up to 

 standard. All this means continuous work by the several committees. 

 Circulars will be printed and supplied to horticulturists at a later date. 



Mr. L. B. Bice was called upon for a speech. He said that this part of 

 the state should be worked for the Fair, inasmuch as the season for fruits 

 in this locality is later than in other parts of Michigan. The " Thumb " 

 of Michigan can supply fruits, strawberries, etc., when fruit from other 

 parts of the state has rotted. Mr. Rice tliought that a great deal of work 

 should be done in St. Clair and the upper counties on the east side of the 

 state. 



Mr. Rice asked, " Is it good policy to mulch an orchard, especially if 

 the trees have begun to bear?" 



President Lyon stated that he never would mulch under ordinary cir- 

 cumstances. Where the ground is likely to freeze he might mulch, but 

 not on general principles. The roots will come nearer to the surface if the 

 ground is mulched. 



Mr. R. MoEKiLL of Benton Harbor did not believe in mulching, unless 

 it be with manure. The practice had not been profitable with him. 

 In fact, he had lost several crops by mulching. 



Mr. Joseph Porter believed in mulching with a cultivator. Mulching 

 for winter protection does not pay. 



Dr. Harris gave an account of his observations, but did not commit 

 himself either way as to mulching. 



Mr. Joseph Porter did not believe in off years in the fruit business. 

 He thought the idea was all moonshine. 



Mr. John M. Hoffman thought Mr. Porter was altogether too fast. He 

 never knew a tree which would bear good crops two years in succession. 



