TBANS ACTIONS AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. 101 



demonstration ; well, granted, yet it is one that fits the facts ; ac- 

 counts for the different forms of phenomena under consideration ; 

 relieves from most of the puzzles and perplexities connected with 

 this subject. A plausible theory may not be correct, but it is 

 more likely to be near the mark than a faulty demonstration. 



Society Finances. — The appropriation granted to the society 

 by the legislature for the two past years has been a great aid in 

 carrying on its work. We trust that the manner in which the 

 money has been expended will meet the approval of the members 

 of the present legislature, and that they will be disposed to grant 

 us further aid in the promotion of the horticultural interests of 

 the state. A bill has been introduced for this purpose. It is to 

 be hoped that the society, by the economical and judicious use of 

 its means and faithfulness in the performance of its work, will 

 ever retain the confidence of the public, and continue to receive 

 the needed aid from the state. But public favor is fickle and un- 

 certain, and it would seem to be wise to provide a fund to help 

 where other means fail. A number of state societies have made 

 provision for such fund by a system of life memberships, making 

 a permanent investment of the fees and of the interest from them, 

 where not needed for expenses. The Massachusetts Horticultural 

 Society has a life membership of 588, with a fee of thirty dollars 

 each. The Michigan Pomological Society has 150 members with 

 ten dollar fees. It has been urged that this would diminish the 

 number of annual members and hence cut off receipts from this 

 source; but where tried, the annual membership has remained 

 about the same, and. by a judicious investment, the life members' 

 fees each year bring in an income equal to the same number of 

 annual dues. At first the receipts from this source would be 

 small, too small to be properly appreciated perhaps ; but once 

 started, the amount would gradually increase and at last become a 

 valuable aid in carrying out the mission of the society. Unfortu- 

 nately most of the members of such organizations think they are 

 not able to make investments of this kind, but it may be an in- 

 ducement to some to make the necessary sacrifice, that in this 

 way their annual dues will continue to come in, and their life's 

 work be carried on years after their active labors have ended. 



