WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT G' OAVERS' SOCIETY. 137 



gent, enthusiastic, and practical ladies and gentlemen here assembled, we must 

 lay all doubts aside and confess wiiercof we know, that our visit among you 

 can be none other than a pleasant and a profitable one. In your generous 

 and hospitable welcome you have extended to us the freedom of your muni- 

 cipality; a welcome to your society, to your homes, and to your hearts. What 

 more can a people offer? What more can a guest or a stranger at your gate 

 desire? We who have come from afar, and whose opportunities have not per- 

 mitted us to aspire to that degree of perfection so fully attained by yourselves, 

 in this favored region of the peach and other specialties in the field of pomol- 

 ogy, would only suggest, that in the discussion of the subject before us, you 

 shed abroad and among us the results of your practical experience in the call- 

 ing you have chosen, that we may profit and add to our store the blessings 

 founded on your labors. The society whose welcome bidding is this day as- 

 sured, is comparatively new as an organization, but in its united membership 

 is the oldest of any in our beloved commonwealth in practical expression and 

 devotion to the calling of the fruit grower. Far from any purpose of mine to 

 make invidious comparisons between this society, as an organization, or its 

 members as individuals, and others of like character; but an intimate knowl- 

 edge of its members and those of others compels me to say that none other, 

 not one, can more than claim an equal place by its side. Our programme, 

 as will be seen, is largely devoted to the peach — its culture, varieties, and 

 management in detail. 1 take pleasure in informing you that the gentlemen 

 selected to treat the various divisions of these subjects, so interesting and 

 essential to the wealth and prosperity of this locality, are men chosen from 

 the veteran ranks of the calling, and I bespeak for them your candid consider- 

 ation. Sir, again I thank you for your generous welcome, for your assured hos- 

 pitality, and your devoted friendship ; and when is given that last evidence of 

 continued friendship, exemplified by the hand-shaking at the parting, may we 

 return to our homes laden — yea burthened — with the lessons learned among 

 you, and the reminiscences of this occasion be annually in our memories so 

 long as life extends. Friends, you have laid us under a debt of gratitude too 

 great for us to repay, with the uncertainties of life before us. 



The only topic assigned for the evening was "Prospective outlook for a 

 peach crop in 1887." Several members from different sections were called upon, 

 and they reported concerning every other sort of fruit crop as well as peaches, 

 all agreeing that the promise for full crops was seldom better, though some 

 injury to trees by the severe winter was noted. 



Thursday Morning Session. 



President Phillips announced ihe following committees: 



Resolutions — J. H. Wetmore of Allegan, A. C. Merritt of Oasco, and L. H. 

 Wilcox of Benton Harbor. 



Fruits — Chas. Alford of Ottawa county, A. Adams of Shelby, W. A. 

 .Brown of Benton Harbor. 



Flowers — H. Dale Adams of Galesburg, Mrs. Roxina Sheffer of Oasco, 

 .Mrs. G. H. LaFleur of Allegan. 



Frank Lindermau of Oasco, read the following paper on 



