ANNUAL MEETING. 129 



the most convenient time for all departments. This date is too early for long- 

 keeping api)les, pears, and even the latest peaches and plums. 



With the exception of strawberries aird the earlier cherries, the exhibition of 

 whicli is provided for at the June meeting, late cherries, raspberries, curratits, 

 gooseberries, blaclcbcrries, early apj)les, pears, peaches, plums, and grapes, are 

 rarely if ever exhibited in good condition for examination and the correction 

 of nomenclature, and with the growth of the small fruit interest in our State, 

 it becomes increasingly important that tlie society adopt the best practicable 

 means to aid growers and phmters in the identification of varieties, and the 

 correction of erroneous names, as well as to familiarize them with varieties 

 under correct names. 



The society has now, for a considerable period, been designated as Tlorti- 

 cultural. To bo true to the greater scope of effort implied in this cluinge, it 

 should study well the new and broad field now open to it, and consider what 

 constitutes a tliorough occupancy of it. 



When we contemplate tiie immense sum annually expended in the construc- 

 tion of rural homes and their surroundings, and consider how large a propor- 

 tion of such cost might, by a reasonable economy, be saved and devoted to 

 purposes of comfort, taste, and pleasure, in connection with the routine of 

 every day life, may we not well consider how most effectually to encourage 

 the development of correct tasie in these particulars. 



1. In architecture, as applied to village, suburban, and rural homes, and 

 out-buildings. . 



2. In the appropriate laying out and planting of the surrounding grounds, 

 and their after keeping. 



As a means of instruction, affording useful hints of an architectural char- 

 acter applicable to rural homes, the inducements the society may be able to 

 offer should suffice to induce an occasional contribution in the way of plans 

 and estimates for residences, from even professional architects, which might, 

 perchance, be thought worthy of a place in the society's transactions. 



The same process might doubtless prove equally applicable to suburban and 

 village residences, although the necessity in this direction will hardly be con- 

 sidered equally great. 



Home ornamentation, both within and without the residence, may be con- 

 sidered as only less important than the foregoing. We here come more 

 directly within the sphere of woman's taste, and we can scarcely imagine any 

 step calculated to more certainly lead to success in this direction than the 

 securing of a thorough interest and hearty cooperation on her part, in the 

 work of impressing just ideas upon the public mind. 



As a means of bringing the several branches of this subject before those 

 especially concerned, we suggest the propriety of offering tlie diploma of the 

 society for plans and estimates for a farm residence of a specified value. 



For plans and estimates for a village or suburban residence of specified cost. 



For plans for ornamental grounds and out-buildings, appropriate for each 

 of the foregoing, including garden, orchards and yards. 



Secretary Garfield has for the past two years devoted more or less attention 

 to the subject of the ornamentation of country school grounds — a work in 

 which he has been highly complimented by many, both at home and abroad. 

 The work is of much importance, if only for the happy influence that pleasant 

 school surroundings may be expected to exert upon the youthful mind. I 

 suggest that, in view of the importance of the subject, he be accorded the 



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