THE ANNUAL MEETING. 181 



the society's membership, by rendering it practicable for most persons to 

 retain their dollars ; at the same time participating in its discussions, and 

 securing its published transactions free. 



Considering that it was the obvious intent of the Legislature, in providing 

 for the issue of these volumes, to insure that they be so distributed as to best 

 advance the object of their issue (an object clearly secured by distributing 

 them only to persons interested in horticulture), the board at last fixed upon 

 the plan of increasing the membership of the society through the organiza- 

 tion of auxiliary societies, and constituting such societies its agents in such 

 distribution, with their members as the first and preferred participants. It 

 was clearly indispensable that such local societies should supply some evidence 

 of their fitness for this work ; and also some responsibility for its proper per- 

 formance ; while, at the same time, the State society should not assume the 

 labor and expense of the preparation and distribution, and yet abandon all 

 participation in the benefits to be derived therefrom. This it is hoped to 

 secure by means of such auxiliary organizations. 



At the last June meeting, at Battle Creek, the society, in pursuance of pre- 

 vious notice, adopted a revised and amended constitution, by the terms of 

 which it assumed, in name, as it has for a long time done in practice, to be a 

 horticultural society. This, it is assumed, is not expected to make it less a 

 pomological society, than it has heretofore been ; but it would seem proper to 

 invite your consideration of the question, whether under the new designation, 

 we may not properly take measures to invite cooperation, on the part of very 

 many who may have felt themselves disassociated with us on account of the sig- 

 nification of our former title. By the terms of our by-laws now in force, we 

 are warranted in so doing, whenever it shall be found wise or expedient. 

 How far and in what manner this change should influence our arrangements, 

 for and in connection with our various exhibitions, including their time, scope, 

 and extent, would seem to call for much and careful consideration. 



A similar care should be given to the question — how far the change should 

 be allowed to affect the selection, and consideration of subjects for discussion ; 

 and it would seem wise to consider well whether under the new "regime" we 

 cannot so arrange as to give more prominence to subjects of special interest 

 to ladies, and, in so doing, increase their attendance at our meetings, and 

 secure their more general cooperation with us. 



Our very efficient secretary has heretofore taken measures to bring before 

 the people of the State, and before the conservators of our schools, the impor- 

 tance of rendering the school buildings and grounds, where so much must be 

 done towards moulding the tastes of those who are soon to be "the people," 

 and from whom are to come our future rulers, as well as our horticulturists, 

 more attractive, and better fitted to aid in moulding wisely and well. Michi- 

 gan is justly proud of her schools and her school system; but we may well 

 pause before we venture to add that she has reason to be proud of her school- 

 houses — especially her country school-houses, and of the grounds that usually 

 surround them. We ask the earnest and thoughtful attention of the society 

 to the consideration of measures for improvement in this direction. 



Michigan has come to be recognized as one of the leading States, if not 

 even the leading State of the northwest, so far as the culture of fruit is con- 

 cerned. That this prominence is justly accorded, we fully believe. Still we 

 are convinced that her capabilities in this respect are but partially known or 

 appreciated. 



Thoughtful men, conscious how rapidly and wastefully our sheltering man- 



