THE SECRETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 219 



ground, discard that part of its name which relates to only one department of 

 horticulture, and adopt the name of "the Michigan State Horticultural (Soci- 

 ety," thus giving prominence, care, and guidance, not only to one, hut to 

 every department of Horticulture. Indeed, the Society has already done some- 

 thing for the advancement of horticulture in general, hy publicly noticing the 

 display of plants, floAvcrs, and vegetables at the regular meetings of the Soci- 

 ety ; but more especially by the premiums awarded in the horticultural depart- 

 ment at the fairs of the State Agricultural Society, thus indicating a willing- 

 ness to act in concert with the florists and the vegetable gardeners. 



The orchard in full blossom is a beautiful object; it attracts the attention of 

 the passers-by ; but if, in addition thereto, the surroundings of the dwelling are 

 made beautiful by the introduction of ornamental trees and plants, a smooth 

 lawn and a well cultivated kitchen garden, the passer-by is very apt to linger 

 and admire, and say, here dwells peace, pleasure, and home comfort; here are 

 attractions for the old and the young; it must be a pleasant, happy home. So, 

 too, the meetings of the Pomological Society are far more pleasant and attrac- 

 tive when the room is ornamented with flowering plants and bouquets of flow- 

 ers. A good display of choice culinary esculents does not detract from the 

 interest and beauty of the show. 



The value of botanical knowledge, and information with regard to insects 

 and birds, what insects and birds to destroy and which to protect, is not con- 

 fined to any one department of horticulture, but snch information is valuable 

 to all alike. 



This Society, I am glad to say, recognizes and appreciates the value to its 

 members of this kind of information, and this appreciation is frequently mani- 

 fested in the programme of its exercises. 



The pomologist finds that he is annoyed by the depredations of insects, and 

 it soon occurs to him that it would be well to know what the insects are, their 

 names and habits. If he is not already posted in this regard he seeks informa- 

 tion from those who have by observation and study become familiar with the 

 subject. The habits of some of the birds are a mystery to him ; he is apt to- 

 think that if the robins are of any service, which he sometimes doubts, they 

 overpay themselves by stealing some of his fruit and damaging more. The- 

 florists and the vegetable gardeners are similarly situated. 



In view of all this, I will now advocate, as I have done before, the striking 

 out of the name the word "pomological" and inserting in its place the word 

 "horticultural," that the Society may be known as the "Michigan State Horti- 

 cultural Society," and that all horticulturists, whether engaged more especially 

 in one or all of its departments, may feel that under this name they are in full, 

 fellowship with all of its members, while under its present name the florists and 

 vegetable gardeners cannot. 



J. C. Holmes. 



POMOLOGICAL VERSUS HORTICULTURAL. 



To the President and Members of the Michigan State Pomological Society : 



Gentlemen, — 1 wish to present for your consideration, a few thoughts on. 

 the subject of the proposed change of name of our society, and a few of the 

 reasons why I am opposed to it. 



