116 TRANSACTIONS OF THE HORTICULTURAL 



conditions do not exist. We may, therefore, conclude that the 

 work we are doing is important, and that, notwithstanding the 

 discouragements that beset us, we must steadily press forward with 

 the assurance that the result will, in time, appear. 



A word in relation to the practical working of the Society may 

 not be out of place. Our last two meetings have been held in the 

 hot and listless month of August, when professional men, and others 

 who can afford it, take their vacation, when farmers and horticul- 

 turists are wearied with the severe labor of the harvest season, and 

 all feel that if they are entitled to a few days' respite from labor, 

 they would prefer to lie in the hammock in the shade, than bother 

 their brains to write papers, or endure the heat and dust of a journey 

 of one or two hundred miles to attend a horticultural meeting. My 

 experience in securing ladies and gentlemen to take part in these 

 meetings is such that I feel constrained to suggest a change of date, 

 and know of no more favorable time than June. The objection to 

 this month is that strawberry men are too busy to attend, but it is 

 possible that it can be so arranged as to meet before the berry crop 

 ripens. 



I also think we could accomplish the greater good by meeting 

 in new fields. There are many such in Central Illinois, some of them 

 having large commercial fruit interests, others only an amateur 

 interest in the work. I hope we shall receive invitations from one 

 or more localities of this kind. 



Since the Secretary's last annual report the following orders 

 have been drawn on the Treasurer : 



Phil Dallam, printing $13.25 



A. C. Hammond, expenses of Secretary's Office 10.40 



Bessie M. Nash, expense bill 10.00 



C. C. Hoppe, expense bill 1 . 50 



Phil Dalian, printing 8.25 



Total $43.40 



TREASURER'S REPORT. 



BY. DR. LYMAN HALL, CHAMPAIGN. 



To the President and Members of the 



Horticultural Society of Central Illinois: 



Gentlemen: Your Treasurer would herewith submit his annual 

 condition of the finances of said society. 



