Secretary's Annual Report. 27 



Another year in the history of our Society has passed, and I now return that 

 trust and ask, at least, that you cover my shortcomings with the mantle of 

 charity. 



Those of you who have not had personal experience in performing the du- 

 ties of secretary to an association like this, can hardly realize the magnitude 

 of the work required. 



The volume of Transactions that has gone out from this oilice is on its mis- 

 sion : let us trust of good. Its publication was undertaken under financial 

 discouragements, but,acting under the pledge of our good Treasurer and other 

 true friends of the Society, I made myself individually responsible to the 

 publishers and proceeded with the work. 



Slowly, and by dint of hard work and much correspondence, the list of 

 members and directory patrons grew, until, by comparison of receipts and 

 expenses, the volume was paid for, distributed to members, and a few dol- 

 lars (less than $25.00) remained. In addition, there remains of the edition 

 of Transactions of 1883 near three hundred and fifty copies. 



This result was quite satisfactory, if not unexpected, on the part of the 

 friends of the Society. 



Eegarding the valuable paper of Prof. Forbes, on Insects Affecting the 

 Strawberry, as too valuable to lose on so small an edition, I ordered, after 

 getting the President's consent, seven hundred copies in paper covers, printed 

 separately. The expense of publication has already been covered by receipts 

 from copies sold, and a few yet remain in my hands. 



With regard to the future of the Mississippi Valley Horticultural Society, 

 I would say that at least one important problem remains for solution, viz : 



How SHALL A MORE GENERAL AND GENEROUS SUPPORT BE SECURED? 



The publications of this Society m.ay be made almost invaluable in their 

 character. By a judicious selection of topics and contributors, each succeed- 

 ing volume of Transactions maybe made more and more valuable. The pre- 

 paration, publication and distribution of a large edition may be iicrformed 

 at a much less price per volume than a small edition. The one thing desir- 

 able, therefore, is to secure a large demand for our reports. The States 

 within the Mississippi valley, almost without exception, have State societies. 

 These generally enjoy a share of public patronage, and exist by legal author- 

 ity. Let such, in their official capacity, take an interest in the welfare of 

 this Society; let them aid in extending its usefulness and the circulation of 

 its reports. This may be done by taking a number of its reports at prices 

 covering cost of publication, and distributing them to hand fide members of 

 such societies, along with the membership fee, at such prices as would at 

 once stimulate and increase the membership in State and local societies. 

 The reports of this Society might also be offered by State societies as prizes to 

 be awarded on fruits and other horticultural products at exhibitions held 

 under the auspices of the various State societies. 



The agricultural and horticultural press could also greatly aid in tlie dis- 

 tribution of the Transactions of this Society, by clubbing arrangements that 



