218 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Having these natural advantages, our best success hinges mainly on acquir- 

 ing more knowledge in the various departments of horticultural pursuits; 

 better and more thorough methods of 'preventing and destroying the many 

 diseases and insect enemies of trees, fruits, and vegetables; enlarged facilities 

 for handling and shipping, and a wider and more even distribution of the 

 products. The three great factors are production, transportation, sale. 



The programme of this institute was arranged with reference to obtaining 

 instruction upon these topics. I knoTf of no way to give more genuine wel- 

 come on an occasion like this than to show the leading industries we wish to 

 foster; to indicate the kind of knowledge needed, and to get the benefit of 

 others' opinions and observation and the comparison of experiences and ex- 

 periments. Fruit raising requires unusual foresight. The tree must be good, 

 its fruit desirable. We plant in the spring, not to harvest in the autumn, 

 but years later. Thus the choice of a tree is important; the care must be 

 good and constant; and finally, after years of waiting, the tree becomes an 

 investment of such value that diligence and watchfulness are essential to fair 

 returns. 



The above statistics give a glimpse of the importance of the horticultural 

 interest of the State and a flattering promise for the future if our part is 

 intelligently performed. We appreciate the necessity of faith in our calling. 

 The number of diseases and enemies of the tree sometimes shakes this faith ; 

 hence the need of knowledge to show that every disease and insect has its pre- 

 vention, cure or destruction. 



In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, we give you most cordial and hearty 

 welcome to the village of South Haven and to this institute. 



EEMARKS BY PRESIDENT WILLITS. 



At the conclusion of the address of President Monroe, President Willits, 

 of the Agricultural College, was introduced, and from his very interesting 

 talk the following is condensed : 



It affords me great pleasure to visit South Haven. I have come from 

 Monroe, in the eastern part of the State, to South Haven, as I had a strong 

 desire to visit the fruit growing parts of the State. Monroe once had a good 

 reputation for raising fruit, but you have long since surpassed her. The first 

 pear I ever ate was grown at Monroe, and the old tree is yet standing, ninety 

 feet high and twelve feet in circumference. 



We have come here to organize a State Farmers' Institute, and this is to 

 be organized under the State Board of Agriculture. We are trying to work 

 up the agricultural possibilities of the State. For we ask, after the timb^ 

 is removed from our northern land, then what? And to-day we come 

 to talk about the fruit industry. For if those statistics do not lie we have 

 come to the place where this industry is shown at its best, and they say that 

 figures will not lie, and we all know C. J. Monroe will not lie. If agri- 

 culture is the crowning industry of Michigan, then fruit raising is one of the 

 foremost industries of the State. I am glad these three counties raise that 

 splendid fruit, the apple. The Michigan apple is the standard of a good apple 

 in California. It may not be out of place to say something of some other locali- 

 ties. Our people are looking to Florida and California. A great many have 

 put large sums of money in Florida, but nine- tenths of these are disappointed. 

 Just now the talk is about California. There are thousands of people now 



