THIRD A]^]N"UAL MEETING, AT GRAE'D HAYEK 



The third aunual meeting was held at Grand Haven, Dec. 14-16, 1886. 

 Many prominent fruit growers and delegates were present from the counties of 

 Berrien, Van Buren, Allegan, Ottawa, Kent, and Muskegon. Grand Haven 

 is the home of President Phillips and several members of the society. On this 

 account the citizens of the city manifested much interest in the success of the 

 meeting. This was evident from the hospitable manner in which the dele- 

 gates were received and provided for during their stay. 



The first session was held Tuesday evening, in the Congregational church. 

 Messrs. George Hancock & Son, proprietors of an extensive greenhouse of that 

 city, had presented the committee of arrangements two exceedingly fine bou- 

 quets and a handsome collection of flowering plants and vines, which were 

 artistically arranged and placed in front of the president's stand. The con- 

 vention opened with prayer by Dr. Knapp, followed by a song of welcome by 

 the choir. The singing was grand, seldom equaled by others than profes- 

 sionals. Following this the Hon. G. W. McBride gave the address of welcome, 

 and the Hon. H. H. Holt made fitting response. After another song by 

 the choir. President Phillips delivered his annual address. 



To the Members of the West Michigan Fruit Growers^ Society: 



It is now two years and six months since representative fruit growers in 

 their several localities in the western part of this state assembled in the court 

 house in this city, and organized themselves into a society for the purpose of 

 developing fruit culture to the highest standard attainable ; also to attain to 

 better and more profitable methods of picking, packing, and marketing fruits ; 

 and last, but not least, for educating the public mind to a higher appreciation 

 of the beauties of nature represented by fruits and flowers. And in looking 

 back over the short time since the organization of this society, and noting 

 the success that has followed its efforts, we trust that every member at this 

 time in its history will be greatly encouraged to renew their efforts to help 

 this organization to attain to the most comi^lete methods of advancing the 

 interests for which it was organized. 



During the past year three meetings of this society have been held, with 

 abundant success. The annual meeting one year ago was held at Allegan, 

 attendance fair, interest good. Some interesting and valuable papers were 

 read at this meeting. The meeting at Holland, in March, was a good one. 

 Large numbers of prominent fruitgrowers were in attendance, and the inter- 

 est in the meeting was good at the opening and increased to the very close. 

 The summer meeting at South Haven was a great success, and was probably 

 one of the best meetings of the kind ever held in the state. The leading 

 fruit growers of western Michigan were out in large numbers, aad discussed 



