WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS' SOCIETY. 191 



reports might be made less onerous by a division of the several subjects per- 

 taining to horticulture and all kindred subjects, as suggested by Mr. Lyon in 

 his last annual report. Among these subjects the experimental worii now 

 being done at the Agricultural College and outlying stations will demand 

 much space; and your society should be given all subjects "pertaining to 

 practical commercial pomology, which include a comprehensive system of 

 compiling annual statistics of the amount and value of the pomological pro- 

 ducts of the state. But I cannot write full details of what might be consid- 

 ered irrelevant by your meeting. 



BEST PEACHES FOR PRESENT PLANTING. 



R. Morrill asked what are the best peaches to plant, to be named in the 

 order of ripening. Harrison Hutchins had thought of discarding the Craw- 

 fords but the crops of the past two years has changed his mind, and he has 

 concluded it is hard to get better sorts. Wheatland is an excellent peach but 

 a shy bearer. Of the earliest kinds. Champion, Shoemaker, Amsden, Water- 

 loo, and Alexander, he prefers Waterloo. Then come in order. Rivers, Louise, 

 Hale, Crane's Early, Early Rareripe, and Lewis Seedling. After these the 

 kinds are so many it is hard to tell which are best. If he were to select six 

 he would take Waterloo, Rivers, Hale, Early Crawford, Golden Drop, and 

 Smock. Stranahan and Juno are both good ; Wagar is good in quality, hardy, 

 prolific, but this year small; the Chilis have been very small for two years; 

 Switzerland is very prolific and ripens about with Late Crawford; he would 

 not plant the Mountain Rose, for though it is good it ripens with the Early 

 Crawford and so is not salable. Stump is a fair peach, about like Mixon ; the 

 latter is a tender tree but a better fruit than Crawford. 



William Corner gave as his choice of six for market. Hale, Waterloo, the 

 true Jacques Rareripe (there are different sorts under this name), large Bar- 

 nard (there are several Barnards), Corner's Seedling, Chili and Smock. 



Ihursddy Morning Session. 



The following report from the committee on miscellaneous business was 

 received and adopted: 



The committee on miscellaneous business, to whom was referred the presi- 

 dent's message, would respectfully report that they have considered his 

 recommendations and would recommend that the sum of $25 be paid the sec- 

 retary for his services. The committee would further recommend that our 

 society, at this meeting, fix the salary of the secretary at $25 per year. 

 ^vj The committee would also recommend that the society appoint a committee 

 to draft resolutions, expressive of our sorrow in the death of our honored 

 vice president, Harvey C. Sherwood, and that a copy of said resolutions be 

 forwarded to the bereaved family by the president. 



fe The committee would further recommend that the president's annual mes- 

 sage be printed along with the proceedings of the society. 



Wm. Coknek. 

 Wm. B. Andruss. 



D. W. HlNMAN. 



