358 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETI'. 



Capt. Beittain was reported by the president as saying that the steam- 

 ers McVea and Saiigatuck would be unable to get into Saugatuck harbor 

 this season to take care of the fruit on account of the depth of water drawn 

 Mr. PuRDY thought it is too early in the season to be able to tell just 

 what can be done with the harbor. 



NOVEMBER MEETING. 



After a rest of several months, during the busy season, the regular 

 monthly meeting of the society was held at Douglas, Saturday afternoon,. 

 Nov. 4, and was called to order by President Wiley. Only eight persons 

 were present and the time was taken up in a discussion of the harbor 

 question. 



President Wiley stated that, as a result of the trip made to Grand 

 Rapids to see Col. Ludlow, it was learned that the harbor is not in so bad 

 a shape as has been represented. It would be necessary to plant a row of 

 trees along the sand banks to act as a windbrake and prevent the sand 

 from drifting into the river. The rotten piling could be cut off beneath 

 the water and recapped by a j)rocess now in use, at a comparatively slight 

 expense. Senator Stockbridge and Representative Thomas are ready to 

 do all they can and it is thought that by sending a committee to Chicago 

 and Milwaukee among the commission men their influence could be 

 secured in securing the cooperation of their congressional representatives, 

 [t would be necessary to go to work this fall and raise as much money as 

 possible to pay these necessary expenses in securing aid and to employ 

 Hon. W. P. Sutton or some other experienced man at Washington, tia 

 labor in the interest of an appropriation. The boat owners stand ready to 

 give as much as the fruitgrowers, and with the aid of the business men a 

 sufficient sum could be raised. 



H. H. Goodrich stated that all Ganges is interested in the harbor for. 

 without a harbor, all their fruit must be drawn to Fennville. [Just what 

 objection there is to drawing it there, he did not state.] 



Thos. Gray thought that a ship load of manure could be brought over 

 from Chicago and spread on the sand and then a wide belt of willows or 

 Cottonwood trees planted as a protection. He thought the trees would 

 grow, as Baldhead is covered with all kinds of trees that act as a protection 

 to it. Sand fences might be necessary until the trees were large enough.. 

 Unless something is done to secure an appropriation soon, Saugatuck will 

 go on the list of abandoned harbors. 



H. H. Goodrich stated that South Haven used sand fences with good 

 results and now has a good harbor, though not having as much water as at 

 Saugatuck. 



Mr. Welch was iu favor of trying to secure an appropriation, but didn't 

 think it advisable to do any work on the harbor themselves, as it is "too- 

 big a job." 



D. C. Putnam said that united etfort was what is needed to get the 

 appropriation. Statistics must be shown and considerable " log-rolling'' 

 would be necessary, and that is why it was thought best to have a man in 

 Washington to look after the case. 



The discussion ended by leaving the matter in the old committee's hand* 

 and the meeting adjourned to meet at the masonic hall in Douglas, the 

 first Saturday in December at two o'clock p. m. The meeting will then 



