254 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



to initiate a taste for a pleasant home; this, then, that I have now been recom- 

 mending, is just something of the same kind brought home to our every day 

 life; and has a tendency to elevate the finer feelings of the mind and to soothe 

 the cares and anxieties with which so many of our necessary labors and daily 

 industries are associated. 



Closing Session. 



The session on the eve of the third day of the convention was occupied for 

 the first hour with committee reports, a discussion on the Hatch bill, and the 

 adoption of resolutions with reference to matters mentioned in the President's 

 address. 



REPORTS OF COMMUTES. 



REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON TROPICAL FRUITS. 



Your committee on sub-tropical fruits desire to express their gratification at the very- 

 creditable exhibits made by A. J. Brown, of Grand Rapids, and Messrs. Herrick & 

 Randall, of the same place — the display of oranges, figs, bananas, and exotic grapes 

 made by the former, and bottled apricots, cherries, limes and oranges and bananas by 

 the latter firm. These fruits were in a fine condition, of excellent quality, and add 

 much to the interest of such a meeting as this. The exhibitors deserve the thanks of 

 the members of the society for then efforts in this direction. 

 Respectfully submitted. 



S. D. Willard, 

 E. H. Scott, 

 D. L. Garver, 



Committee. 

 Grand Rapids, December 2, 1886. 



REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON APPLES AND PEARS. 



Your committee are pleased to report the following exhibits of apples and pears, all 

 of which are representative specimens of the varieties contributed; but in consequence 

 of premature maturity, peculiar to the season, the fruits exhibited are not in as good 

 condition as usual this season : 



By W. K. Eniruons, of Byron Center, thirteen plates of standard varieties of winter 

 apples and one plate of quinces. 



By E. C. Phillips, of Walker, Kent county, ten plates of best varieties of winter 

 apples. 



By S. M. Pearsall, three plates, consisting of perfect specimens of northern spy, 

 Talman sweet, and yellow bellflower varieties. 



By E. Graham, of Grand Rapids, eight varieties of well selected winter apples. 



Mr. T. W. Crosby, of Cadillac, exhibited eight varieties of apples, which included 

 well preserved specimens of twenty-ounce and fall orange. 



Mr. Pleume, of Grand Rapids, placed fine specimens of Ben Davis and Moore's extra 

 apples. 



Mr George Hosford, of Ionia, exhibited Canada red and other apples, and very kindly 

 donated a barrel of snow apples and five baskets of well preserved grapes, which were 

 consumed and fully appreciated by members of the society and visitors. 



Victor C. Middleton placed a fine plate of Anjou pears. 



Mr. S. D. Willard. of Geneva, New York, exhibited five plates of pears of the Law- 

 rence, winter JNellis, Keiffer, and Jos. D. Maline varieties. The Keiffer were remarka- 

 bly well grown. The Josephine D. Maline is new in Michigan, and has the appearance 

 and reputation of being the best late winter pear. 



J. N. Stearns, 

 W. A. Brown, 

 Thos. Wilde, 



Committee. 



