TWENTIETH ANNUAL MEETING,

HELD IN KALAMAZOO, DECEMBER 2, 3, AND 4, 1890.

For the twentieth time the Michigan State Horticultural society has met for transaction of its annual business and preparation for the work of a new year. This time the assembly was in Kalamazoo and the time Dec. 2 to 4, and in all respects save that of local attendance the meeting was a complete success. The programme had wide range and most of the papers read were of great practical value.

PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL MESSAGE.

President LYON called the first session to order Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 2, and read his annual message, which is here appended:

Fellow Members of the Michigan State Horticultural Society:

As in the course of events nature has ordered that our earth and its attendant worlds shall be annually brought back to its original position, to re-traverse the cycle of the months, so, in the case of our society, the the course of events has again brought us to a stage appropriately dedicated to a retrospect of the operations of the year now past, and the consideration of the important problem, how we may gather wisdom from its lessons, and thereby secure increased effectiveness in the work of the coming year.

In accordance with the trite and homely adage that "charity begins at home," I am compelled to again refer to the circumstance that a very large proportion of our state, and especially its newer portions, is, to us, unoccupied territory; while its inhabitants, taken as a whole, seem but slightly conscious of the horticultural possibilities of their regions.

That an appropriation by the legislature, to enable the society to do a a work in this field, otherwise impossible, would prove a profitable investment, even pecuniarily considered, can scarcely be doubted, in the light of results of similar legislation in other states possessing far less horticultural capacity than ours.

In lack of this, the society has heretofore proposed to distribute a portion of its annual volumes in such localities. Owing to various difficulties, little has heretofore been done in this direction; but it is understood that our secretary has recently inaugurated a movement of this kind, as he may be expected to explain in his annual report.

We suggest that, in the absence of local horticultural organizations, granges and other similar organizations, consenting to devote a portion of

their efforts to horticulture, be placed upon a basis equivalent to that of local societies, so far as the distribution of our transactions may be concerned; also that county and other local agricultural societies be, in some manner, enabled and encouraged to offer them, at their fairs, as premiums upon horticultural exhibits.

The society has heretofore proffered exchange of volumes to kindred organizations in other states; but the practice seems to a considerable extent to have fallen into disuse. Believing the practice to be a desirable one in many respects, I have recently prepared and sent out a circular, inviting a continuance or a resumption of such practice. This action is quite too recent to have secured responses generally, but those so far received have been favorable.

With the limited salary allowed our secretary, he is expected to devote only a portion of his time to the society's matters. Doubtless for this reason, at least in part, is due the circumstance of the very late appearance of the volume of the transactions for 1889. The previous volumes have usually been issued and distributed at a comparatively much earlier date; and we suggest that, whatever may prove to have been the cause of the delay, measures be taken to insure their prompt issue in the future. The occasion of such delay may be expected to appear from the secretary's report.

Upon the organization of the Detroit International Exposition, this society was invited to frame the horticultural portion of its premium list, and to assume entire charge of the collection, arranging and conducting of such exhibit; which was done in a manner very satisfactory to both parties concerned as well as apparently to the public. A similar combination occurred at the exposition of this year; but the date fixed for the fair proved quite too early for any save the very early fruits, leaving the staple fruits of the state practically shut out from any but local exhibitions, and precluding to a great extent the important educational features of such exhibit, out of which, in a good degree, have grown the high reputation of our state for the quality and correctness of its exhibitions.

It would seem that neither the society nor the state can afford to abandon the vantage ground it has so long held, as, in some sense, a monitor in pomology; and, Barnum like, assume the role of showman, as was, in large measure, the case with the horticultural display of 1890, at the Detroit. Exposition, beautiful and extensive as it really was.

In view of the circumstances stated I recommend that an expert committee be appointed at this meeting, charged with the duty of carefully considering this whole subject, and devising means to remedy the difficul ties growing out of it, and instructed to report at the next meeting of the society.

The occurrence of the coming Columbian Exposition at Chicago, almost at our doors, with the recognized standing of Michigan as a fruitgrowing state, constitute weighty reasons why our society should move earnestly, and at once, in the matter. There are very many important particulars to develop and to properly prepare for which imperatively requires that preparations be commenced with the opening of next spring; and this requires that plans be matured and arrangements effected during the leisure of the coming winter.

It will doubtless be recognized as a necessity that a liberal appropriation for the occasion be made by the incoming legislature. To insure that horticulture shall receive due consideration in such enactments, an

efficient legislative committee, to present its claims and set forth its needs, may fairly be deemed indispensable to prevent its being dwarfed and crowded aside as a merely incidental matter. Nothing short of a distinct commission, with sufficient means at their disposal, will be found adequate

to the occasion.

It may doubtless be reasonably anticipated that the state board of agriculture, including the Agricultural college and the experiment station, will cooperate with the society in these matters.

As one of its closing enactments, the last national congress elevated the late commissionership of agriculture to the dignity of a secretaryship— constituting its head one of the confidential advisers of the President. During his administrations as commissioner, Mr. Coleman, among other things, organized and launched a division of pomology, placing H. E. Van Deman, formerly of Kansas, at its head. During the first year or two the new division was hampered by the very limited appropriation provided for the doing of its work; but the allowance for the present year, though by no means adequate for the much there is to be done, is yet considerably larger than that of the previous years, and thereupon the division, among other things, has addressed itself to the effort to systematize and develop the science as well as the practice of pomology. One of the most important steps in this direction is felt to be the bringing of the division into more intimate relationship with those engaged in fruit culture, in its various branches, throughout the country.

Soon after the increased appropriation had become a certainty, I was tendered an appointment as special agent of the division of pomology, charged with the duty of attempting to inaugurate an effective system of coöperation, more especially in the west and northwest, between the division and the various horticultural organizations of the country, including any and all such granges and agricultural societies as may include horticulture or pomology in the sphere of their operations.

Previously to the tender of such appointment, however, I had entered into arrangements with the state board of agriculture to conduct a branch of the state Hatch experiment station, under their charge, at South Haven, the same to be devoted mainly to the testing of new fruits; my own previously-planted ten acres of land, together with five acres adjacent, contributed by the citizens of South Haven, being occupied for this purpose. Owing to such previous engagement, I could only undertake to devote a portion of my time to the work of the division; and, after consultation with those representing the board of agriculture, with their approval, I accepted the proposed special agency, undertaking to devote a portion of my time to its duties.

This agency presents an altogether new field of operations, and the full development of the plan of operations must necessarily await the result of conferences with the various organizations concerned.

It is at present proposed that I visit various state and other pomological and horticultural organizations; and, from conferences with them, and a consequently more perfect acquaintance with their needs, as well as their preferences, deduce and perfect a general plan of operations.

This meeting affords occasion for the first step in the proposed process, to be followed by visits to societies in Indiana, Illinois, and possibly Kentucky, within the coming two weeks, and also others at later dates.

The division, on its own part, proposes to distribute its bulletins and other publications, either directly to the societies, or to persons whose

addresses shall be supplied for the purpose; in addition to which, it will be able to supply more or less of the publications of other and kindred divisions, among which are those of mycology, botany, forestry, entomology and perhaps others, including the general report of the head of the department.

Specimens of new or rare fruits and plants, as well as of those to be sent for identification, are invited; for which, on application, mailing boxes and postage will be supplied; or, if preferred, application may be made to me instead, at my headquarters at South Haven, Michigan.

At present the division and, in fact, the entire department, is in narrow quarters; in consequence of which their operations are more or less hampered or embarrassed; a state of affairs which, it is hoped, may be remedied in the not remote future. It is also hoped that the division may soon be authorized and, by appropriations for the purpose, enabled to collect and distribute for trial, seeds, plants, and cuttings of rare, valuable, or new and promising fruits, and other horticultural products; and that it may be supplied with facilities, which it yet lacks, for the propagation of such for dissemination.

On the part of the societies it is proposed that they furnish lists of their officers and members, one or both, with their postoffice addresses, the same to be corrected as often as needful.

Also that they maintain a standing committee or committees of persons qualified to respond, as fully and correctly as practicable, to such circu lars or other communications, calling for information, as the division may from time to time send forth.

It may quite possibly be found desirable that such societies shall supply the division with the addresses of such local horticultural societies, agricultural societies, granges, and other local organizations, as may become affiliated with them in matters pertaining to pomology, or general or special horticulture; though just what action shall be found preferable in this direction, must depend upon future developments.

There are probably other means by which the society and the division may be able to mutually aid each other in the important work of developing, systematizing, and generally advancing and building up the important and growing horticultual interests of our common country. Just where, how, and to what extent these operations shall be carried, it is a leading purpose of the contemplated system of visits to develop and determine.

Probably the most serious embarrassment with which this society has to contend, is a lack of the memberships from which its chief source of means for the defraying of its.unavoidable expenses must necessarily be mainly derived. The fact that while so many persons readily avail themselves of the facilities afforded by our periodical gatherings, as well as of the annual volumes published at a large expense to the society, and this in a state so extensively devoted to this class of interests, is but a sad commentary upon the public spirit, not to say upon the ordinary sense of right and propriety, of its horticulturists as a body.

It is hoped that the many and decided advantages to grow out of the contemplated co-operation, with the National division, as already proposed, may be so employed by the society as to largely add to its list of active, paying members, and to its means of general effectiveness.

Yet another source whence an increased membership may, perchance, be educed, would seem to lie in a possible arrangement with the authorities in

charge of the state experiment station, and even with the State Agricultural College also, by means of which their publications also may become available to those becoming members of the society.

ANNUAL REPORT OF SECRETARY.

It is cause for thankfulness and congratulation to Michigan fruitgrowers, that at the close of the most disastrous year they have ever experienced, they find no diminution of either faith or interest in their calling. No one supposed that the enormous business of fruitgrowing in Michigan rested upon such slight foundation that one or two seasons of minimum crops or total failure of some kinds of fruit could overturn it; still it is a comfort amid misfortune to have this fact demonstrated.

While the failure of all the large fruits may correctly be said to have been general, there were many local exceptions as to the apple crop and a few as to the peach. In the former case the favorable yields were by individual orchards mainly, but the peach yielded good crops in the southeastern parts of the state and in Mason county, while Oceana county growers had a partial but highly remunerative crop. The plum crop of Oceana was less than half that of last year, but of fine quality and sold at high prices. Pears were scarce everywhere, and grapes everywhere abundant, a complete reversal of the conditions of 1889. The berry crop was nowhere a full one and the season everywhere was light.

It was a rich harvest, however, for the evaporator men. While they paid comparatively high prices for stock which in ordinary years would be touched by nothing but the hogs, their sales have been at unprecedented rates. This paves the way for a good season in 1891, whatever the extent of the crop, for, long before apples come again, not a pound of evaporated fruit will remain in the country.

Michigan was never before so overrun by apple buyers, nor the secretary of this society so importuned, by letter and in person, for information as to where apples could be obtained. Yet this part of his work is likely to increase year by year, as the extent and the labors of this society become more and more known. The secretary should in the future secure, from time to time through the season, reports from members or societies throughout the state, so as to have detailed knowledge of crop conditions and be prepared to give reliable information to all such inquirers. Such as he possessed this year was the means of securing many more competitors for purchase of the fresh fruit and the location within the state of many evaporators or buyers of evaporator stock. In this line, especially in seasons of a scant general supply, the society can render to the growers a service of great and direct financial value.

But this season of scarcity and failure does not seem to have appreciably decreased the tendency to set new fruit plantations, unless it be as to those of the peach in the southwestern part of the state, where two successive winter-killings of the fruit buds may have such an effect. But plantings of the plum, pear, grape, and especially the apple, are unchecked.

Such a season as the last or its predecessor is not a favorable time for pushing schemes for cheaper transportation, because, with prevailing high prices, the sum paid for carriage cuts a deal less figure than when it becomes a large fraction of the margin of profit or equals or even exceeds it. Yet the growers of Mason and Oceana counties got large concessions from boat and railway companies, and some gain in this line was made at