SECRETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 421 



in the constant habit of attending its meetings and profiting by its discussions, 

 and the courtesies of the people with whom they are held, without considera- 

 tion of any kind, leaving the burdens to fall upon a few public-spirited persons. 



At the annual meeting, last winter, at Allegan, this difficulty came under 

 consideration, in connection with the question how best to reach and influence 

 the broad regions of the State in which the society is absolutely without mem- 

 bership, and, at the same time, give itself some adequate basis of support, in 

 case its present necessarily uncertain process of winning pecuniary support 

 should become no longer available. 



The result of a careful consideration of these difficult questions was a plan 

 for the organization of local auxiliary societies. It was not and is not proposed 

 to sell the annual volumes of transactions to these societies, or to any body else, 

 but merely to place the membership fee of local societies high enough to cover 

 both memberships, leaving still the usual fee in the treasury of the local soci- 

 ety, and making the officers of such societies the medium, and its membership, 

 to a considerable extent, the basis for the distribution of such volumes, by pro- 

 viding that each member of the local society shall receive a copy. 



The plan looked, not to rendering the local society subordinate, but rather to 

 affording a means through which the state society could aid local organizations, 

 by making them the medium for the distribution of circulars, books, and in- 

 formation in various forms, as well as the sources whence should spring the 

 invitations for the holding of its periodical meetings, and the arrangements 

 through which they could be made interesting and profitable. 



It is certainly true that the transactions of the State Pomological Society 

 are published by the State, but it is equally true that the society is made the 

 custodian of a portion of the same, and that it is by law required to exercise a 

 discretion in their distribution. This it has endeavored to do, and it is being 

 done under the impression that the payment of the usual fee of member- 

 ship in the society constitutes the best possible evidence that such person is 

 likely to make a wise use of such volume. 



HOW TO MAKE A POMOLOGIST AND FARMER. 



The following letter was sent to Mr. P. C. Reynolds, editor of Rural Home, 

 and his reply published in that paper gives so many good hints that we gladly 

 give it a place here : 



Dear Sir : — You will find it in your power to oblige me greatly by sending 

 me answers to the following questions, with such additional remarks as you 

 can, to aid the intent of this investigation, which is to learn how to make a 

 pomologist and a farmer out of the common boy. 



First — What general education should a boy designed for a fruit-grower and 

 farmer receive? 



Second — What special studies will be required? 



Third — Must such a boy be trained in chemistry and botany? 



Fourth — Will entomology be of any service in enabling him to protect his 

 vines and crops from insects? 



Fifth — Should microscopy constitute a part of his acquirements? Are many 

 of the pests of farm, garden, and orchard, small enough to require microscopic 

 aid in their discovery and extermination? 



