State Horticultural Society

The 12th annual meeting of the State Horticultura! Society under the auspices of the Hillsdale and Lenawee Farmers' Union, convened at Hudson, Feb. 28, holding its first session in the afternoon. The attendance from abroad was very large. Among the delegation were Pres. T. F. Lyon, of South Haven; Sec'y Chas. W. Gar field, of Grand ïapids, and Treas. S. M. Pearsall, of ihe same city. Af ter prayer by Rev. Shier, of Hudon, a welcome address was made by ;he mayor, Pres. Lyon following with )rief remarks on the prosperity enjoyed y Michigan horticulturists. He want)d the work of improvement however o continue, and considered the free iscussion of topics pertaining to the armer's vocation an invaluable mode f education. Mr. Dorr, of Manchesier, read a paper on"Buildings in which o Preserve Fruit," in which he spoke 'avorably of the value of Michigan ruits, and proceeded to inquire, "How an we preserve winter fruit for the pring market ? He spoke of the inadjuacy of the farmer's cellar and of ;he patent cooling rooms, and had exerimented by building a house on his wn plan, on the "cold air system," sing no ice nor artificial heat in reguating temperature. He built on a side ill, facing the northeast, 22x42, 2 ;ories, the lower story of stone 2 feet lick, and lined with a four brick wall where exposed to the north. The upper .L story was of wood, walls 15 inches hick, and 10 inches thick with sawust. Had a ventilating tube of sheet ron, two feet in diameter, from the ïird floor to the attic. The fruit was ilaeed in bushei crates piled one apon he other. His experience was that ruit stored in such a building, could e kept until midsummer. Mr. S. B. [ann, of Adrián, and E. M. Potter, of valamazoo, read papers on Farm Im[ements. After vocal music, A. D [ealy, of South Haven, addressed the udience on "Fruit Packing." From lis experience in the Chicago markets, ie had found the pomologists of Westrn Michigan to be very unf air in their acking. He not only advised his ïearers to follow the "Golden Rule" in measurement, but likewise in properly ireparing the packages for the market - the buyer always appreciating neatly acked fruit from the grower. Enorsed in his opinions by "W. W. Tracy, f Detroit, E. H. Scott, of Ann Arbor, ad Prof. Beal, of Laniing, who spoke E instances where fruit had brought a ïigher price for being prcperly put up n good baskets, and squarely measred. Following another musical selection, 3. M. Potter, of Kalamazoo, interested ie aasembly with a creditable essay n Michigan nursery stock, telling of ie years of patiënt practice and obseration requisite to capablj conduct lis department of horticultura. He ated the good comparison Michigan makes in this direction with other ;ates. In the animated discussion 'ollowing these remarks it wasdecided y Messrs. Beal, Steere.Lyon, Fairfleld, and others, that a good horticulturist would never exposé roots, would patronize home institutions, and that trees annot be exposed while transplanting. W. W. Tracy, of Detroit, read a aper on "Seeds, How made and what ure they good for?" He spoke of the number and abundance of our flora, the number of species being estimated at f rom 75,000 to 150,000, and the means of securing variety, chiefly by transplantation, and showed the importance of a careful selection of seeds. Prof. Beal entertained the meeting with a nicely written paper on the childken's garden, In which the experiences of his little 12 year-old daughter and companlons in gardening was told, in brief as follows: At flrst she found much to discourage, but as she persevered she became interested in the study of horticulture. She found the field pumpkin most profitable, for she could sell that to the boys at four cents apiece, for jack lanterns. Then she took a fancy to Docer's Improved Lima beans, which "lie close together in the pod and don't waste a bit of room;" also the early turnip beets, with tops for greens, and bottoms good for cooking. But no cabbages ; the worms were too many for her. The Professor went on to indícate her preference, which favored green corn, early lettuce - Ferry's Prize Head - martymas, yellow globe onions, a little parsley, and the better varieties of peas, but neglecting cucumbers and squashes. She had learned that it is a good thing to hoe a garden and keep the weeds down. The experience has tended to make her neat and particular, and increase her interest in the garden. The Professor urged the study of horticulture, particularly in our -public schools. "Horticulture as an adjunct of the farm" was discussed Wednesday morning, af ter which E. D. Pierson oï II udson read a paper on "The Orchard." Planting on a rich, rolling soil was urged, the use of rye straw to protect mice and rabbits, and the disuse of twisted hay. In setting, dig holes five feet in diameter and two deep. Mr. Stowell of Hudson read a paper on "The Garden" ; and Secretary Garfleld and Thomas Moore of Medina, made remarks on "IIorticuHure about the house," urging that farmers lake more pains to make home pleasant and beautif ui. The subject drifted to the school ground, and Prof. Beals urged that they should be laid out with nicer care and taste, and planted with trees and shrubbery, and he offered a resolution expressing the opinión that the ground for a country school house should not be less than an acre in area. "Horticulture in the house" was the subiect of a paper read by Mary ÏT. Allen of Hillsdale, and "Hortieulture by the highway" of one by B. W. Steere of Adrián, who advocated the cultivation of tree3 along the highway, and the proper care of those nature hád planted. He was followed by Mr. Underwood and Mr. Reynolds, of Monroe, who debated the question of whether fruit trees should be planted at the roadside, Mr. Steere averring that they were too short-lived. After a sumptuous feast at Union Hall, the society met again at 2o'clock, Mr. Harkness, President of Farmers' Union in the chair.' A beautiful duet was sung by A. D. Brown and Miss Emma Schemerhorn, and was duly appreciated. Prayer by Rev. Colton. E. II. Scott spoke iirst on "Honest Packing," which he said was the keynote of pomology. Every package should contain what the tap reprepresented. He recommended the packing of different grades of apples by themselves. His doctrine óf honesty was endorsed by all the speakers following, who related the different tricks practiced by dishonest dealers and packers. President Lyon told about "the knife and when to use it." The younger the tree the better the man who buys it. Use the knife when you first get the tree and trim the roots with a smooth cut He thought to wash the tree with lye would protect it against borers. Avoid forked branches in fruit trees. Vlr. Beal advocated low branches. Had ;ot to cultivating as low as a few inches )f the ground. Mr. James Satterlee took up the next subject, "Advertiging at fairs." Thought none but rightly ;rowed fruit should be exhibited. Thought it a great benefit to have repressntations at fairs. Mr. Eow and Stowell spoke of the good reputation Michigan enjoyed as a fruit state. PriDr to the adjournment a runnicg diseussion took place on peaches, pears ind grapes. In the evening A. D. Healy read a aper on Horticultural Education, vhich was folio wed by discussion. Dr. 3 wen introduced "Horticulture in the ïome," and dwelt on the ueed of providing the means of horticultural education for the joung, both in houseïolds and schools. Such means are jooks and papers on fruits, flowers and gardening. The report of the fruit committee in he evening showed that, all things considered, the exhibition had been creditable. By the refrigerating proeess, samples of Sweet Bough, Yellow 3arvest,and Maiden Blush were shown y Mr. Dora, of Manchester, in excelent condition. Many others produced samples of fruit green and dried, showng what may be done to keep fruit up ;o a late period of the season. Tbe meeting was well attended, enthusiastie and profitable. The addressea were all of invaluable mportanee, as were the animated discussions. The Horticultural Society and the Farmers' Union of Hillsdale and Lenawee counties are well pleased with the success of the instituto. S.