244 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



two. This variety was said to be early, and nearly gone at the date of sending. In 

 bunch, berry, and flavor it is much like Lady. It seems inclined to drop readily from 

 the bunch — a serious fault. 



Specimens of several seedling grapes were received from Lamont, Ottawa county, 

 but as none of them appeared to come up to the standard established by the American 

 Pomological Society, and adopted by this society, descriptions of them were not taken. 



Just previous to the State fair, we visited the grounds of Mr. C. Engle, of Paw Paw, 

 Van Buren county, who is engaged quite extensively in the origination of new peaches 

 and grapes. We were accompanied from Paw Paw by Mr. A. C. Glidden, of that place, 

 and -we were shown through the seedling peach orchards and vineyards, and the pur- 

 poses and results explained by Mr. Eagle. The purpose aimed at is to secure hardiness 

 of the plant (and in the peach of the fruit buds also), together with the most desirable 

 and valuable qualities in the fruit. The parent varieties are chosen upon this princi- 

 ple; the seedlings when planted out, are only given average cultivation, with no 

 excessive stimulation, or special protection, and such as betray tenderness or other 

 objectionable peculiarities, are rejected. Many varieties of peaches were already out of 

 season, but several yet retained enough fruit to show their characteristics, among which 

 were the two peaches already described. Upon the grapes, nearly all of a large plan- 

 tation were carrying more or less fruit, among which were a very considerable number 

 •of seedlings of decided promise. Several of these were subsequently on exhibition at 

 the State fair. 



Several fine seedling grapes, aside from those of Mr. Engle, were also on exhibition at 

 the State fan-, in competition for the premium offered by the society, which was 

 awarded to one of the latter. 



We failed to secure a description of this seedling, and cannot, therefore, include a 

 proper notice of it in this report. 



Apples. 



On September 20, 1886, specimens of a seedling apple, orginated by Mitchell La 

 Croix, of Charlevoix county, Michigan, were received from the originator, at the close 

 of the State fair. The fruit is of medium size, oblate, ribbed, or five angled; yellow, 

 with reddish brown in the sun; in season in Charlevoix county about the middle of 

 October. Flesh very white, breaking, tender, fine-grained, juicy, vinous, sprightly, 

 " very good." The specimens were sent to the State fair for exhibition as a seedling, but 

 did not reach the hall till after the close of the fair. We regard it as worthy of a 

 trial. 



We are indebted to H. E. Van Deman, Pomologist of the Department of Agriculture, 

 at Washington, for specimens of a seedling originated by Sol. Edwards, of tola, Kan- 

 sas. The tree is already aged— an accidental seedling. Fruit of medium size, round- 

 ish oblate: color, a clear red blush on yellowish ground; flesh pale yellow, breaking, 

 tender, a little coarse, moderately juicy, mild sub-acid, almost sweet; in good eating 

 .condition October 1; is grown in Kansas, but said to keep well into winter. Appearance 

 fine, quality excellent, "very good." 



Rowe (Beauty), was received from H. E. Van Deman, of Geneva, Kansas, United 

 States Pomologist, November 3, 1886, grown in Kansas. Size medium, oblate, obscurely 

 conical; greenish or yellowish, striped and splashed with dark red: flesh faint yellow- 

 ish white: texture somewhat granular: moderately juicy; very mild sub-acid; "good" 

 .to "very good." 



All which is respectfully submitted. 



T. T. Lyon, Chairman. 



The report was accepted and ordered printed in the official proceedings of 

 •this meeting. 



The general topic for the afternoon discussion was 



THE PUBLIC PARK. 



Thos. D. Gilbert opened the discussion of " The Public Park a Humanizing 

 Town Atrribute," by speaking of the duties of villages and cities. Penn, when 

 he laid out Philadelphia, was far in advance of his age in reserving occasional 

 squares for public use as parks. New -York never seemed to have such ideas. 

 There are no open places from the Battery to Union Square, two miles. 

 After it grew to a half million people the necessity of parks became apparent 



