-60 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



race, had it originated on this hemisphere, would be as far advanced today as 

 it is. He concluded that it would be, for these continents are as richly sup- 

 plied as the others with fruits, grain, metals, and every other form of matter 

 that enters into our daily life in civilization. 



Prest. Lyon: The Green Bay Indians, in Wisconsin, use wild rice as food, 

 and at the harvest time all start in together, it being against their rules or 

 laws for any one to gain an advantage by an earlier start. This perhaps 

 indicates that in that locality at least it does not ripen so irregularly. 



Prof. Beal : Green bay is so far north that perhaps only the central stalk 

 ripens. 



Mr. Lyon: I agree that the quality of wild rice is superior to that of 

 southern rice, and that its color is undesirable; yet I believe its improvement 

 and cultivation are practicable. 



ANNUAL REPORTS. 



treasuker's report. 



Ladies and Gentlemen of the State Horticultural Society : 

 I have the honor to present you my annual report. 



Receipts. 



In the treasury Dec. 4, 1887 $983 44 



Received from branch societies 39 24 



Annual memberships .. 17 00 



Interest on bonds, mortgages, etc 120 85 



Total $1,160 54 



Disbursements. 



Paid 26 checks, aggregating $818 51 



Leaving a balance in treasury of - 342 03 



Total - $1,160 54 



We have 203 life members, the fund therefrom amounting to $2,030, 

 invested as follows : 



Seymour mortgage $1,000, Lytell mortgage $300, Jacob Swell mortgage 

 $300, \y. N. Cook mortgage $350, U. S. bonds $150, total $2,100. 



All of which is respectfully submitted. 



S. M. Pearsall, Treasurer. 



Grand Rapids, December 3, 1888. 



secretary's report. 



To the Members of the Michigan State Horticultural Society : 



In presenting a report I labor under the disadvantage of taking office in 

 the middle of a year and with comparatively slight former acquaintance with 

 the affairs of the society. I therefore can scarcely be expected to present 



