PEOCEEDIXGS OF THE WIXTEE MEETDCG. 29 



branch societies and other fruit organizations, or from indi^-id^lals 

 representing different counties or sections in the state. A specified sum 

 for the remuneration of each exhibitor should be named, and everx- plate 

 of fruit on exhibition should be accompanied by a card giving the full 

 characteristics of each fruit and comparative value in the location where 

 grown. I would include berries, and all fruits out of season which can be 

 shown in the best possible state of preser^'ation. I would have the fruit 

 accessible to all, and every facility given visitors to study specimens at 

 their leisure. I would charge an admission fee which should approximate 

 to the expenses. 



•' Eegi-etting my inability to attend your meeting and participate in the 

 discussion of the important topics on your progi'amme, and hoping 

 that the future of your society may be as useful and instructive as the 

 past. I remain vours very truly, 



W. A. BEOwy." 



President Lyox read the following paper introductory to the subject, 



THE FTTI'RE OF THIS SOCIETY. 



•' The earlier history of agricultural as well as horticultural exhibitions 

 in our state, is replete with indications that, to insui'e success, novelty 

 must he made a prominent element in any effort to attract public attention 

 adequate to the realization of profitable pecuniary results. 



"The State Agricultural society-, small comparatively as were its earlier 

 exhibits, was able generally to render them nearly or quite self-support- 

 ing; but in order to insure this they were necessarily expanded from 

 year to year, till the increased expense of management compelled the 

 doubling of the gate fees, and even this, coupled with various extraneous 

 attractions, has, for years past, so far failed of its purpose that reserved 

 means have been cb"awn upon to supply deficiencies, till such means have 

 become nearly or quite exhausted. 



"The experience of the state society, in this respect, seems also to have 

 been almost invariably that of county as well as of other local organiza- 

 tions. 



■"It appears obvious that so general a result is not to be attributed to 

 any merely local cause, but that it is rather due to a surfeit of public 

 interest in displays of this character; or, in other words, that the public 

 have been treated to an excess of fairs and other similar displays. 



"Although the State Horticultural society- has, from its inception, 

 held its fairs in coujiinction with those of other organizetions, and. for 

 many years past, with those of the State Agricultural society, it has by no 

 means, been able to avoid the consequence of the tendencies already 

 described. Its receipts from memberships have at no period of its exist- 

 ence sufficed to meet its necessary expenses, the lack having been largely 

 supplied by the proceeds of extra labor rendered without consideration 

 by its officers and fiiends, in bringing together and conducting portions of 

 the exhibitions of other societies. 



'• Doubtless owing mainly to the cause already referred to. this means of 

 eking out the wherewith to reimburse our expenses, is now, at least for the 

 present, at an end, and we are brought face to face with the question. "What 

 next ?■ 



"For such purpose, the first thought is. naturally, to increase our mem- 



