64 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Prest. Lyon: It is excellent as to hardiness and bearing; its quality is fair; 

 berries and bunches, not large ; ripeus earlier than the Concord. 



2, What are the keeping qualities of the Ulster grape? 



Prest. Lyon : It is rather early for me to express an opinion, as I have not 

 yet fruited it. 



3. What is the best long-keeping grape for market in central Michigan? 

 E. Graham : Niagara and Prentiss, and they are about alike. 



E. H. Scott: With me Niagara keeps well and Salem is a good keeper. 



A. W. Slayton: I have kept the Isabella till town meeting. 



Prest. Lyon: But neither the Isabella nor the Catawaba can be depended 

 ■upon to ripen in central Michigan. Prentiss is delicate and not hardy. 

 Agawam is the best keeper of all the Kogers hybrids, while its quality is fair 

 and it is a good bearer. 



J. A. Pearce: I have best success with Rogers No. 15 and Salem, as to- 

 keeping. I like the Agawam because it clings well to its stem after ripening 

 and is highly desirable as a keeper. 



C. W. Garfield told how, in plowing, he had buried bunches of several 

 sorts of grape last fall and found afterward that the Delawares had kept per- 

 fectly. 



Prest. Lyon: Had it been in wet soil or a wet season the result would have 

 been different. Burial of grapes can not be depended upon as a means of 

 keeping them unless moisture be wholly excluded. 



EEPORT ON EXHIBITS. 



Prof. Taft read the subjoined report of the committee on exhibits: 



Your committee found for its consideration, upon the table, a collection of 

 apples contributed by E. Chase Phillips, of Grand Rapids. For the most 

 part they were of good size, highly colored, and well selected. They form a 

 well chosen collection of winter apples for market purposes, and with the 

 exception of two varieties they comprise a list that can hardly be excelled 

 for home and dessert use. The whole comprises fourteen varieties. 



A. Slayton, of Grand Rapids, exhibits seven plates of apples of common 

 varieties, most of which are of merit. 



The four varieties from E. Graham, of Grand Eapids, were well selected 

 specimens. 



S, M. Pearsall, of Grand Rapids, presented plates of Talman Sweet and 

 Spy. 



E. W. Barber, of Jackson, sent specimens of the Oakland, with the accom- 

 panying letter. 



They are of good quality and are handsome dessert apples, of medium 

 size. Mr. Barber reports a yield of four b irrels from a top- grafted tree. 

 They are excellent keepers, lasting well into summer. 



Dr. Beal of the Agricultural College exhibited plates of wild rice {zizauia 

 aqvatica). Although the grains are small it is probable that they could be 

 enlarged by careful selc'tion and cultivation. In quality the wild rice ex- 

 ceeds the commercial article. 



H. C. Smith, of Grand Rapids, furnished for exhibition and decoration, 

 twenty-four plants of chrysanthemum, two of begonia rex, two of cordyh'iie 

 indivisa, two or fern, and two of cyperits. They were well grown plants 

 and served to brighten up the room, adding much to its appearance. 



L. R. Taft, 



A. G. GULLEY.. 



