93 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



on February 26, 1870, when the articles of association prepared by 

 the committee appointed for that purpose, were presented, discussed, 

 amended and adopted. Article I read as follows: "The object of the 

 society is to develop facts, and promulgate information, as to the best 

 varieties of fruit for cultivation in the fruit regions of the State of 

 Michigan, and the best methods of cultivation. It was a modest under 

 taking." The following named gentlemen were elected honorary mem- 

 bers: William Adair, Detroit; J. J. Ramsdell, Traverse City; Town- 

 send E. Gidley, Grand Haven, and Daniel Upton of Black Lake, Muske- 

 gon county. At this meeting the following officers were elected : Presi- 

 dent, H. G. Saunders; Treasurer, S. L. Fuller; Secretary, A. T. Linder- 

 man. All were residents of Grand Rapids. A corresponding committee 

 composed of Henry S. Clubb and Daniel Upton was appointed. 



On April 5th of the same year, a meeting of the Society was held 

 in Grand Rapids. From the report of the Secretary, I quote as follows : 



"President Saunders brought in a basket of beautiful fruit, among 

 them very fine and rich specimens of the Russet and large and bright 

 looking Baldwins. Henry Holt of Cascade offered fine samples of the 

 Swaar and Peck's Pleasant. Mr. Houghtaling, of Grand Rapids town- 

 ship, exhibited large healthy, brown looking Baldwins, and a few genuine 

 Roxbury Russets. Erastus Hale, of Grand Rapids, sent in a basket of 

 bright red looking Baldwins. J. H. Ford, of Paris, brought a basket 

 of brotherly-looking Jonathans, and some hardy English Russets. Rev. 

 H. E. Waring, of Grand Rapids township, sent specimens of Baldwins, 

 Roxbury, Russets and Tallman Sweetings. Noah P. Husted, of Lowell, 

 presented a basket of splendid Wagners "attractive to the eye and 

 delicious to the taste." A letter written by George Parmalee, of Old 

 Mission, was read in which the writer suggested that a movement be 

 inaugurated to secure the aid of the state in the promotion of the in- 

 terests in Pomology. 



Members were requested to relate their experiences with the spec- 

 imens of fruit exhibited. Mr. Ford presented scions of English and 

 Golden Russets. These apples were often misnamed although they were 

 entirely different, as one could see by looking at the scions. The 

 golden Russet limb is slim and light colored. The English Russet scion 

 has a green and russet color. Mr. Ford's English Russets were hardy. 

 The owner had kept them one year and six months. The English and 

 Golden Russets were as different as the Baldwin's and Spitzenberg's. 

 The English Russet tree grows upright and spreads. Mr. Ford's soil 

 is light. The chief value of russets is their keeping qualities. His 

 Jonathans kept well, but its chief value is that it was annual and an 

 abundant bearer. There were always apples where there were Jonathan 

 apple trees. Rev. Mr. Waring classed Steele's Red winter and the 

 Rhode Island Greening as among his most profitable sorts in full bear- 

 ing. His peach trees had not failed to produce a crop in fifteen years, 

 although there had been a few seasons when the yield was not more than 

 one-third or one-half more than a full one. He placed the early and 

 late CraAvfords and the Barna"d at the head. In the markets he found 



