THE SUMMER MEETING. 



HELD IN' THE VILLAGE OF BENTOX HARBOR, JUNE 7, 8, AND 9. 

 RECORD OF DISCUSSIONS AND TEXT OF PROMINENT PAPERS. 



In acceptance of an invitation from the Berrien County Horticultural 

 Society, the State society met in its June convention in 13enton Harbor. 

 Antisdale's hall had been secured for the occasion, and was tastefully deco- 

 rated by a committee of ladies from Benton Harbor and St. Joseph. Ever- 

 greens had been used profusely, and plants in pots, cut flowers and trailing 

 vines were all successfully employed in rendering the hall a delightful place of 

 meeting. 



There were visiting members from distant parts of the State, including Grand 

 Traverse and Oceana on the north, and Wayne and Lenawee on the south and 

 east. Delegates were also present from Illinois and Indiana. 



Letters were received from a number of people who expected to be present, 

 but were prevented by unforeseen circumstances. A number of these letters 

 were read at the opening session, which occurred on the evening of Juno 7th, 

 a few quotations from which are given in this connection : 



FROM MR. J. D. BALDWIN, ANN ARBOR: 



At our meeting last Saturday we appointed delegates to attend State meet- 

 ing at Benton Harbor, but I fear from reports that none can go. I regret 

 this because so many of our good friends came the same long road to meet with 

 us last winter. Our zeal in the good cause is not one whit abated, notwith- 

 standing our fruit prospects for the coming season are by no means promising. 

 We have all of us lost a few peach, quince, and plum trees by the past hard 

 winter, — generally on hills facing the west and southwest, or in depressed 

 places where the drains could not carry off the surface water caused by the 

 January thaw, on account of the frost below. The immediate prospects for 

 fruit are about as follows : strawberries, rather less than a full crop ; all hardy 

 raspberries promising well; grapes everywhere first rate ; hardy blackberries 

 the same; apple trees blossomed full, but few are maturing, crop about one- 

 fourth ; peaches about the same with me, but in lower localities fine young 

 orchards much less than one-fourth a crop. Hill's Chili with me have stood 

 the battle, and my five hundred trees will have nearly a full crop; cherries 

 very few; pears perhaps one-half a crop. Lard and sulphur are not very 

 effective against the curculios here and so they have taken possession of the 

 plum crop. 



I wish to say a word on the third topic of your programme. We cannot 



