WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS' SOCIETY. 85 



net returns to the community is what we want, and it can only come through 

 united action. This has been repeatedly demonstrated in large manufactur- 

 ing towns or districts. California and Florida are doing some pioneer work 

 in marketing their fruit which will bo profitable for us to study. 



We welcome you for social reasons. The separation into classes and the 

 "tendency to create "caste" among our people is a growing evil fostered by 

 isolation. Frequent social intercourse breeds friendship and excites interest 

 in the welfare of others. Discussing the ways and means of our business, the 

 successes and failures, stirs a fraternal feeling of good-will which nothing else 

 can. Note the man who absents himself from companionship with others — 

 selfishness results. The pleasant greeting, the hearty hand-shake, and the 

 kind inquiry after health and family and business, brings out better thoughts, 

 stimulates to more helpful deeds, sends each on his way with nobler aspira- 

 tions. 



In conclusion, I repeat that we selfishly welcome you here because of your 

 long and varied experience and the helpful advice we expect from it. We 

 welcome you in a business sense, as we have need of all the knowledge and 

 skill we can obtain in order to glean the best results from the complex and 

 many-sided callings of the pomol'>gist. We know that any calling is pro- 

 moted not only by close attention and diligent perseverance, but by an 

 enthusiastic love for it and a hopeful determination to succeed. I know of 

 no way in which enthusiasm is so easily kindled and hope revived as by fre- 

 quently meeting those having common aims, similar interests, and mutual 

 difficulties. It is like bringing the lighted brands of the logging-fallow to- 

 gether — each burns with a brighter glow. 



We welcome you socially, knowing that continued plodding and absence 

 from social gatherings tends to sordid motives and selfish actions — that fre- 

 quently getting together, especially of those in like employments, renews old 

 friendship and adds that which is new. It increases our desire for the welfare 

 of others and impresses the fact that individual welfare is the community's 

 welfare. 



For these and many other suggestive reasons, I sincerely give you a cordial 

 welcome to the hospitalities of our homes and village. 



PRESIDENT PHILLIPS' REPLY. 



To this President Phillips made a most earnest and thankful reply. Such 

 cheerful words of welcome make us feel that such meetings do indeed prove 

 of much value to pomologists and are of great social benefit as well. He had 

 often heard of South Haven as a center of pomology, and today he had 

 found that it was so, as the spreading and bountifully laden orchards attest. 

 He had heard, too, that South Haven people never do things by halves, and 

 of this also he had been convinced by the interest already shown, the open- 

 handed welcome everywhere extended. If in any way the meeting shall not 

 be successful no blame can attach to the people of South Haven. He knew 

 of no calling which so develops men to the highest degree of civilization as 

 does cultivation of fruits and flowers. Take these from us and we h ive only 

 a desert remaining, but with them we advance to man's highest estate. 



